Census Snapshots
This
series of studies written by various Williams Institute
researchers provides state-level demographic and economic information
about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children
across the country.
Eventually,
the series will include all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and
Puerto Rico.
Please click on one of the following states to read the full report:
Alaska,
Alabama,
Arizona,
Arkansas,
California,
Colorado,
Connecticut,
Delaware,
District of Columbia,
Florida,
Georgia,
Hawaii,
Idaho,
Illinois,
Indiana,
Iowa,
Kansas,
Kentucky,
Louisiana,
Maine,
Maryland,
Massachusetts,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Mississippi,
Missouri,
Montana,
Nebraska,
Nevada,
New Hampshire,
New Jersey,
New Mexico,
New York,
New York City,
North Carolina,
North Dakota,
Ohio,
Oklahoma,
Oregon,
Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island,
South Carolina,
South Dakota,
Tennessee,
Texas,
Utah,
Vermont,
Virginia,
Washington,
West Virginia,
Wisconsin,
Wyoming.
Puerto Rico.
The United States.
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Same-Sex
Spouses and Unmarried Partners in the American Community Survey,
2008
By Gary J Gates
September 2009
The US Census Bureau release of data from the 2008 American
Community Survey (ACS) included the first official estimates
for the number of same-sex couples who called one partner a
“husband” or “wife”. This report compares these same-sex
spousal couples to those who designated a partner as an
“unmarried partner”. Comparisons are also made with
comparable different-sex couples.
Same-Sex Spouses
and Unmarried Partners in the American Community Survey,
2008 |
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Same-Sex
Couples in the 2008 American Community Survey
By Gary J Gates
September 2009
The US Census Bureau has released new data regarding
same-sex couples from the 2008 American Community Survey.
Notably, this marks the first time the Census Bureau has
released official estimates for the number of same-sex
spouses in the US. An estimated 149,956 same-sex couples
identified one partner as a husband or wife, and an
estimated 414,787 additional same-sex couples identified as
“unmarried partners”.
Same-Sex
Couples in the 2008 American Community Survey |
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The
Effects of Marriage Equality in Massachusetts: A survey of
the experiences and impact of marriage on same-sex couples
By Christopher Ramos, Naomi G.
Goldberg, and M.V. Lee Badgett
May 2009
May 17th, 2009 marks the 5th year of marriage equality in
the state of Massachusetts. To mark this anniversary, the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health conducted the
largest survey to date of married same-sex couples, the
Health and Marriage Equality in Massachusetts (HMEM) survey.
During the past year, four other states have extended
marriage to same-sex couples and several other states are
considering marriage legislation. The HMEM data allows us to
address important questions that arise as other states
consider whether to extend marriage to same-sex couples. The
data provides answers to several key questions: Who is
getting married? Why are same-sex couples getting married?
What impact has marriage had on same-sex relationships? And,
what impact has marriage had on the children of same-sex
couples?The
Effects of Marriage Equality in Massachusetts: A survey of
the experiences and impact of marriage on same-sex couples |
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Marriage
Equality and the Creative Class
By Gary J. Gates
May 2009
Data from the American Community
Survey suggest that marriage equality has a small but
positive impact on the number of individuals in same-sex
couples who are attracted to a state. However, marriage
equality appears to have a larger impact on the types of
individuals in same-sex couples who are attracted to a
state. This study shows that in Massachusetts marriage
equality resulted in an increase of younger, female, and
more highly educated and skilled individuals in same-sex
couples moving to the state.
Marriage
Equality and the Creative Class |
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The Business Boost from Marriage Equality: Evidence from the Health
and Marriage Equality in Massachusetts Survey
By Naomi G. Goldberg, Michael D. Steinberger, and M.V. Lee
Badgett
May 2009
This brief draws on two sources of data, a survey and
state-collected tax revenue data, and finds that marriages
have had a positive economic effect on Massachusetts –
likely providing a boost of over $100 million to the state
economy. Same-sex couples’ weddings injected significant
spending into the Massachusetts economy and brought
out-of-state guests to the state, whose spending also added
to the economic boost.
