Marriage for Alabama Same-Sex Couples

Author: The Williams Institute
Published: 5th Feb 2015 - Updated: 28th Feb 2017
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: LGBTQ News America Publications

Summary: Marriage to Become Available to Nearly 6,600 Same-Sex Couples in Alabama on Feb. 9, 2015.

Main Document

A federal district court decision striking down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional is set to go into effect on February 9, 2015, now that the Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has denied a stay pending appeal.

In Alabama, there are nearly 6,600 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom an estimated 20% are raising nearly 2,700 children in their homes.

Williams Institute research also suggests that nearly 3,300 of these couples will marry in the first 3 years, generating $21.7 million to the state and local economy of Alabama and an additional $1.8 million in sales tax revenue.

Spending related to same-sex couples' wedding ceremonies and celebrations is expected to create 108 to 323 jobs in the tourism and recreation sector for the state.

Key nationwide statistics include:

Including Alabama, 77% of same-sex couples across the country are living in the 37 states and Washington, DC where they can or soon will be able to marry, and 72% of Americans are living in jurisdictions that allow or will soon allow marriage for same-sex couples.
Williams Institute research suggests that there were 690,000 same-sex couples in the US in 2013 raising an estimated 200,000 children. As many as 30,000 of those children are being raised by married parents.
Recent Williams Institute analyses suggest that the number of married same-sex couples, estimated to be as high as 130,000 in 2013, has increased by more than 50% over the last 3 years.

Williams Institute scholars have filed amicus briefs and served as expert witnesses in many cases concerning marriage rights for same-sex couples. Numerous courts have relied explicitly on Williams Institute research in striking down bans on marriage for same-sex couples, including the Fourth, Seventh, and Ninth Circuit U.S. Courts of Appeals.

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