Rings and Rebuttals: A Quasi-Experimental Study on the Psychological Impact of Marriage Equality on Low-Income Black Sexual Minorities in the United Kingdom

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.

本研究关注同性婚姻合法化对英国黑人LGB群体，尤其是低收入群体的心理健康影响。研究问题探讨同性婚姻合法化是否对黑人LGB个体，尤其是低收入群体的心理困扰和生活不满产生显著影响，及其对改善心理健康的潜在作用。

本研究使用了英国家庭纵向研究（UK Household Longitudinal Study）的数据，分析了同性婚姻合法化对黑人LGB个体的心理健康影响。研究样本包括16岁及以上的个体，数据来源于2011至2017年的第2至第9波。通过选择同性恋、双性恋和其他非异性恋的黑人群体，研究建立了三个对比组：黑人异性恋群体、英国白人LGB群体和收入在50%以下的黑人LGB群体。研究使用了Callaway和Sant'Anna差异法（CSDID）来评估政策影响，控制了包括年龄、性别、教育程度、婚姻状况、劳动市场状态和收入在内的协变量。此外，研究还进行了敏感性测试，以验证结果的稳健性，并使用了微观数据中的个体内估算方法来消除选择偏差和非响应影响。

本研究发现，同性婚姻合法化对英国低收入黑人LGB群体的心理健康产生了显著的正面影响，尤其是相较于黑人异性恋群体和白人LGB群体，黑人LGB群体在心理困扰和生活不满方面的减轻效果更加显著。低收入黑人LGB个体比低收入白人LGB个体受益更多，心理困扰和生活不满均有较大减少。研究挑战了酷儿理论关于同性婚姻合法化主要惠及白人LGB群体的批评，强调同性婚姻合法化通过社会认可和法律保障对黑人LGB个体，尤其是低收入群体的心理健康产生了重要的改善作用，尽管黑人LGB个体的结婚率较低，法律承认仍能有效减轻其心理困扰。此外，研究指出，虽然同性婚姻合法化对黑人LGB群体的社会认同和心理健康有积极影响，但仍无法解决诸如警察暴力、收入不平等等结构性问题，呼吁在推动同性婚姻合法化的同时，需关注广泛的社会健康决定因素。