Same-sex couples and same-sex unions in Europe

Most West-European countries recognize same-sex marriage and/or partnerships. Taken together as same-sex union registration (SSUR), this paper proposes a comparative study of European SSUR rates. It describes differences between low and high rates, male and female participation, and other contrasts. It brings arguments for understanding the differences using national demographic statistics and in-depth interviews with same-sex couples in twelve European countries.
The paper suggests individualization has paradoxical effects on SSUR: it facilitates legal recognition, but goes with low registration rates. Second, it suggests high feminist values have equally paradoxical effects. Strongly opposed to SSUR at the beginning, lesbian couples took major advantage of it some year later in order to found families. Nevertheless, the overall effect is negative; frequencies remain low in feminist environments. Third, it suggests that high visibility of LGBT communities tends to turn legal recognition into national pride, shared by mainstream media. This “triumphant homosexuality” features high SSUR rates. Only French rates are higher, taking advantage of both homosexual visibility and strong family ties. The non-traditional character of the Pacs seems well adapted to this double-sided adherence.