More same-sex
couples have married in California since it was legalized
in June than married in the four years since Massachusetts
began marrying gay couples in 2004, according to
a new study by the Williams Institute at the
University of California, Los Angeles. An estimated
11,000 same-sex couples have married in California, with
five counties accounting for nearly 80% of the
matrimonies: Los Angeles (2,719), San Francisco
(2,708), San Diego (1,689), Riverside (1,247), and Alameda
(475). California is home to 14% percent of the
country’s same-sex couples, the largest
percentage nationwide.
More same-sex
couples have married in California since it was legalized
in June than married in the four years since Massachusetts
began marrying gay couples in 2004, according to
a new study by the Williams Institute at the
University of California, Los Angeles.
An estimated
11,000 same-sex couples have married in California, with
five counties accounting for nearly 80% of the matrimonies:
Los Angeles (2,719), San Francisco (2,708), San Diego
(1,689), Riverside (1,247), and Alameda (475).
California is home to 14% percent of the country’s
same-sex couples, the largest percentage nationwide.
Kate Kendell,
executive director of the National Center for Lesbian
Rights, partially attributed the nuptial rush to the
imminent vote on Proposition 8, which if passed, will
constitutionally outlaw same-sex marriage in the
state.
“After
November 4, it’s possible the door to having that
experience of a legally recognized marriage will be
closed,” Kendell told The New York Times.
“And faced with that, many couples have, to
some degree, rushed to get married in order to assure
that they are legally recognized.”
Demographically
speaking, Williams Institute researchers have found that
about 25% of gay couples in California are raising more than
52,000 children. Lesbians are more likely to be living
with partners but gay men have longer lasting
relationships. Among couples who sought official
recognition either through domestic partnerships or
marriage, men had been together an average of 12 years
while lesbian couples average nine years. (The
Advocate)
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