It's complicated: The impact of marriage legalization among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals in the United States

Abstract

This mixed-methods study explored perceptions of the impact of marriage legalization in all U.S. states among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals. Survey data were collected from a nonprobability sample of individuals 18 years or older who identified as lesbian, bisexual, queer, same-sex attracted or something other than exclusively heterosexual-as well as individuals who identified as transgender or gender nonbinary (for example, genderqueer, trans woman, trans man, nonbinary, or gender non-conforming). The analytic sample included 418 participants in an online survey who responded to open-ended questions about the perceived impact of marriage legalization. Qualitative analyses revealed perceptions of marriage legalization that situated individual meanings in the context of broader political and social factors. Four themes represented the complex perceptions of participants about marriage legalization: 1) establishing a victory in civil rights, social inclusion, and acceptance; 2) creating a paradox between positives of legalization and limitations of marriage as an institution; 3) amplifying concerns for unaddressed safety and rights issues; and 4) contributing to the erosion of queer identity and community. Quantitative analyses revealed several differences by demographic characteristics, such as greater concern about the erosion of community among unmarried participants compared to participants who were married. Findings underscore the importance of policies that advance equality for sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), as well as the importance of research exploring how policies are perceived by and impact SGM subpopulations.

Keywords: gender nonbinary; marriage legalization; sexual minority women; transgender.