LOS ANGELES On January 9, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to consider whether to take up the issue of same-sex marriage during the Court's current term. Specifically, at its January 9 conference, the Supreme Court will consider whether to review a decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that affirmed the constitutionality of bans on same-sex marriage in four states — Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Williams Institute scholars, who have filed amici briefs in all of these cases, are available to comment and provide legal and demographic analysis on same-sex couples, their children, and LGBT people at the state and national level.
Key nationwide statistics include:
On January 9, 2015, more than three-quarters ( 75.8% ) of same-sex couples across the country will be living in the 36 states where they can marry and more than seven-in-ten Americans will be living in states that allow marriage for same-sex couples.
Williams Institute research suggests that there were 690,000 same-sex couples in the US in 2013 raising an estimated 200,000 children. As many as 30,000 of those children are being raised by married parents.
Recent Williams Institute analyses suggest that the number of married same-sex couples, estimated to be as high as 130,000 in 2013, has increased by more than 50% over the last 3 years.
Key statewide statistics include:
Williams Institute research has analyzed the economic impact of allowing same-sex couples to marry in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Combining these states, nearly 26,200 same-sex couples would likely to marry in the first three years that they were able to do so, generating an estimated $184 million in additional spending and $13 million in sales tax revenue. Full versions of the state reports are available here.
In Kentucky, there are nearly 7,200 cohabiting same-sex couples, of which an estimated 23% are raising approximately 2,270 children in their homes.
In Michigan, there are nearly 15,000 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 18% are raising approximately 5,300 children in their homes.
In Ohio, there are nearly 20,000 cohabiting same-sex couples, of which an estimated 19% are raising nearly 6,800 children in their homes.
In Tennessee, there are nearly 11,000 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 18% are raising nearly 4,000 children in their homes.
Williams Institute scholars have filed amicus briefs in, and served as expert witnesses in, many cases concerning marriage rights for same-sex couples, and numerous courts have relied explicitly on William Institute research in striking down bans on marriage for same-sex couples.