June 19 (UPI) -- Marriage and the ability to start a family are human rights. Ten years ago, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case extended the right to marry to same-sex couples.
With 7.6% of Americans identifying as LGBTQ+, this decision continues to have an impact beyond legal benefits.
Marriage provides unique advantages - a reality we have come to know as psychology researchers who focus on couples. The right to marry allowed same-sex couples the opportunity to experience these advantages.
Benefits of a healthy marriage
Although evidence largely comes from different-sex couples, psychology research documents the numerous benefits healthy marriage confers on well-being. Married people experience more positive emotions. They also have many physical health advantages, such as being more likely to survive cancer or major surgery. Children of married couples seem to benefit as well.
