A national survey conducted by researchers at The University of Queensland has found that the majority of same-sex attracted Australians reported marriage to be their personal preference for relationship recognition, dispelling the myth that most same-sex couples do not wish to marry or are content with de facto status.
The results of the survey have been submitted to the Federal Senate inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 which seeks to amend the federal Marriage Act so that same-sex partners are able to marry in Australia, and to recognise same-sex marriages legally entered into overseas.
Not So Private Lives is the first national survey to include an investigation of same-sex attracted Australians’ preferences for various forms of relationship recognition since the introduction of de facto status for same-sex couples at a federal level.
The survey, which examined many aspects of sexual-minority life, attracted 2,232 participants from across all states and territories and from both urban and rural areas. Participants were aged 18 – 82 years of age and two thirds reported to be in some form of same-sex relationship.
Findings from the relationship recognition part of the survey show that the majority (54.1%) of same-sex attracted participants selected marriage as their personal choice and close to 80% felt marriage should be an option for same-sex couples in Australia.
Researcher Sharon Dane from UQ’s School of Psychology said what was most interesting to find was that marriage was still the personal choice of the majority irrespective of the current legal status of participants’ same-sex relationships.
“For example, of those currently in a de facto relationship, 55.4% stated they preferred marriage for their own relationship, 25.6% stated they preferred a federally recognised relationship other than marriage, 17.7% preferred de facto and 1.3% preferred no legal status,” she said.
Importantly, the majority showing a personal preference for marriage was even more substantial among those currently in a state or municipal civil partnership or an overseas civil union.
“This suggests that alternatives to marriage, such as civil unions, can be important for those who do not wish to marry but are clearly not a substitute for the many who do,” Ms Dane said.
Results from the survey showed that the numbers for marriage were even higher for younger participants. Over 65% of those under 20, and over 62% of those under 30 selected marriage as their personal choice.
This upward trend in the personal preference for marriage among same-sex attracted Australians runs parallel with the growing number of countries overseas allowing for marriage equality and the majority of Australians who are now in favour of extending the right to marry to same-sex couples.
“The findings work to dispel the myth that most same-sex people do not wish to marry or are content with de facto status,” Ms Dane said.
“This majority preference for marriage may be a reflection of the fact that fewer same-sex couples feel the need to live their lives in secret. Although same-sex sexuality is still stigmatised at some level, a generally less hostile environment means same-sex couples can live their lives more openly and honestly and in doing so wish to be treated like everyone else.”
The relationship recognition findings are part of the larger anonymous Not So Private Lives survey examining several aspects of sexual-minority life including the way people disclose their sexual orientation, perceptions of acceptance, relationship satisfaction and views on religion and parenting.
The survey was open to all same-sex attracted adults who were either citizens or residents of Australia.
A report providing more detail on the above findings can now be viewed at www.notsoprivatelives.com. A summary of the results from the full survey are expected to be made available by late November.
Media: Sharon Dane (0403 895 268, s.dane@psy.uq.edu.au) or Melinda Kopanakis (07 3365 8820, m.kopanakis@uq.edu.au)
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