SANTA FE—The number of same-sex couples in New Mexico has increased about 35 percent between 2000 and 2005, a study released last week showed.

Researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles School of Law found New Mexico in 2005 was home to 6,063 same-sex couples. Of those couples, 27 percent were raising children, the study found.

Chuck Jones and his partner, Richard Parker, who have adopted two sons, have seen evidence of more same-sex couples who have families at his son's school. They were the only same-sex couple at the school five years ago. Now, there are two other couples like them.

"People are beginning to see that gay families are just like any other families," Jones said. "Our biggest concern is getting our kids fed and to bed early enough so they get enough sleep."

The UCLA study, based on Census Bureau data, shows same-sex couples live in all the state's 33 counties. Santa Fe County has the highest percentage, while Bernalillo County has the highest total number.

Gays, lesbians and bisexual people made up about 4.9 percent of the state's population in 2005, ranking the state 8th in the country by percentage.

While gay and lesbian couples are increasing in number, Advertisement the study found they earn less to support their children than married couples with kids.

Average household income for same-sex couples with children in the state is $41,964 while the average for married couples with children is $57,131.

Adam Romero, a study co-author and a public policy fellow at UCLA's Williams Institute, said the lower income could be a reflection of the ethnicity of the same-sex couples, 49 percent of which are nonwhite.

Gov. Bill Richardson has pushed for a law that would give same-sex partners many of the same benefits as married couples, but the measure was shelved by the Senate in this year's session. Richardson's office said the governor will try again to get the bill passed in next year's session.