The Business Boost from Marriage Equality: Evidence from the Health
and Marriage Equality in Massachusetts Survey |
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Poverty
in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community
By Randy Albelda, M.V. Lee Badgett, Gary Gates, and Alyssa
Schneebaum
March 2009
This report undertakes the first analysis of the poor and
low-income lesbian, gay, and bisexual population. We find
clear evidence that poverty is at least as common in the LGB
population as among heterosexual people and their families.
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Census Snapshot: California Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
Population
By Gary J. Gates and Christopher Ramos
October 2008This report provides demographic and economic
information for the almost 861,000 LGB individuals and
109,000 same-sex couples living in California. We use the
2005/2006 American Community Survey (ACS), conducted by the
U.S. Census Bureau, to compare characteristics of same-sex
couples to their different-sex married counterparts. We use
data from the 2003 and 2005 California Health Survey to
consider demographic traits of the full lesbian, gay, and
bisexual population in the state. The study shows nearly 25%
of same-sex couples in California are raising more that
52,000 children. The study all shows that same-sex couples
raising children have fewer economic resources than their
heterosexual married counterparts.
Census
Snapshot: California Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Population |
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Census Snapshot: California's Asian/Pacific Islander Population
By Gary J. Gates and Christopher Ramos
October 2008
This report provides a general overview of Asian and Pacific
Islanders (API) in same-sex couples as well as the broader
API lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population in
California. Key findings include more than 66,000 Asians and
Pacific Islanders in California who identify as lesbian, gay
or bisexual and more than 14,500 APIs who are part of a
same-sex couple; over 34% of APIs in same-sex couples in
California are of Filipino descent; nearly a third (31%) of
API women and 21% of API men within same-sex couples are
raising children; API same-sex parents have fewer financial
resources to support their children than those in married
couples, with an average household income of $96,290
compared to $109,091 for APIs in different-sex married
couples.
Census Snapshot: California's
Asian/Pacific Islander Population
Press releases for this study available in the following
languages:
日本語/Japanese, Tiếng Việt/Vietnamese,
Tagalog, 中文/Chinese,
한국어/Korean.
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Census
Snapshot: California's Black LGB Population
By Gary J. Gates and Christopher Ramos
October 2008
This report provides a general overview of Black individuals
in same-sex couples as well as the broader Black lesbian,
gay, and bisexual (LGB) population in California. Key
findings include an estimated 55,000 Black lesbians, gay
men, and bisexuals live in California along with
approximately 7,400 Black men and women in same-sex couples
in the state; just under 9% of all Black men and women in
same-sex couples in the United States live in California,
second only to New York as the state with the most Black
people in same-sex couples; almost 55% of Black women and
11% of Black men in same-sex couples are raising children;
and, Black same-sex parents have fewer financial resources
to support their children than those in married couples,
with a median household income of $60,900 compared to
$76,000 for Black people in different-sex married couples.
Census
Snapshot: California's Black LGB Population |
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Census
Snapshot: California's Latino/Latina LGB Population
By Gary J. Gates and Christopher Ramos
October 2008
This study provides demographic and economic
information for the more than 200,000 LGB Latino/a
individuals and 52,410 Latinos/as in same-sex couples living
in California. The study shows that nearly half of
Latinas and 44% of Latinos in same-sex couples in California
are raising nearly 25,000 children. Other key findings
include more than 12% of the nation’s Latinos/as in same-sex
couples live in California, home to the largest number of
Latino/as in same-sex couples among all states and LGB
Latinos/as having similar citizenship rates as their
heterosexual counterparts; however, LGB Latinos/as are more
likely to be citizens by birth as opposed to naturalization.
Census
Snapshot: California's Latino/Latina LGB Population
Census Snapshot: California - La Comunidad Latina gay |
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Research
Note: Same-sex Marriages in California
October 2008
We surveyed California counties in order estimate the number
of same-sex couples who have married in the state in the
first three months since these marriages were made legal in
June, 2008. This estimate provides a context for the
potential impact of the upcoming California voter
initiative, Proposition 8, which would change California’s
Constitution to “eliminate the right of same-sex couples to
marry.” We estimate that more than 11,000 same-sex couples
have married in California between June 17 and September 17,
2008.
