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Metro areas with the highest percentages of same-sex couples who are raising children are located in socially conservative states with constitutional bans on marriage equality in place.
At 26 percent, Salt Lake City, Utah topped the list of large U.S. cities with the most same-sex couples raising children, while at the state level, Mississippi had the highest percentage, also with 26 percent. Following closely behind were Virginia Beach, Va., Detroit and Memphis, Tenn.
Interestingly, smaller cities showed even higher rates of same-sex parents. More than 60 percent of same-sex couples in the North Dakota towns of Grand Forks and Bismarck were raising children.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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I have to wonder how many of these family arrangements come from previous heterosexual marriages and relationships with underlying closeted homosexuality.
I have to wonder how many of these family arrangements come from previous heterosexual marriages and relationships with underlying closeted homosexuality.
From the article
"LGBT people in socially conservative areas likely come out later in life and are more likely to have relationships with different-sex partners while they are young that sometimes produce children," Gary J. Gates, the researcher behind the study,
I'm guessing this has at least a little to do with the fact that more liberal northern cities are bigger draws for people who aren't ready to settle down yet, whatever their sexual orientation is, so in San Francisco, there will be a lot more gay couples without kids than in, say, Oklahoma City.
Does this study mention absolute numbers in addition to percentages. It's possible to have a high percentage but low number of same sex couples with kids.
I have to wonder how many of these family arrangements come from previous heterosexual marriages
This may have something to do with it but with the gay couples I know from my church* most with children were born or adopted after the couple were formed.
* This may come as a shock to some that "open and affirming" churches exist in the south. Gay and straight people worshiping together - what a concept.
I agree, not all churches preach hate. I been to and love the people of at least four in Charlotte area that are mix straight and gay congregations. I actually prefer going to those churches than like a Unitarian or a church with a majority gay congregation.
In relation to the thread title however the county Charlotte is in as well as 7 others voted against NC amendment 1.
Y'all brought up an interesting point or theory on the couples became families.
The child may have come from dating someone of the opposite sex. The few I know is how it is.
It would be great data for census to do and this includes straight couples. List kids from previous relationships.
I also ponder is there a difference between amount of gay families and straight families in the cities or states listed in my OP, or are they close to the same with just better area for families in general.
"LGBT people in socially conservative areas likely come out later in life and are more likely to have relationships with different-sex partners while they are young that sometimes produce children," Gary J. Gates, the researcher behind the study,
I'm guessing this has at least a little to do with the fact that more liberal northern cities are bigger draws for people who aren't ready to settle down yet, whatever their sexual orientation is, so in San Francisco, there will be a lot more gay couples without kids than in, say, Oklahoma City.
When did San Francisco become a northern city?
I was thinking that any large city is probably more of a draw for people who want to party and experience that side of gay life - not just "northern cities". Places like Salt Lake City and Mississippi are probably much more conducive to raising a family than to being single.
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