Gay couples don't all live in fabulous bungalows in California, spacious lofts in Chelsea or cozy one-bedrooms in Park Slope. Still, many of us, when we imagine the lifestyles of same-sex coupes—especially those who don't have children—think about all of that disposable income they must have. This dear readers, is the "gay affluence myth."
While it is true that many gay couples in major metropolitan areas are more well off than their straight counterparts, a new study reports that same-sex families, as a rule are poorer.
From the study:
-One in five children living in a same-sex household is poor compared to one in 10 for children in opposite-sex married families.
-Nationally, 24 percent of lesbians and bisexual women are poor compared to 19 percent of heterosexual women.
-15 percent of gay and bisexual men nationally are poor compared to 13 percent of heterosexual men.
The study's authors theorized that gays and lesbians might be more vulnerable to poverty because of discrimination (employment, insurance and other rights and benefits).
[The Desert Sun: Study: Gay families are poorer]
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