Research from a social policy expert at the University shows many same-sex couples getting married encounter hostility and disrespect.
Same-sex marriage is often described as a turning-point in equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. But the research suggests that the reality of legal recognition for same-sex couples is more complicated, and that they may encounter reactions ranging from rejection and abuse to respect and affection when they announced their decision.
The research findings were announced by the University’s Dr Mike Thomas at the British Sociological Association’s annual conference on 17 April.
His research was carried out from 2010-12, after legislation was passed in the UK to allow same-sex civil partnerships but before same-sex weddings were legalised in 2014. Same-sex marriage had been legal in California and Canada during his research.
Dr Thomas, Lecturer in Social Work at the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, told the conference that ‘negative reactions’ from family members were a regular theme. He outlined research highlighting what couples interpreted as being denied respect or recognition, or not being listened to.
Their stories revealed a sense of ‘powerlessness and a degree of anger, resentment, and fatalism’ about the disrespect couples received. Same-sex partners also received mixed reactions to marriage or civil partnership from work colleagues and in public and commercial service settings, for example when they went to book their ceremony or arrange their reception.
However, there were also positive stories uncovered in the research. Dr Thomas presented evidence of marriage or civil partnership as having had positive effects, for example in providing legal rights and entitlements and in giving couples an opportunity to celebrate their relationship in the company of family and friends. This fills an important gap in giving same-sex couples access to an important social ritual.
Dr Thomas suggests this mixed overall picture means that claims that same-sex marriage represents the last word in LGB equality are exaggerated. Rather, his research shows that legal reform provides a first step towards social equality rather than the final step.