Illinois was found to have more than 30,000 same-sex couples as of 2005, 22 percent of which are raising children under the age of 18. More than 22,000 same-sex couples were found to be living in Michigan, 18 percent of which are raising children, while only 2,471 same-sex couples were counted in Rhode Island (no information was provided regarding how many of those couples are raising children).

Exactly how were same-sex couples raising children in these states found to be at an economical disadvantage compared to their straight counterparts? According to the Williams Institute’s study:

 
• The median household income of same-sex couples in Illinois raising children in Illinois is $44,000, or 33% less than that of married couples ($65,300). The median household income of same-sex couples with children is $49,177, significantly lower than that of married parents $81,986.
 
• While 51% of same-sex couples with children own a home, a much larger percent of married parents (80%) own a home.

Same-sex parents in Michigan also were found to have fewer financial resources to support their children than married parents, the report suggests.

 
• The median household income of the state's same-sex couples with children is $48,900, or 25% lower than that of married parents ($65,000). The average household income of same-sex couples with children is $58,578, significantly less than $77,447 for married parents.
 
• While 51% of same-sex couples with children own a home, a much larger percent of married parents (87%) own a home.
 
• The median household income of all same-sex couples in Michigan is $58,500, or 6% less than that of married couples ($62,000). The average household income of same-sex couples is $70,126, less than $75,605 for married couples.

As for Rhode Island:

 
• The median household income of the state’s same-sex couples with children is $51,000, or 20% lower than that of married parents ($64,000). The average household income of same-sex couples with children is $49,634, significantly less than $77,948 for married parents.
 
• While only 40% of same-sex couples with children own a home, 77% of married parents own a home.

That’s not to say same-sex couples in these three states aren’t engaged in their local economies. According to the study:

 
• Individuals in same-sex couples in Illinois are more likely to be employed than married individuals: 78% of individuals in same-sex couples, compared to 67% of married individuals, are employed.
 
• Contrary to a popular stereotype, men in same-sex couples have significantly lower incomes than married men. On average, men in same-sex couples in Illinois earn $45,631 per year, compared to $54,509 for married men. The median income of men in same-sex couples in Illinois is $35,000, or 17% less than that of married men ($42,000).
 
• Women in same-sex couples earn an average of $35,396 per year (with a median of $28,500), significantly more than married women, whose earnings average $27,437 (median of $22,000). Women in same-sex couples still earn less than men.

Similar results came out of the research conducted in Michigan and Rhode Island. 

For more information on the Williams Institute studies, go to www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/home.html.