As we close in on the first decade of same-sex marriage in the United States, now is the time for us to understand more about the particularities of same-sex marriage and how it benefits LGBTQ+ couples. Not surprisingly, there is a wealth of research on heterosexual marriages—demonstrating how these couples benefit from being married—and a dearth on homosexual ones. Until now.

The Institute for Relationship Science at the University of Denver is conducting a first-of-its-kind study on married gay couples and is seeking US-based couples who are engaged or in the first year of their marriage to participate in this research.

The Loveallways study seeks to understand if marriage improves long-term health and prevents stress among LGBTQ+ couples. It aims to do so by exploring the particular ups and downs among gay couples, their biggest joys, and challenges, and how these impact the well-being of two married men. So far, over 90 couples have joined the study and are sharing their marriage stories and experiences. We are already learning so much and are excited to have more couples join the study and help us continue this research.

If you’re selected, you will complete 6 surveys, and participate in select one-on-one interviews with the research team. These will all take place remotely, and each participating individual will be paid for each engagement. You will be involved in the Loveallways study over the course of two years.

Loveallways is led by Nicholas Perry, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Denver. For the past 10 years, his research has focused on minority health, with a focus on sexual and gender minority health, through the lens of romantic couples and families.

If you’re interested in participating in Loveallways, please fill out this interest form.

 As we’ve seen with the engagements and weddings we’ve covered at Men’s Vows and how gay weddings have influenced weddings generally, it is now time to understand the particularities of being newlyweds in a same-sex marriage. This knowledge will no doubt shed light on all relationships. Every love story is worth telling and now, learning from.

Let’s make our way into the second decade of legalized same-sex marriage understanding all the particular benefits of saying “I do” to the man of our dreams.