How many same-sex marriages actually get divorced?
Divorces Around the discussion of whether or not same-sex marriages should be allowed, one particular number is often forgotten: the number of gay marriages that are divorced over time.
Now, statistics have been published that address this issue. One question that played a particularly important role in this context was: how have the numerous same-sex marriages affected the divorce rate? After all, more marriages also mean more separations at the same time, don't they?
(By way of explanation, the figures shown here are taken from the report of the Federal Statistical Office).
A look at the statistics: how consistent are same-sex marriages?
First of all: of course, same-sex marriages are not immune to divorce. Divorce happens - in the truest sense of the word - in the best families. Also among queers.
According to the said statistics, a total of about 143,800 marriages were divorced in Germany in 2020. In 900 cases, it was same-sex couples who separated. In purely arithmetical terms, the percentage share is therefore 0.6 percent.
How meaningful this figure is, however, only becomes apparent when it is brought into focus in relation to reference values. In 2019, 0.7 percent still separated. What sounds like fewer divorces at first glance, however, is put into perspective somewhat when the overall figures are also taken into account. Because: in total, nine times (!) as many same-sex couples divorced in 2020 as in 2019.
However, one particular point should not be lost sight of: The vast majority of marriages are not divorced "overnight." Same-sex marriage was only permitted about four years ago anyway. Accordingly, the rising numbers are not a wave of divorces, but probably just a normal development. Moreover, since most couples - whether same-sex or not - take even longer to divorce, it could well be that the numbers will continue to rise in the future.
Who wants a divorce and what role do "Wars of the Roses" play?
Admittedly, the current statistics do not show whether and how intensively a war of the roses is fought out. However, one detail could certainly provide information about how amicable the separation was.
One of the subjects of the survey and the statistics was the question of how the divorce petition was filed. In the vast majority of cases (almost 90 percent), one spouse filed the petition, while the other agreed. In seven percent, both parties filed the petition. Only in four percent of cases was the application not approved by one party.
Same-sex marriage in other countries
While same-sex marriage has become "normal" in Germany, queers in many other countries are still fighting for their rights. The discussion on this topic is particularly topical in neighboring Switzerland.
A referendum is to be held here at the end of September to decide whether same-sex couples should be allowed to tie the knot. Just how diverse the debate is here is shown, among other things, by the fact that numerous Swiss artists have now also spoken out, wanting to further promote queer marriage with a song. This kind of "advertising" could work. After all, there are still many people in Switzerland who do not yet know where to put their cross here. However, some forecasts in connection with the upcoming vote give cause for hope. At the moment, it looks like there is not much standing in the way of gay marriage in our neighboring country.
In the Czech Republic, too, there is currently hot talk about banning or allowing same-sex marriage. According to current surveys, however, a large part of the Czech population in particular seems to have no problem with queer weddings. To what extent this openness will affect politics in the country remains to be seen.
Have you heard? The BR prohibits the " *innen".