Released September 2, 2008

URBANA, Ill. -— A new study conducted by Ramona Faith Oswald, a University of Illinois associate professor of family studies found that gay and lesbian couples with children and strong religious beliefs are more likely to legalize their relationship and hold a commitment ceremony.

In the study, 190 people who were cohabiting with a same-sex partner were surveyed to gather a broad range of information about lesbian and gay persons living in downstate Illinois.

Oswald found that the length of relationship was the strongest predictor that a couple would legalize their relationship and they were more likely to belong to a supportive religious congregation than non-legalizing cohabiters.

Oswald says that couples may be using commitment rituals to build cohesion within stepfamilies as the role of gay and lesbian stepparents is often vague. Such ceremonies may help couples validate their sense of belonging and obligation to each other while also demonstrating to friends and relatives that they are a family unit.

To link to a MP3 feature, go to http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4495.html

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http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4495.html

Contacts: Ramona Faith Oswald, (217) 333-2547, roswald@uiuc.edu

Debra Levey Larson, 217-244-2880, dlarson@uiuc.edu