title: Windsor and Perry: reactions of siblings in same-sex and heterosexual couples.
abstract: The U.S. Supreme Court decisions in U.S. v. Windsor (570 U.S. 307) and Hollingsworth v. Perry (570 U.S. 399) created a focal point for public discussion of marriage equality for same-sex couples. This article reports the results of an exploratory study of the reactions of individuals currently or previously in same-sex couple relationships and a heterosexual sibling who is currently or previously married (N = 371) to the Supreme Court decisions. Thematic content analysis was used to explore participants' responses to an open-ended question on a survey. Reactions of individuals from same-sex couples revealed the following themes: (1) longitudinal perspectives on the advancement of rights for same-sex couples; (2) emotional responses celebrating the decisions or expressing relief; (3) affirmation of their relationship or rights; (4) practical consequences of the extension of rights; and (5) minority stress related to anticipation of future prejudice or discrimination. Themes in the heterosexual siblings' responses were (1) ally support; (2) flat support without emotion or elaboration; (3) indifference to or ignorance about the decisions; and (4) disapproval of the decisions. These themes are compared and discussed in light of prior research on reactions to marriage restriction debates and marriage (in)equality and family relationships.
authors: a CUPPLES Project, Palo Alto University , Palo Alto , California , USA.
authors: Jennifer B
authors: JB
authors: Clark
authors: Ellen D B
authors: ED
authors: Riggle
authors: Sharon S
authors: SS
authors: Rostosky
authors: Esther D
authors: ED
authors: Rothblum
authors: Kimberly F
authors: KF
authors: Balsam
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D035521:Supreme Court Decisions; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: family; gay and lesbian; marriage; qualitative research; same-sex couples; siblings, U.S. Supreme Court