Bai Yihong, Kim Chungah, Cao Peiya, Chum Antony
School of Kinesiology and Health Science, 301F Stong College, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, Canada.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
Arch Sex Behav. 2025 Feb;54(2):423-431. doi: 10.1007/s10508-024-03067-1. Epub 2025 Jan 15.
Critiques from queer theory have suggested that the legalization of same-sex marriage (SSM) predominantly benefits White, middle-class segments of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) community. This study investigates the impact of the legalization of SSM on mental health among Black LGB individuals, focusing on those with lower incomes in the UK. Using a nationally representative panel sample and employing a quasi-experimental methodology, we analyzed changes in psychological distress and life dissatisfaction following the legalization of SSM. Results indicate that the legalization of SSM significantly reduced psychological distress and improved life satisfaction for Black LGB individuals in the UK, with stronger benefits among those with lower incomes. Specifically, the study found a decrease in psychological distress by 2.61 (95%CI: - 5.07 to - 0.15) points and life dissatisfaction by 0.56 (95%CI: - 0.98 to - 0.14) points relative to Black heterosexual counterparts. When compared to White LGB individuals, further reductions were observed. Notably, the most substantial benefits were seen among lower-income Black LGB participants, who experienced reductions in psychological distress of 5.31 (95%CI: - 9.52 to - 1.11) points and in life dissatisfaction of 1.21 (95% CI: - 2.02 to - 0.40) points compared to their lower-income White LGB counterparts. These findings challenge the assumption, suggested by queer theory, that the legalization of SSM primarily benefits White LGB people. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies that address broader social determinants of health to continue improving mental health for Black LGB individuals.
酷儿理论的批评指出，同性婚姻合法化主要使女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋（LGB）群体中的白人中产阶级受益。本研究调查了同性婚姻合法化对英国低收入黑人LGB群体心理健康的影响。我们使用具有全国代表性的面板样本并采用准实验方法，分析了同性婚姻合法化后心理困扰和生活满意度的变化。结果表明，同性婚姻合法化显著降低了英国黑人LGB群体的心理困扰，提高了他们的生活满意度，对低收入者的益处更大。具体而言，该研究发现，与黑人异性恋者相比，心理困扰减少了2.61（95%CI：-5.07至-0.15）分，生活不满减少了0.56（95%CI：-0.98至-0.14）分。与白人LGB群体相比，心理困扰和生活不满进一步减少。值得注意的是，低收入黑人LGB参与者受益最大，与低收入白人LGB群体相比，他们的心理困扰减少了5.31（95%CI：-9.52至-1.11）分，生活不满减少了1.21（95%CI：-2.02至-0.40）分。这些发现挑战了酷儿理论所提出的假设，即同性婚姻合法化主要使白人LGB群体受益。该研究强调需要制定全面的策略，以解决更广泛的健康社会决定因素，从而持续改善黑人LGB群体的心理健康。
