Gay marriage may help improve the mental and physical health of homosexuals, suggests a report in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health that analysed findings from previous studies in different countries.

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Research has shown that gay men and women have higher rates of depression, drug abuse and cancer than heterosexuals. Lesbians have a greater risk of breast cancer, heart disease and obesity than straight women, while gay men have a higher risk of HIV than straight men.

This report found evidence that stable relationships can offer health benefits and that gay marriage or civil partnerships for same-sex couples can reduce prejudice and social exclusion, BBC News reported.

"Civil partnerships are likely to break down some of the prejudice and promote greater understanding, including among staff working in the health service," noted article co-author Professor Michael King of University College London.

"Legal civil partnerships could increase the stability of same-sex relationships and minimise the social exclusion to which gay and lesbian people are often subjected," he said. – (HealthDayNews)

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February 2006
 

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