title: Changes in Reported Sexual Orientation Following US States Recognition of Same-Sex Couples.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare changes in self-reported sexual orientation of women living in states with any recognition of same-sex relationships (e.g., hospital visitation, domestic partnerships) with those of women living in states without such recognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We calculated the likelihood of women in the Nurses' Health Study II (n = 69 790) changing their reported sexual orientation between 1995 and 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used data from the Nurses' Health Study II and found that living in a state with same-sex relationship recognition was associated with changing one's reported sexual orientation, particularly from heterosexual to sexual minority. Individuals who reported being heterosexual in 1995 were 30% more likely to report a minority orientation (i.e., bisexual or lesbian) in 2009 (risk ratio = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = 1.05, 1.61) if they lived in a state with any recognition of same-sex relationships compared with those who lived in a state without such recognition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Policies recognizing same-sex relationships may encourage women to report a sexual minority orientation. Future research is needed to clarify how other social and legal policies may affect sexual orientation self-reports.
authors.affiliation: At the time of study, Brittany M. Charlton and S. Bryn Austin were with the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Heather L. Corliss was with the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Donna Spiegelman was with the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston. Kerry Williams was with the Public Law Practice, Webber Wentzel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Brittany M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.affiliation: At the time of study, Brittany M. Charlton and S. Bryn Austin were with the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Heather L. Corliss was with the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Donna Spiegelman was with the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston. Kerry Williams was with the Public Law Practice, Webber Wentzel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Corliss
authors.affiliation: At the time of study, Brittany M. Charlton and S. Bryn Austin were with the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Heather L. Corliss was with the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Donna Spiegelman was with the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston. Kerry Williams was with the Public Law Practice, Webber Wentzel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spiegelman
authors.affiliation: At the time of study, Brittany M. Charlton and S. Bryn Austin were with the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Heather L. Corliss was with the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Donna Spiegelman was with the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston. Kerry Williams was with the Public Law Practice, Webber Wentzel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: At the time of study, Brittany M. Charlton and S. Bryn Austin were with the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Heather L. Corliss was with the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Donna Spiegelman was with the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston. Kerry Williams was with the Public Law Practice, Webber Wentzel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: S Bryn
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D018454:Spouses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult