What does marriage mean to LGBTQ couples now that marriage equality is the law nationwide?

Key Takeaways

• Marriage remains a real goal for many LGBTQ adults under 50, with 59% of never-married adults saying they want to get married someday.
• Younger LGBTQ adults show a stronger interest in marriage, with 67% of adults ages 18 to 29 wanting to get married compared with 48% of adults ages 30 to 49.
• Marriage still matters after a past relationship ends, with 46% of previously married LGBTQ adults under 50 saying they want to get married again.

Ten years after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, marriage still matters to many LGBTQ adults under 50. Pew Research shows that many still see marriage as part of their future, even as their views on children, timing, and remarriage vary. 

Do LGBTQ Adults Under 50 Want To Be Married?

Pew Research data shows that marriage remains a common goal for many LGBTQ adults under 50 who have never married. This data pushes back on the idea that LGBTQ adults see marriage as less relevant or less important than other adults do.

A few numbers stand out right away:

• 59% of never-married LGBTQ adults under 50 want to get married someday
• 63% of never-married non-LGBTQ adults under 50 say the same

The research also found no notable gender differences in either group among adults who have never married. 

How Does Age Affect LGBTQ Adults’ Interest in Marriage?

Younger adults showed much stronger interest in marriage than adults ages 30 to 49. Among LGBTQ adults who have never married:

• 67% of those ages 18 to 29 want to get married someday
• 48% of those ages 30 to 49 say the same

The same pattern shows up among non-LGBTQ adults:

• 73% of people ages 18 to 29 want to get married someday
• 49% of people ages 30 to 49 say the same

Those numbers show that age shapes marriage goals in both groups. Younger LGBTQ adults still see marriage as part of the future at fairly high rates. This helps explain why overall interest remains strong.

Do Previously Married LGBTQ Adults Under 50 Want Marriage Again?

Marriage still appeals to many LGBTQ adults under 50 whose first marriage has ended. Pew found that among adults younger than 50 who are divorced, widowed, or separated, 46% of LGBTQ adults say they want to get married again someday.

That share is higher than the 33% of non-LGBTQ adults in the same situation who said the same. Non-LGBTQ adults were also more likely to say they were unsure. 

Do LGBTQ Adults Want Children?

Among adults under 50 who don’t have children, 33% of LGBTQ adults say they want children someday. Among non-LGBTQ adults without children, 47% say the same. 

That gap shows that marriage and parenthood don’t always carry the same meaning or timeline for every group. Even so, many LGBTQ adults still see family-building as part of their future, even if that path looks different from more traditional expectations.

Get Ordained Through an Organization That Repects LGBTQ Couples

Because marriage still holds deep meaning for so many LGBTQ couples, the person leading the ceremony should get ordained through an organization that values inclusion rather than limiting who belongs. The Universal Life Church offers free online ordination in minutes, and that ordination lasts for life. New ministers get access to ceremony resources and help with marriage licensing, which is useful if you have never officiated before. If you feel called to serve couples and help them celebrate a meaningful commitment, get ordained through The Universal Life Church and become a minister today.