Over the past decade, marriage equality has reshaped family life in the United States. Since the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling in 2015, the number of married same-sex households has more than doubled. What factors are driving this change?
Legal Protections
When you think about marriage, love and companionship are probably the first things that come to mind. For same-sex couples, those reasons are just as important as for anyone else. But surveys also show that many couples see marriage as a way to secure legal protections, which are benefits that cover everything from hospital visitation rights to tax advantages. By combining romance with practical needs, same-sex couples are affirming their commitment on multiple levels.
Relationship Satisfaction
When you feel confident in your relationship, you’re more likely to invest in it for the long term. Surveys show that most married same-sex couples describe their partnerships as going very well, and those who are married tend to be more satisfied than those who are only cohabiting. This sense of stability encourages couples to build households together, whether that means buying a home, raising children, or sharing responsibilities with extended family.
Marriage provides both emotional and legal reinforcement, giving couples a stronger foundation to weather social or financial challenges. For many same-sex partners, the recognition of their relationship adds legitimacy that motivates them to establish a household that reflects their commitment. In this way, high relationship satisfaction not only strengthens bonds between partners but also contributes to the growing number of same-sex–led families across the country.
Education, Employment, and Income
Education and financial security play a major role in whether couples choose to marry and start households together. Same-sex couples, on average, tend to have higher levels of education than different-sex couples. That education often opens the door to stable jobs and higher earnings, especially among male couples, where both partners usually work full-time.
Why does this matter? Because marriage often comes with financial commitments, including housing costs, healthcare, and even planning for children. When couples feel more secure in their ability to provide for each other, they’re more likely to formalize their relationship through marriage. Higher income also makes it easier to navigate barriers unique to same-sex families, like adoption fees, fertility treatments, or surrogacy costs.
Building Communities of Love and Support in Your Ministry
The rise in married same-sex households is part of a broader story about how people seek love and belonging in ways that reflect both personal choice and changing social norms. These families remind us that building a life together is not only about legal recognition but also about creating homes filled with care, support, and resilience.
If you feel called to support couples and families in meaningful ways, now is the perfect time to get ordained through the Universal Life Church. With free online ordination, you’ll have the authority to perform weddings, lead ceremonies, and guide others through life’s milestones.
The ULC also provides the resources and ministering supplies you need to serve with confidence and compassion. Take the next step and become a minister today to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.