The National Sexuality Resource Center has released the first peer-reviewed study to analyze the impact of marriage denial on the mental health and well being of gay men and lesbians.
'I Do, But I Can't: The Impact of Marriage Denial on the Mental Health and Sexual Citizenship of Lesbians and Gay Men in the United States' shows the various forms of harm inflicted on same-sex couples because they are denied the right to marry.
The study reveals that even though lesbians and gay men have created their own family structures, denying them the right to marry creates the mental distress of second-class citizenship.
Used as an act of discrimination, marriage denial is shown to heighten the risk of social isolation and depression.
The study also finds that the documented psychosocial benefits of marriage, if extended to gays and lesbians, would increase their overall well-being.
The study is currently in press and will appear in the March issue of Sexuality Research and Social Policy.