Gay and lesbian couples in Arizona generally make less money, are less likely to own a home and have fewer resources to raise children than their married counterparts, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles.

The results of the study being conducted state by state are shattering many long-held stereotypes.

More than 16,930 same-sex couples lived in Arizona, according to the mid-decade U.S. Census.

"Gay men earn less than straight men," said Adam Romero, a public-policy fellow who co-authored the study. "Even when you hold constant occupation, race, geography, they earn less and that's something economists would call discrimination."

Women in same-sex relationships earn more than married women - $31,336 on average compared with $25,231. Romero attributed this to married women stepping out of the workforce more often to raise children.

"When you only look for households where children are present, same-sex couples do much, much worse," he said.

Same-sex parents in Arizona have lower median household incomes, $39,000 a year compared with $54,000 for married couples.

Tina and Jennifer Merrell know that situation firsthand.

"We're legal strangers," said Tina, a 37-year-old chemical analyst for Freescale Semiconductor in Chandler.

"We can't get married so we can't participate in the 1,500 benefits and responsibilities that come along with marriage."

The Merrells, who have been together since 1989, are among the 18 percent of same-sex couples who are raising children in Arizona. Only Jennifer has full parental rights to Samantha, their 16-month-old daughter. Tina is named as the child's guardian in a legal document that must be renewed every six months.

"It's exasperating that we have to sign it every six months," Tina said. "Fortunately, we have a pediatrician who is very respectful and understanding if there's a delay and Samantha has a doctor's appointment."

Their daughter is biologically related to Jennifer, who conceived the child with sperm donated by a friend.

The friend, Frankie Ambrose, is involved in the Samantha's life and watches the child at least one day a week while the women work. He has renounced all parental rights to the women.

Ambrose is also donating sperm so that Tina may become pregnant with the couple's second child.

"One of the things about me carrying this child, and for lack of a better word, being the breadwinner, I won't have to pay that same penalty for the child's medical and dental benefits," Tina said.

She estimated that they are penalized about $10,000 a year to have Jennifer and her biological child on Tina's health insurance. Tina is being taxed for her domestic-partner benefits, and that differs from most insurance coverage for married couples and families.

The study also found that same-sex couples have fewer resources than married couples. For example, about 63 percent of same-sex couples own their homes in Arizona compared with 81 percent of married couples.

The Merrells do own their own home in Ahwatukee, but they say they do feel like they have fewer resources than married couples. A sales auditor for a major department store, Jennifer began working part time shortly after Samantha was born.

"The same resources, definitely not," Tina said. "As a gay couple, not only do we not have the financial advantages of married couples, we sometimes don't have the family resources and help."