Charlton, BrittanyCorliss, HeatherSpiegelman, DonnaWilliams, KerryAustin, S. Bryn2019-09-212016Charlton, Brittany M., Heather L. Corliss, Donna Spiegelman, Kerry Williams, and S. Bryn Austin. 2016. “Changes in Reported Sexual Orientation Following US States Recognition of Same-Sex Couples.” American Journal of Public Health 106 (12): 2202–4. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2016.303449.0090-00361541-0048http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41384810Objectives. To compare changes in self-reported sexual orientation of women living in states with any recognition of same-sex relationships (e.g., hospital visitation, domestic partnerships) with those of women living in states without such recognition.Methods. We calculated the likelihood of women in the Nurses' Health Study II (n = 69 790) changing their reported sexual orientation between 1995 and 2009. Results. We used data from the Nurses' Health Study II and found that living in a state with same-sex relationship recognition was associated with changing one's reported sexual orientation, particularly from heterosexual to sexual minority. Individuals who reported being heterosexual in 1995 were 30% more likely to report a minority orientation (i.e., bisexual or lesbian) in 2009 (risk ratio = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = 1.05, 1.61) if they lived in a state with any recognition of same-sex relationships compared with those who lived in a state without such recognition. Conclusions. Policies recognizing same-sex relationships may encourage women to report a sexual minority orientation. Future research is needed to clarify how other social and legal policies may affect sexual orientation self-reports.en-USJournal Article2019-09-2110.2105/AJPH.2016.303449