80 percent of married same-sex couples worry about losing marriage equality

Around 80 percent of same-sex married couples are concerned about no longer having marriage equality, according to a new report.

The report, from the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, found 79.3 percent of same-sex married couples said they were either “very” or “somewhat concerned” about Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S., being overturned.

“Overall, these couples appreciate the ways that marriage has strengthened their relationships with their partners, provided security for their children, and provided legal protections, financial security, and greater acceptance by family, friends, and the broader community,” the report reads. “They are also worried about the future of marriage equality and the increasingly hostile climate for LGBTQ+ people in many parts of the country — so much so that some are considering moving to another state.”

Members of the Supreme Court, including Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, have criticized and expressed their opposition to the Obergefell decision in recent years. 

Other findings in the report included 94.2 percent of the participants saying that the Obergefell ruling “made a difference for them,” with 62.8 percent marrying in the wake of the important decision by the nation’s highest court.

“The many material, emotional, and symbolic benefits associated with marriage seem to have significant impacts on the lives and well-being of LGBTQ+ people,” Abbie E. Goldberg, psychology professor at Clark University and author of the study, said in a Thursday press release. 

“While many LGBTQ+ people did not consider marriage a possibility growing up, it has made a profound difference in their lives, offering a greater sense of security, the ability to make important decisions together, and increased acceptance from both society and family.”

The report features 484 respondents in a same-sex marriage from the 50 states and Washington, D.C. 

The survey was conducted between October 2023 and February 2024.