Gay Couples vs Straight Couples: New Data from US Census

This Pride Month, the US Census Bureau released new data from a recent survey that compares gay marriages to straight ones. While Massachusetts became the first state to allow same-sex marriages in 2003, the Supreme Court made it legal nationwide in 2015. While a lot of us gays are still running around from hookup to hookup, there are now over 1.5 million married gay people nationwide. We can't even get a second date. LOL.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gay Marriage USA (@gaymarriageusa)

In 2019, the American Community Survey under the US Census Bureau added different categories under "relationship to householder" to include same-sex marriage designations.  Out of those 1.5 married households, 47% were men and 53% were women. Our gay marriages tend to be younger than straight marriages, with 41% of men and 51% of women being younger than 45 years old, as compared to 32% of men and 36% of women in straight marriages. Racial percentages did not differ too much between gay and straight couples, under white, Black, and Hispanic categories. Asian same-sex marriages make up a smaller percentage than Asian straight marriages. There are more interracial same-sex marriages, making up 31% of gay couples as compared to 19% of straight interracial couples.

More people are in the workforce under gay marriage than straight. The percentage of males vs females in gay marriages that are employed did not differ significantly. Also, 86% of gay men are in their first marriage, as compared to 77% percent of straight men. Also, people in same-sex marriages are more likely to have higher education than straight ones.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gay Marriage USA (@gaymarriageusa)

Not surprisingly, children in the household are more prevalent in straight marriages than gay ones and gay marriages are more likely to have a roommate in the house.

The data did show that over the last few years, percentage differences in many different areas are leveling out, meaning gay marriages are starting to resemble straight ones more and more. Are we settling down? Are we having families? We are getting straighter and straighter, lol.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gay Marriage USA (@gaymarriageusa)

This inclusion of gay couples in this kind of survey goes along with what we reported about the US Census looking into more ways to include gay people in future censuses. Our community not being included in the decennial census is not just about representation, but it also affects where the government spends its money to meet the needs of the community. Mental health issues, education, financial aid, and medical aid are just a few examples of needs the queer community has that may not be considered in the big picture. Our needs do differ from those of straight citizens.

Have any news to report?

Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.