Gay and Lesbian 'Marriage': An exploration of the meanings and significance of legitimating same-sex relationships
1 November 2003 to 30 July 2006
Core Research Findings
- Couples in our study were divided on whether it was preferable to have a special category of Civil Partnership or whether the existing legal form of marriage should be expanded to include same-sex couples
- It was very important to the majority of our participants to involve their parents or other close kin in their commitment ceremonies
- All the couples also invited friends (except two couples who held an entirely private ceremony)
- It was often difficult for couples to mix their families of origin with friends, but they worked hard to sustain relationships even in the face of difficulties
- Couples were aware they could be criticised for adopting the values of heterosexual couples, but this concern was outweighed by a desire to celebrate their commitment to each other
- Few couples met with hostility but some found that either friends or family could be reserved in their enthusiasm about ceremonies or planned civil partnerships when told of the event
- Couples welcomed the legal protections that civil partnership would provide, but 80% had already made wills to safeguard their partner in the event of death
- New forms of kinship may be developing as same-sex partners are embraced by family as sons - rather than sons-in-law - or as sisters - rather than sisters-in-law.
Complete research findings (pdf, 212 kb)
Printed copies of these findings (or a large print version) are available from morgancentre@manchester.ac.uk.
Publications
'"It's made a huge difference": Recognition, Rights and the Personal Significance of Civil Partnership', Shipman, B, and Smart, C, Sociological Research Online (2007) 12 (1) View article online [new window].
Press articles and interviews (all links open in new window)
'Parental cloud over a gay day', Geary, J. The Birmingham Post, August 2006.
'6,500 couples opt for civil partnerships but ceremony creates new problems', Muir, H, The Guardian, 8 August 2006 (pdf). Or view article online.
'Happy Ever After', Smart, C, New Humanist, July/August 2006 (pdf, 308 kb).
'Unhappy Couples', Gilliver, A and Quirke, J, Pink Paper, 910, 5 October 2006. (Word, 1012 kb). Or view article online.
Carol Smart interviewed by Laurie Taylor about the project on 'Thinking Allowed', BBC Radio 4, 3 May 2006 (mp3, 9MB).
Also reported in 'Families show acceptance of gay marriage', Manchester Evening News, 4 August 2006.
Research Team
Carol Smart, Jennifer Mason and Beccy Shipman.
For enquiries about this project, please contact Carol Smart on 0161 275 0262 or email carol.smart@manchester.ac.uk
Funding
This project was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (Ref: R000-23-0418).