http://www.apsa.org/About_APsaA/Position_Statements/Gay_Marriage.

aspx

Position Paper On Gay Marriage

Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues
In 1997 APsaA endorsed the following Marriage Resolution:
Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice,
RESOLVED, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to
marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil
marriage.
The adoption of this resolution was a response to the passage of the federal Defense of
Marriage Act, signed into law by President Clinton in September 1996. The Marriage
Resolution was drafted and circulated by Lambda Legal, a gay/lesbian legal advocacy
organization, and has been endorsed by hundreds of professional organizations and
individuals.
Since APsaAs endorsement of Lambda Legal's Marriage Resolution, reactionary social
and political groups across the country have taken aim not just at same-sex civil
marriage, but also at same-sex unions. At this writing, 18 states have passed
constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, and 27 states have enacted
legal statutes defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Recognizing that this
blatant discrimination is having a significant adverse impact on the psychological and
social well-being and stability of gay and lesbian couples, their children and families,
APsaAs CGLI and Executive Committee think that at this moment in the political
discourse of the United States, they have an ethical, moral and social responsibility to
issue a more comprehensive statement about same-sex marriage.
Civil marriage provides a legal framework for the creation and dissolution of committed
relationships; it socially sanctions a relationship, defining its legal rights, benefits and
responsibilities. Marriage thus functions as stabilizing force. Government sanctioned
discrimination against gay and lesbian couples denies them the 1.049 rights, benefits,
and protections that, according to the General Accounting Office of the federal
government*, civil marriage confers in areas of health care, insurance, property,
finances, and inheritance. Research is now emerging** that outlines the benefits that
accrue to married same-sex couple and their children. Discriminatory marriage laws
adversely affect the children of same-sex couples. The APsaA has previously issued a
position paper on same-sex adoption. Although some states now allow second parent
adoptions, children of same-sex couples in most of the United States are not permitted
to be adopted by their second parent and thus are more vulnerable than children of
married parents. For example, health benefits may not be available to the child if the
non-biological or non-adoptive parent is the only parent with health insurance. If
relationship dissolution occurs, the non-biological or non-adoptive parent may lose
parental rights, subjecting the child to potentially traumatizing loss, instability and
financial insecurity. Further, socially sanctioned discrimination adds to the burdens of

both the children of same-sex couples as well as gay and lesbian youth (who have
higher rates of suicide attempts than heterosexual youth).
Thus,
WHEREAS homosexuality is a normal variant of adult sexuality and,
WHEREAS gay men and lesbians possess the same potential and desire for sustained
loving and lasting relationships as heterosexuals and,
WHEREAS same-sex couples are raising children and have the same potential and
desire as heterosexual couples to love and parent children and,
WHEREAS existing marriage laws in the United States discriminate against same-sex
couples and,
WHEREAS same-sex couples and their children are adversely affected by these
discriminatory marriage laws and,
WHEREAS the milestone of marriage moves a couple and its children into full
citizenship in American society and, WHEREAS discriminatory marriage laws deprive
gay and lesbian couples of over 1000 federal rights and benefits and,
WHEREAS the denial of such benefits has been demonstrated to have significant
psychological and social impact on gay and lesbian couples and their families, and the
converse, that research is now substantiating the benefit that accrues to married samesex couples and their children,
The American Psychoanalytic Association supports the legal recognition of same-sex
civil marriage with all the rights, benefits and responsibilities conferred by civil marriage,
and opposes discrimination against same-sex couples, and the denial to same-sex
couples these same rights, benefits and responsibilities.

Review of Research Relevant to Same-Sex Marriage

Gary Grossman, PhD
Committee on Gay & Lesbian Issues
American Psychoanalytic Association
June 11, 2007
The scientific psychosocial literature relevant to the issue of same-sex marriage is
extensive and can be divided into the following topics: 1) Homosexuality and Sexual
Orientation; 2) Psychological/Mental Health Benefits of Marriage; 3) Same-sex
Relationships; 4) Psychological Impact of the Denial of Marriage Rights; and 5) Children
of Same-sex Couples. Rather than reviewing individual studies, I have based this
summary on several comprehensive documents including: Herdt, G. & Kertzer, R.
(2006). I do but I can't: The impact of marriage denial on the mental health and sexual
citizenship of lesbians and gay men in the United States. Sexuality Research and Social
Policy, 3, 33-49; Herek, G. (2006). Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the
United States: A social science perspective. American Psychologist, 61, 607-621; and
position statements with supporting documents from the American Psychological
Association and the American Psychiatric Association.

