Effects of Prejudice and Discrimination

What are the effects of prejudice and discrimination on lesbians and gay men and their children?

There is growing recognition that social prejudice and discrimination against lesbians and gay men take a cumulative toll on their well-being.  Within lesbian and gay populations, those who more frequently feel stigmatized or discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, who feel compelled to conceal their homosexuality, or who are prevented from affiliating with other lesbian or gay individuals tend to report more frequent stress and other mental health concerns.  Children of same-sex couples are also vulnerable to prejudice and discrimination directed against their parents and may experience stress as a result.  Furthermore, violence associated with hate crimes places lesbians and gay men at risk for physical harm to themselves, their families, and their property.

Are there tangible benefits associated with marriage that lesbian and gay couples and their children are being denied?

Yes, the U.S. Government Accountability Office has identified over 1,000 federal statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in the determination or receipt of benefits, rights, and privileges for lesbian and gay couples and their children.  These include provisions concerning taxation, federal loans, and dependent and survivor benefits (e.g., Social Security, military, and veterans).  In addition, there are numerous state, local, and private sector laws and other provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining or receiving benefits, rights, and privileges, such as taxation, health insurance, health care decision-making (including spousal privileges in medical emergency situations), co-parental adoption of children, property rights, pension and retirement benefits, and inheritance.  In contrast, benefits, rights, and privileges associated with domestic partnerships and civil unions are not universally available, are not equal to those associated with marriage, and are rarely portable.

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