This exploratory qualitative study addressed the impacts of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts on the lives of lesbian women. Very little is known about the impacts of this change on the lives of lesbians who participated or declined participation in these types of unions.

The purpose of this study was to describe the subjective experiences of lesbian women using qualitative phenomenology. The central question guiding this research was “What is the meaning of marriage for lesbian women?” The data were derived from interviews and participant observation in addition to library research. Interviews were conducted with 15 self-identified lesbians from diverse backgrounds, 9 of whom had chosen to marry their same-sex partners.

The study utilized the life course theory of human development as well as the ecology of human development perspective (U. Bronfenbrenner, 1979). The findings indicated that the meanings lesbians attach to marriage shift over the life course and are profoundly influenced by the political, social, economic, and historical contexts of their lives. The findings also indicated that lesbians who do not choose to marry sometimes have deeply held beliefs that they locate in feminist or radical ideologies against marriage; as often, however, the respondents expressed legal concerns regarding property rights, ambivalence toward being openly lesbian, and a general lack of interest in marriage (as opposed to cohabitation) as a model for relationships. The findings of this study will add to the body of literature, benefit policymakers, community-based as well as faith-based organizations, community leaders, elected officials, and advocates seeking to engage in dialogue regarding the civil rights of gays and lesbians in the United States.