Atlanta Axios News | NewsBreak

The number of same-sex married couples in Georgia has seen a significant increase since the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to legalize same-sex marriages nationwide. This landmark ruling, known as Obergefell v. Hodges, requires all states to legally license and recognize same-sex marriages. This includes Georgia, where 5.1% of the population identifies as LGBT.

According to the latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, Georgia was home to more than 38,600 same-sex couple households in 2022. This represents a substantial rise from just over 18,100 in 2008. Of these households, more than 22,000 were married same-sex couples in 2022, a dramatic increase from over 4,200 in 2008.

The increase in Georgia reflects a broader trend seen across the United States. Nationwide, there were more than 1.2 million same-sex couple households in 2022, compared to over 564,700 in 2008. Out of these, more than 740,700 households were married same-sex couples in 2022, a significant rise from nearly 150,000 in 2014.

Historically, this is a significant shift, especially considering that Georgia voters had approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2004. The evolving landscape of same-sex marriage rights and growing acceptance is evident in these numbers. However, the state’s same-sex marriage ban could potentially take effect again if the Supreme Court were ever to overturn the Obergefell decision.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has expressed his personal belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. This stance highlights the ongoing political and social friction surrounding same-sex marriage, even as the number of same-sex married couples continues to rise.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau