Same Sex Civil Unions Improve Health
28th March 2006
In an analysis published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health Sciences, Dr Annie Bartlett of the Division of Mental Health Sciences concluded that same sex civil unions could boost the mental and physical health of gay men and women.
In an analysis published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health Sciences, Dr Annie Bartlett of the Division of Mental Health Sciences concluded that same sex civil unions could boost the mental and physical health of gay men and women. She also argued that the same health benefits associated with heterosexual marriages could also arise from same sex unions.
Dr Bartlett co-wrote the report with Professor Michael King of University College London, and they point to evidence which suggests that gay men and lesbians do not receive the same standard of health care as straight people.
They found that rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and suicidal behaviour were also all higher among gay men and women. Discrimination, prejudice and intolerance on religious grounds were likely to be partly to blame for this but they suggested that civil partnerships were likely to break down some of this prejudice and promote greater understanding, including among staff working in the health service.
They went on to argue that legal civil partnerships could increase the stability of same sex relationships and minimise the social exclusion to which gay men and lesbians are often subjected.
Previous research from countries where same sex civil unions are already recognised showed that “married” same sex couples had greater openness about their sexual orientation and closer relationships with their relatives than same sex couples not in civil partnerships.
However, although they “recognise that marriage is by no means a panacea for health issues, legal recognition of civil partnerships seems likely to go some way to stabilise same sex relationships, create a focus for celebration with families and friends, and provide vital protection at time of dissolution”.
They conclude that “health providers could learn from their colleagues in AIDS focused service organisations to provide competent, compassionate and comprehensive health care to same sex partners whom they encounter in their practices.”
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