LOS ANGELES- Approximately 18,300 children of same-sex couples, and nearly 52,400 same-sex couples, could be impacted by the outcome of the August 6 oral arguments in the five marriage cases before the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The cases address the constitutionality of bans on marriage for same-sex couples in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Williams Institute scholars filed several amici briefs in all five cases:  DeBoer v. Snyder, Bourke v. Beshear, Obergefell v. Wymyslo, Henry v. Himes and Tanco v. Haslam.

Key findings from the 6th Circuit demographic briefs include:

Ohio:

There are approximately 19,684 same-sex couples living in Ohio

More than 3,760 same-sex-couple households in the state are raising nearly 6,800 children

The majority of same-sex couples in Ohio are female (54%)

Michigan:

There are about 14,598 same-sex couples living in Michigan

There are 2,650 same-sex couple households in the state raising 5,300 children

The majority of same-sex couples in Michigan are female (57%)

Kentucky:

Approximately 7,195 same-sex couples living in Kentucky

Nearly 1,623 same-sex-couple households in the state are raising 2,270 children

The majority of same-sex couples in Kentucky are female (55%)

Tennessee:

There are nearly 10,898 same-sex couples living in Tennessee

About 1,949 same-sex-couple households in the state of Tennessee are raising 3,936 children

Majority of the same-sex couples in Tennessee are female (54%)

Williams Institute scholars, along with other leading women’s legal organizations, also filed amici briefs in each of the appeals that argue, like laws that discriminate based on sex, laws that discriminate based on sexual orientation warrant heightened judicial scrutiny because, among other considerations, such laws are based on overbroad gender stereotypes.

More information regarding the amici briefs can be found here.

The Williams Institute is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.  A national think tank at UCLA Law, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates its work through a variety of education programs and media to judges, legislators, lawyers, other policy makers, and the public. For more information go to: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/.