Census: Number of Gay Couples in R.I. Increased 48 Percent Over Last Decade

The number of same-sex couples who live in Rhode Island has risen 48 percent over the last decade, according to statistics from the 2010 census.

The 2010 census recorded 3,664 same-sex households in the Ocean State, compared with 2,471 in 2000. This 48 percent increase came as no surprise to Gary J. Gates, a researcher at the University of California at Los Angeles Law School's Williams Institute, which studies sexual orientation and public policy.

"Rhode Island is running roughly what the national average is," said Gates.

Gates does not believe this increase does not amount to much of a change in the composition of Rhode Island. "The bulk of that is likely increased willingness to report," he said, meaning more same-sex couples who concealed their relationship on census forms in 2000 may have been open about it on the 2010 forms.

Gates reported recent surveys have found that 10 percent of gay and lesbian couples described themselves as roommates, one of the 14 relationship options on census forms.

He said other studies have found only small increases in coupling behavior among gay men and lesbians. That, along with Rhode Island's total population remaining virtually unchanged from 2000 to 2010, makes it unlikely that the number of same-sex couples actually increased.

Rhode Island ranks fifth among the six New England states in the number of same-sex households, ahead of only Vermont.

The percentage of Rhode Island households headed by same-sex partners also rose from 2000 to 2010, though it's still miniscule. It stood at .89 percent in 2010, up from .61 percent a decade earlier. Rhode Island ranks fifth in New England, ahead of only Connecticut.

Rhode Island's 48 percent gain in the number of households compares with a New England average gain of 52 percent, with New Hampshire leading the way at 71 percent.

Households headed by female partners were more common than those headed by male partners, 2,075 to 1,589 respectively.
"You would expect more female couples than male couples," said Gates, referring to other more detailed studies.

"Lesbians are more likely to be in a cohabiting relationship than gay men."

Rhode Island had 31 percent more female-partner households than male, the smallest margin in New England. Vermont led with a 71 percent margin--1,774 to 1,024.

"Male couples tend to be more urban than their female counterparts," said Gates, noting men tend to earn more money than women do and can afford to live in cities. He said women are more likely to have children than gay men, making suburban and rural areas more appealing to them.

This trend played out in Rhode Island.

Male-partner households represented that largest percentage of the overall population in Providence, Little Compton and Cranston. For female-partner households, it was New Shoreham, Foster and Richmond.

Twenty-two percent of same-sex households in Rhode Island had children in 2010, a figure the Census Bureau did not report for 2000. That compares with 32 percent of opposite-sex households.

LGBT activists embraced the study's conclusions.

"While there are significant flaws in the US Census Bureau's methodology, it is important to recognize that 10 years ago the federal government had no interest in even counting the number of same-sex households," said Marriage Equality Rhode Island Campaign Director Ray Sullivan. "The fact is Rhode Island remains a place where the government does not equally respect and recognize its LGBTQ citizens. MERI is fighting everyday to change that."

Governor Lincoln Chafee signed a civil unions bill into law in July, but the state's LGBT activists continue to push for full marriage for same-sex couples.

"The recently reported U. S. census data reflects an important trend that our elected leaders can no longer ignore," added Sullivan. "A majority of Rhode Islanders believe that gay and lesbian couples in loving, committed relationships deserve equal rights, recognition and protection under the law. With the 2012 election just around the corner, the members of the General Assembly would do themselves well to recognize that."