Homosexuality and Sexual Orientation

Although rarely stated explicitly in the arguments opposing same-sex marriage, the
belief that homosexuality is an illness or immoral is a central tenet of such positions.
Although there are some who argue that there continues to be controversy over whether
or not homosexuality is a healthy variation of adult sexuality or a sign of pathology, the
scientific community has resolved this issue and APsaA has already expressed its
position in its statement on reparative therapy, ASame-gender sexual orientation cannot
be assumed to represent a deficit in personality development or the expression of
psychopathology@ (APsaA Position Statement on Reparative Therapy, Adopted 2000).

Psychological/Mental Health Benefits of Marriage

There is well-documented evidence from decades of social science research indicating
that a satisfying marriage contributes to psychological and physical well-being (House et
al, 1988; Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001; Kim & McKenry, 2002; Waite & Gallagher,
2000; Williams, 2003). These studies have demonstrated that married individuals have
better mental health, more emotional support, less psychological stress and lower rates
of psychiatric disorder than unmarried people.

Same-sex Relationships
Numerous studies have shown that a significant number of gay men and lesbians are in
committed long-term relationships (Bradford, Ryan, & Rothblum, 1994; Falkner &
Garber, 2002; Morris, Balsam, & Rothblum, 2002) and that these couples derive
increased life satisfaction, enhanced personal meaning and stability from their
relationship (Blumstein & Schwartz, 1983; Kertzner, 1999; Peplau & Spalding, 2000).
Data from the 2000 U.S. Census indicate that of the 5.5 million cohabitating, unmarried
couples, approximately 11% were same-sex couples (United States Census Bureau,
2000). Given the reluctance of many individuals to identify themselves as gay, this is
likely a low estimate. In addition, a significant percentage of lesbians and gay men
express interest in being legally married (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2001).
Studies of same-sex relationships have provided persuasive evidence that lesbian and
gay couples do not vary from heterosexual couples on measures of relationship
satisfaction, stability, durability and commitment.

Psychological Impact of the Denial of Marriage to Same-Sex Couples

Clinical studies of same-sex couples have found that the absence of legally recognized
marriage contributes to significant common problems in these relationships, particularly
with regards to defining boundaries, receiving familial and societal support and
recognition, and valuing the relationship as a legitimate expression of love and
commitment (Green, 2004; Greenan & Tunnell, 2003, King & Bartlett, 2006). For many
of these couples relationship commitment remains ambiguous, for example they are
uncertain when the relationship began or the extent of their mutual obligations. Same-

sex couples are also subjected to various levels of stress due to the lack of legal
recognition. For example, they may lack inheritance rights, hospital visitation, and health
care. Same-sex couples faced with relationship dissolution are also subjected to added
stress due to the absence of legal protections for both partners.
Discrimination's detrimental impact on mental health has also been well documented in
lesbian and gay populations. "Minority stress" (DiPlacido, 1998; Meyer, 2003)
contributes to psychiatric problems and gay men and lesbians who report greater levels
of stigma and discrimination are more likely to seek psychological treatment (Meyer,
2003).

Children of Same-sex Couples

Over the past 20 years an increasing number of same-sex couples are conceiving,
adopting and raising children. According to the 2000 U.S. Census 34% of cohabitating
female couples and 22% of male couples were raising children under the age of 18. The
absence of the legal recognition of their parents' relationship will also impact these
children. Children of same-sex couples are accorded a stigmatized status of being
"illegitimate". To the extent that legal marriage fosters well-being in couples, it will
enhance the well-being in their children who benefit most when their parents are
financially secure, physically and psychologically healthy and not subjected to high
levels of stress (Chan, et al, 1998; Patterson, 2001). Children of gay and lesbian
couples are especially vulnerable if their parent's relationship dissolves (Amato, 2001).
Both parents of same-sex couples do not automatically have legal custody and,
therefore, custody issues are more complicated, and the children lack the same level of
legal protections afforded to children of married couples.
--------------------------------------------------------*http://www.marriageequality.org/1049.pdf
**An Exploratory Study of Same-Sex Marriage: How Legalization Has Influenced Massachusetts Couples.
Research and Action Report of the Wellesley Centers for Women 27:7.

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