Federal Court Opens Marriage in Nebraska March 9, 2015 to Same-Sex Couples

Author: The Williams Institute
Published: 3rd Mar 2015
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: LGBTQ News America Publications

Summary: Federal district court struck down Nebraska ban on same-sex marriage opening marriage to same-sex couples beginning March 9, 2015.

Main Document

In Nebraska, there are 2,356 cohabiting same-sex couples, of whom 20% are raising an estimated 942 children in their homes.

Williams Institute research also suggests that nearly 1,200 of these couples will marry in the first three years, generating $8 million to the state and local economy of Nebraska and an additional $500,000 in sales tax revenue.

Spending related to same-sex couples' wedding ceremonies and celebrations is expected to create 31 to 94 jobs in the tourism and recreation sector for the state.

Key nationwide statistics include:

• Not including Nebraska, 77% of same-sex couples across the country are living in the 37 states and Washington, DC where they can now marry, and 72% of Americans are living in jurisdictions that 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.