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    Legalized Same-Sex Marriage May Boost Gay Men's Health

    THURSDAY, Dec. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Gay men who live in states where same-sex marriage is legal are healthier, have less stress, make fewer doctor visits and have lower health-care costs, a new study finds.

    It included more than 1,200 patients at a large Massachusetts health clinic that provides services for gay men and other sexual minorities.

    During the 12 months after the 2003 legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, there was a significant decrease in medical care visits, mental health visits and mental health-care costs among gay and bisexual men, compared to the 12 months before the law changed.

    This led to a 13 percent reduction in health-care visits and a 14 percent reduction in health-care costs. The health benefits were similar for single gay men and those with partners.

    No reduction was seen in HIV-related health visits by HIV-positive men, which suggests that those in need of HIV/AIDS care continued to use needed health-care services, the researchers said.

    The study was published online Dec. 15 in the American Journal of Public Health.

    "These findings suggest that marriage equality may produce broad public health benefits by reducing the occurrence of stress-related health conditions in gay and bisexual men," lead author Mark Hatzenbuehler, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, said in a foundation news release.

    Lesbians weren't included in the study because there were too few who visit the clinic.

    Previous research has shown that not having the legal right to marry can have a stressful effect on gays, lesbians and bisexuals, according to the release.

    "This research makes important contributions to a growing body of evidence on the social, economic and health benefits of marriage equality," Hatzenbuehler said.

    More information

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health.

     

    13 comments

    • Kelly  •  Uxbridge, United Kingdom  •  5 mths ago
      I AM A LESBIAN WOMAN WHO IS WITH ANOTHER LESBIAN WOMAN! AND I AM PROUD OF IT! more than what most people can say these days
      • Al Bundy 5 mths ago
        Congrats. I am with a gay man and very proud of ourselves as well. We moved into a new neighborhood and have been welcomed with open arms. T
      • Kelly 5 mths ago
        thats nice to hear good luck with your lovely life together. we have been together nearly 4 years so we are hoping to get married one day :)
      • Layla 5 mths ago
        Me too! My partner & I have been together for almost 9 yrs now! Even w/ all the hate - we are still happy. Congrats to you both!
    • Richard  •  5 mths ago
      So not treating people like second class citizens makes them less stressed so that they become happier and healthier? Well colour me surprised...
    • George K Jr  •  5 mths ago
      As much as I'd love to tout this as I am for gay marriage, I must once again point out that correlation is not causation.
      • MatthewS 5 mths ago
        An attitude like that means we never can never conclude anything no matter what experiments we do in science, medicine, or sociology. This outcome is highly logical. Marriages are supportive and generally lead to less promiscuity. Less stress and fewer sexual partners generally means better health. We have known for a long time that marriage increases life span and improves health in heterosexual couples. It is logical to extend that to homosexual couples, and this study gives evidence of it.
      • George K Jr 5 mths ago
        I'm not going to take shortcuts in science just because I like the outcome. It's not an attitude. It's the proper scientific process. I didn't study in college just so I could ignore it when it became convenient.
    • Jay  •  Birmingham, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Let me see.. a 13% reduction in costs for gay men at one health clinic means gay marriage is okay? They'll grasp for any straw they can get, like the bible doesn't condemn homosexual behavior, which it clearly does. If you dont like God, fine, go live your life your way but don't force me to say it's kosher.
      • MatthewS 5 mths ago
        Yes, god wants people to be sicker and more miserable. That's a great deity you've got there.

        No one is forcing you to say anything. You're the one trying to force me to change.
    • STEPHEN  •  London, United Kingdom  •  5 mths ago
      Well, duh! Maybe it's something to do with not having kids. And who let the bible-bashers in?
    • ConstantCraving  •  5 mths ago
      Awesome!
    • Kelly  •  London, United Kingdom  •  5 mths ago
      silly homophobic people - those who judge are committing a sin in the first place you prunes! not all for God there are you? God does not allow you to judge yet there u are like utter hypocritical people, judging. we are all made in God's image - so he is everything we are. I am a lesbian woman and am more mature in the way that i don't get a hit out of making fun of people who are different. may be if the rest of the world was like that there would be less war - then there would be less judgemental and hostile people in the world. i'd say the religious people on here are not as religious as they should be to be fair. i'd say being in love and having happiness in our lives isn't wrong at all - going around pointing the finger, judging people for who they are (even if it is the 21st century!!) is wrong so get a life!! times have changed since the Bible - people are more liberal and accepting which they should be - apart from the SELECT FEW!!!!
      • Prissy Casablancas 5 mths ago
        if we are to believe homosexuality is a sin...then we must abide by that by wearing polyester we're condemned to hell!
    • May Pang Ping Pong  •  5 mths ago
      Stop the sodomy
    • Al Bundy  •  Kenosha, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Of course there is less stress gay men are finally getting to marry men and NOT having to be forced to marry women as beards.
    • bgs9man  •  5 mths ago
      Health care cost are down for gays because there is no cure for aids, thus no treatment is needed!
    • Judy  •  Cicero, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Leviticus 18:22 KJV
      God's word says living a gay lifestyle is a sin, simple, is wrong
    • James  •  West Harrison, United States  •  5 mths ago
      It is an abomination. God's wrath could come upon us!! Please stop this non-sense!
    • jon  •  Makati City, Philippines  •  5 mths ago
      boost gay men's health but AIDS spreader to the partner...LOL
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