A decade after the landmark Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage across the United States, a new study from the Williams Institute at UCLA reveals that the number of married same-sex couples has more than doubled. As of June 2025, an estimated 823,000 same-sex couples are married nationwide, a dramatic increase from the approximately 390,000 recorded at the time of the 2015 ruling.
This growth is not just a reflection of evolving social norms but also signals a broader shift in family formation patterns within the LGBTQ+ community. The report highlights that nearly 299,000 children under the age of 18 are now being raised by these married couples, suggesting a normalization of parenting among same-sex households that parallels traditional family structures. The visibility of same-sex parents is steadily increasing, prompting adjustments in public policy, education, and healthcare systems to accommodate a more diverse range of family types.
Regional trends show that the growth in married same-sex couples is particularly strong in the South and Midwest—areas that implemented marriage equality more recently and often under federal pressure following the Supreme Court ruling. Between 2014 and 2023, the percentage of cohabiting same-sex couples who were married rose significantly in these regions. In the South, that share jumped from 38 percent to 59 percent, while the Midwest saw an increase from 44 percent to 59 percent. The West and Northeast, which had earlier embraced marriage equality, also saw notable gains, albeit less dramatic.
Demographic data from the study further illuminates the makeup of married same-sex couples. Women comprise a slight majority, with female-female couples making up about 53 percent of all married same-sex unions, compared to 47 percent for male-male couples. The racial and ethnic diversity within these marriages is also notable. Roughly 34 percent of individuals in married same-sex couples identify as people of color, a proportion similar to that found among different-sex married couples. Moreover, interracial marriages are more common among same-sex couples, with 29 percent identifying as interracial, compared to just 14 percent of different-sex couples.
The average age among individuals in same-sex marriages is younger than their heterosexual counterparts. Those in same-sex unions have an average age of 48, while individuals in different-sex marriages average 53 years old. This age difference may reflect generational shifts in social acceptance and legal access to marriage for LGBTQ+ individuals, with younger adults more likely to take advantage of legal protections and social recognition that were unavailable to earlier generations.
Geographically, more than one-third of married same-sex couples reside in the South, a region that historically resisted marriage equality. The West accounts for 29 percent, followed by 19 percent in the Northeast and 17 percent in the Midwest. Significantly, many of these couples live in states where outdated constitutional amendments or statutory bans on same-sex marriage remain on the books. Although unenforceable under federal law, the existence of these laws creates a climate of legal uncertainty for same-sex families, particularly in politically contentious regions.
According to the Williams Institute, about 433,000 married same-sex couples currently live in states that still have unenforced bans on the books. These couples are raising approximately 163,000 children, highlighting the real-life stakes of potential legal reversals or policy changes. Legal scholars and LGBTQ+ advocates have expressed concern that any weakening of federal protections, either through judicial decisions or legislative inaction, could leave these families vulnerable to discrimination or invalidation of their marital rights.
The report’s findings also have broader implications for healthcare access, family-based care, and community support services. As same-sex couples become more visible in parenting and elder-care roles, there is an increased demand for inclusive services that recognize and support their unique needs. Mental health providers, family counselors, and social service organizations are gradually adapting to these demographic shifts, but disparities still exist, especially in regions with fewer protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Culturally, the doubling of married same-sex couples over the past decade represents a significant societal transformation. What was once considered a fringe issue has become a normalized component of American life, particularly for younger generations who came of age in a post-Obergefell landscape. The increase in same-sex marriage and parenting also signals a growing sense of permanence and security within LGBTQ+ communities, many of whom had previously lived in legal and social limbo.
In sum, the June 2025 Williams Institute report not only documents numerical growth in same-sex marriages but also paints a complex picture of evolving American family life. With over 823,000 married couples and nearly 300,000 children being raised in same-sex households, the findings underscore the enduring impact of marriage equality and the ongoing need for inclusive policy frameworks that reflect the diversity of modern families.