Research
Note: Same-sex Marriages in California |
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Gay and Lesbian Partnership: Evidence from California
By Christopher Carpenter and Gary J. Gates
August 2008
Much recent research on sexual minorities has used
couples-based samples, which—by construction—provide no
information on nonpartnered individuals. We present the
first systematic empirical analysis of partnership and
cohabitation among self-identified gay men and lesbians
using two independent, large, population-based data sources
from California. These data indicate that 37%–46% of gay men
and 51%–62% of lesbians aged 18–59 are in cohabiting
partnerships (compared with 62% of heterosexual individuals
in coresidential unions at comparable ages). Unlike previous
research, we find that white and highly educated gay men and
lesbians are more likely to be partnered, and we confirm
that same-sex cohabiting partners in our data have
demographic characteristics that are similar to California
same-sex couples from Census 2000. We also present the first
detailed analysis of officially registered domestic
partnerships in California. We find that almost half of
partnered lesbians are officially registered with the local
or state government, while less than a quarter of partnered
gay men are officially registered. We conclude with
implications of our findings for couples-based research on
gay men and lesbians, as well as recommendations for survey
data collection.
Gay and Lesbian Partnership: Evidence from California |
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Marriage,
Registration and Dissolution by Same-sex Couples in the U.S.
By Gary J.
Gates, M.V. Lee Badgett, and Deborah Ho
July 2008
This study analyzes data from states that have extended
legal recognition to same-sex couples. Analyses show that
same-sex couples want and use these new legal statuses.
Furthermore, they react more enthusiastically when marriage
is possible. More than 40% of same-sex couples have formed
legal unions in states where such recognition is available.
Same-sex couples prefer marriage over civil unions or
domestic partnerships. In the first year that marriage was
offered in Massachusetts, 37% of same-sex couples there
married. In states that offered civil unions, only 12% of
same-sex couples took advantage of this status in the first
year and only 10% did so in states with domestic partnership
registries.
Marriage,
Registration and Dissolution by Same-sex Couples in the U.S.
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Irish Men and Women in Same-Sex Partnerships in the
United States
By Gary J.
Gates
March 2008The Irish government has announced
its intention to enact a civil partnership law that
would for the first time offer formal legal
recognition to same-sex couples in the Republic of
Ireland. The 2006 Irish Census revealed that there
were 2,090 same-sex cohabiting couples in the country.
Analyses of data from the United States Census Bureau
suggest these are not the only couples who might avail
themselves of civil partnership:
• More than 1,200 Irish-born men and women are living
with a same-sex partner
in the United States.
• They are predominantly female and highly educated.
One in seven reports
raising children.
• Civil partnership legislation could provide economic
benefits to Ireland, enticing
some of these talented same-sex
couples to relocate back to Ireland and
making the country more competitive
in the global creative economy.
Irish
Men and Women in Same-Sex Partnerships in the United
States |
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Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S.
Census and the American Community Survey
By Gary J. Gates
November 2007
With the advent of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American
Community Survey (ACS), it is no longer necessary to
wait every ten years for the decennial census to
consider how the numbers of same-sex couples and
their geographic distribution might be changing
across the country. This research brief analyzes
geographic trends among same-sex couples using the
1990 and 2000 United States decennial census
enumerations along with data from the 2002 through
2006 American Community Surveys. Much of the
analyses will explore changes in the geographic
distribution of same-sex couples at three points in
time: 1990, 2000 and 2006.
Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S.
Census and the American Community Survey |
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Methodological Details for Census Snapshots
By Danielle MacCartney, M.V. Lee Badgett, and Gary
J. Gates
August 2007This brief explains the methodology
used in creating the upcoming series of Census
Snapshot reports.
Methodological Details for Census Snapshots
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Registered Domestic Partnerships Among Gay Men and
Lesbians: The Role of Economic Factors
By M. V. Lee Badgett, Gary J. Gates, and Natalya C.
