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Windsor and Perry: Reactions of Siblings in Same-Sex and Heterosexual Couples |
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| Authors: | Jennifer B Clark Ellen D B Riggle Sharon S Rostosky Esther D Rothblum Kimberly F Balsam |
| Institution: | 1. CUPPLES Project, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California, USA;2. Departments of Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA;3. Department of Education, School and Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA;4. Department of Women’s Studies, San Diego State University, San Diego, California;5. Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, California, USA;6. Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California, USA |
| Abstract: | The U.S. Supreme Court decisions in U.S. v. Windsor (570 U.S. 307) and Hollingsworth v. Perry (570 U.S. 399) created a focal point for public discussion of marriage equality for same-sex couples. This article reports the results of an exploratory study of the reactions of individuals currently or previously in same-sex couple relationships and a heterosexual sibling who is currently or previously married (N = 371) to the Supreme Court decisions. Thematic content analysis was used to explore participants’ responses to an open-ended question on a survey. Reactions of individuals from same-sex couples revealed the following themes: (1) longitudinal perspectives on the advancement of rights for same-sex couples; (2) emotional responses celebrating the decisions or expressing relief; (3) affirmation of their relationship or rights; (4) practical consequences of the extension of rights; and (5) minority stress related to anticipation of future prejudice or discrimination. Themes in the heterosexual siblings’ responses were (1) ally support; (2) flat support without emotion or elaboration; (3) indifference to or ignorance about the decisions; and (4) disapproval of the decisions. These themes are compared and discussed in light of prior research on reactions to marriage restriction debates and marriage (in)equality and family relationships. |
| Keywords: | gay and lesbian family marriage qualitative research same-sex couples siblings U S Supreme Court |