Full Citation

Title: The effect of same-sex marriage legalization on interstate migration in the USA

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2022

ISBN:

ISSN: 0933-1433

DOI: 10.1007/s00148-021-00842-5

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Abstract: This paper analyzes the impact of marriage regulations on the migratory behavior of individuals using the history of the liberalization of same-sex marriage across the USA. The legalization of same-sex marriage allows homosexuals’ access to legal rights and social benefits, which can make marriage more attractive in comparison to singlehood or other forms of partnership. The results clearly show that legalization increased the migration flow of gay men to states that legalized same-sex marriage. We do not detect statistically significant effects for women in the short term. Supplemental analysis, developed to explore whether the migration flow translated to a significant effect on the number of homosexuals by state, suggests that the increase after the legalization of same-sex marriage was transitory. Legalization of same-sex marriage also reduces the incentives for non-US-native individuals originating from intolerant countries to move to a state that permits same-sex marriage.

Url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-021-00842-5

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Marcén, Miriam; Morales, Marina

Periodical (Full): Journal of Population Economics

Issue: 2

Volume: 35

Pages: 441-469

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage, Migration and Immigration, Population Mobility and Spatial Demography

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