Maisel
March 2007
In this paper, we predict the demand for a
marriage-like status—registered domestic
partnership–among same-sex couples. Domestic
partnership in the state of California now comes
with almost all of the rights and responsibilities
of marriage that a state can provide. We use the
LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender)
Tobacco Use Survey conducted by the California
Department of Health and the Field Research
Corporation in 2003. From this telephone survey, we
use a probability sample of 1,002 lesbian and gay
individuals in California. Using multinomial probit
models of partnership status (single, not
cohabiting, cohabiting, or registered), we find
limited evidence of economic motivations in the
choice to register. Gay men’s likelihood of
registration rises with income; lesbians’
probability of registration rises with age. Couples
with longer duration are more likely to register,
suggesting that registration and duration are
complementary signals of commitment and possibly of
the need for rights and benefits of registration.
Registered Domestic Partnerships Among Gay Men
and Lesbians: The Role of Economic Factors |
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The Gay,
Lesbian and Bisexual Vote in 2006
By Gary J. Gates, PhD
October 2006
Gay, lesbian, and
bisexual (GLB) voters may have a disproportionate
impact in some key races in the upcoming election.
In competitive House races with a Republican
incumbent, an estimated 4.2 to 4.3 percent of adults
are GLB, a figure above the national estimate of 4.1
percent and higher than proportions in tight races
with an open seat or Democrat incumbent. In Senate races with a Democrat
incumbent, an estimated 4.5 percent of adults are GLB. Among states with voter referenda
that would ban marriage for same-sex couples, Arizona
and Colorado have the highest proportions of GLB
residents, 4.5 and 5.1 percent, respectively, and are
the only two states with GLB population proportions
above the national average.
The
Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Vote in 2006 |
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Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
Population: New Estimates from the American Community
Survey
By Gary J. Gates, PhD
October, 2006
The release of new
data from the American Community Survey (ACS) offers
the first opportunity since Census 2000 to update our
knowledge of same-sex couples in the United States.
This report assesses changes in the geographic
characteristics of same-sex couples and estimates the
size of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual population in
states, large metropolitan areas, and all
Congressional Districts (109th Congress).
Analyses reveal that the number of same-sex couples in
the U.S. grew by more than 30 percent to almost
777,000. The largest percentage increases occurred
throughout the Midwest, an area that had relatively
low rates of same-sex couples in Census 2000. Six of
the eight states with a 2006 ballot initiative that
would ban same-sex marriage experienced increases in
the number of same-sex couples in excess of the
national rate of 30 percent. The ACS data also reveal
that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are found in
all Congressional Districts in the U.S.
Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
Population: New Estimates from the American Community
Survey |
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Asian and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex Couples in
the United States: Data from Census 2000
By
R. Bradley Sears, Esq., Gary J. Gates, PhD., and Holning
Lau, Esq.
July 2006
Published in Amerasia Journal Vol. 32 No. 1.
This study analyzes data from Census 2000 to show that
over 38,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in
the United States identified themselves as living
with a same-sex partner during Census 2000. The
study also shows that more than half of the
country’s cohabiting API same-sex couples are
raising children—over 17,000 children under the age
of 18—and that these families face the same economic
challenges as other API families in the United
States.
Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex Couples in
the United States: Data from Census 2000
UCLAウィリアムズ・インスティテュートによる米国におけるアジア・太平洋諸島系同性カップルに関する新報告書
UCLA의 월리암스 연구소 미국내 아시아 태평양계
동성 커플에 관한 새로운 보고서 발표
加州大學洛杉磯分校威廉斯學院公佈最新報告
對美國亞裔和太平洋島嶼裔同性戀伴侶做分析
Hoïc Vieän Williams cuûa UCLA Phoå Bieán Nghieân Cöùu Môùi
veà Nhöõng Caëp Ñoàng Giôùi Tính goác AÙ vaø Ñaûo Thaùi Bình
Döông taïi Myõ
Naglabas ang Williams Institute ng UCLA ng Bagong Ulat
tungkol sa mga Asian at Pacific Islanders sa Same-sex
Couples (Mga Magkasamang Pareho ang Kasarian) sa Estados
Unidos
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Race and Ethnicity of Same-Sex Couples in
California: Data from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq., Gary J. Gates, PhD.,
and Holning Lau, Esq.
February, 2006Using data from Census 2000, this
report compares demographic and socio-economic
characteristics of Asians and Pacific Islanders
(APIs), blacks, Latino and Latinas (Latino/as), and
whites (defined as white non-Latino/a) in same-sex
couples in California. This report builds on
previously released studies in which the Williams
Project provided separate analyses of APIs, blacks,
and Latino/as respectively.
Race and Ethnicity of Same-Sex Couples in California:
Data from Census 2000 |
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Lesbians and gay men in the U.S. military:
estimates from Census 2000
By Gary J. Gates, PhD.
October, 2005Very little is known about the extent
to which gay men and lesbians choose to serve their
country through military service. This lack of
knowledge contrasts with intense policy debates about
the compatibility between homosexuality and service in
the United States armed forces. Bayesian inference
techniques applied to data from Census 2000 that
enumerates characteristics of same-sex “unmarried
partners” provide a mechanism for estimating the size
of the gay and lesbian population currently serving in
the military and exploring historical gay and lesbian
military service patterns. Analyses suggest that rates
of gay men and lesbians in current military service
range from 1.32 to 3.78 percent, implying that at
least 30,446 gay men and lesbians and as many as
87,202 are currently in uniform. The findings also
show that gay men and, to an ever greater degree,
lesbians have served in relatively large portions in
all of the major military conflicts of the later 20th
century.
Lesbians and gay
men in the U.S. military: estimates from Census 2000 |
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Black Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from
Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq. and Gary J. Gates, PhD.
September, 2005
This study analyzes data from Census 2000 to show that
over 9,500 black men and women in California
identified themselves as living with a same-sex
partner during Census 2000. The study also shows that
more than half of California’s black same-sex couples
are raising children--over 5,100 children under
18--and that these families face the same economic
difficulties as other black families in the State.
Black Same-Sex
couples in California: Data from Census 2000
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Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-Sex couples in
California: Data from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq. and Gary J. Gates, PhD.
September, 2005This study
analyzes data from Census 2000 to show that 13,000
Asians/Pacific Islanders in California are part of a
same-sex couple. The study also shows that more than
half of California's Asian/Pacific Islander same-sex
couples are raising almost 5,600 children and are
struggling with some of the same economic difficulties
as other Asian/Pacific Islander families in the state.
This study will be forthcoming in September.
Asians and Pacific
Islanders in Same-Sex couples in California
Data from Census 2000 (Full Report)
Executive Summary of Asians and Pacific Islanders in
Same-Sex couples in California: Data from Census 2000
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TAÏI CALIFORNIA
DÖÕ KIEÄN TÖØ KYØ KIEÅM DAÂN SOÁ NAÊM 2000
MGA
ASYANO AT TAGA-ISLA PASIPIKO NA MAGKAPAREHONG-KASARIAN
NA MGA PAREHA SA CALIFORNIA
MGA DATOS MULA SA SENSUS 2000
캘리포니아주의 아시아 태평양계 동성 커플
2000년 센서스 자료 인용
カリフォルニア州在住のアジア及び太平洋諸島系同性カップル
2000年度統計調査データ
加州亞裔和太平洋島嶼裔同性伴侶
2000 年人口普查資料
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Latinos/as in Same-Sex Couples in California: Data
from Census 2000
By R. Bradley Sears, Esq. and Gary J. Gates, PhD.
May, 2005This study analyzes data
from Census 2000 to show that 45,000 Latinos and
Latinas in California are part of a same-sex couple.
Latino/as account for one in four individuals in
same-sex couples in California. The study also shows
that more than half of California’s 27,858 Latino/a
same-sex couples are raising some 33,000 children and
are struggling with some of the same economic
difficulties as other Latino/a families in the state.
Latinos/as in Same-Sex Couples in California: Data from
Census 2000 (Full Report)
Executive Summary of Latinos/as in Same-Sex Couples in
California: Data from Census 2000
Resumen Ejecutivo de Latinos/as en Parejas del Mismo Sex en
California: Datos del Censo 2000
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Same-Sex Couples and Same-Sex Couples Raising Children in
California
By M. V. Lee Badgett and R. Bradley Sears
May, 2004A study on the demographic and economic
information of Census data about same-sex couples and
same-sex couples raising children in California.
CA-SSCouples.PDF - 749 KB |
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