2011/04/18 by Julie L. Shulman, Gabrielle Gotta, Robert‐Jay Green · 1 voice
Psychology · Medicine · Social Sciences · #LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy #Reproductive Health and Technologies #Family Dynamics and Relationships
paper · doi:10.1177/0192513x11406228
openalex publication_date 2011/04/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
The current study used an online survey to explore the anticipated impact of legalized marriage on partners in same-sex couples living in California. These data were gathered prior to the California Supreme Court decision in May 2008 legalizing same-sex marriage, which held sway for 5 months before California Proposition 8 eliminating same-sex marriage was passed by a voter referendum. In addition to administering three quantitative measures (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance & Social Support Index, Anticipated Impact of Marriage Scale, and The Couple Satisfaction Index), a qualitative approach to inquiry was used to derive themes in the reported experiences of the study participants. The principal theme emerging from participants’ responses involved a ubiquitous sense of security in all areas of their life, including increased permanence in their couple relationship as well as feeling protected as a unit by the larger society.