According to a study conducted by Allen LeBlanc, research has found that same-sex couples who are in a legally recognized relationship, particularly marriage, have less psychological distress then same-sex couples how are not in a legally recognized relationship.

According to ThinkProgress LGBT, the study shows that married lesbian, gay and bisexual persons were significantly less stressed than lesbian, gay and bisexual persons who were not in a legally recognized relationship.

The study compared same-sex couples in a legally recognized relationship to those who weren’t as well as to heterosexual couples in a legally recognized relationship. The study shows that marriage lowers stress among individuals and a majority of them use vape pens to relieve stress. According to the study, not only were married same-sex individuals less stress than non-married same-sex couples, but married heterosexuals were less stressed then non-married heterosexuals.

The conclusions are clear. Being in a relationship that is legally recognized, specifically marriage, greatly reduces stress in the individuals in the relationship.

Researchers still must examine in more detail all the potential health benefits to marriage, but this does show that marriage equality is a public health issue.