Gay divorce rate lower than for straight couples

The rate of divorce between same-sex couples in the ACT is substantially lower than between their heterosexual counterparts.

Since May 2008, only nine civil unions pledged between gay couples were terminated, equalling only 1.1 percent of the 799 same-sex unions performed during that period.

At the same time, there were 8711 marriages and 6965 divorces granted in the territory, The Canberra Times reports.

But an adjunct associate professor from the University of Canberra has warned a straight comparison is not possible because the heterosexual divorce rate would include marriages prior to 2008 and, according to the Bureau of Statistics, the median length of marriage before separation is 9.4 years, with most couples divorcing almost 13 years after they wed.

The probability that a traditional marriage will end in divorce is about 33 percent.

Dr Amanda Gordon said the figures did indicate gay couples were staying together longer, which she said may be attributed to the lack of expectation to getting hitched and the conscious decision to do so.

Meanwhile, straight couples showed less commitment to the idea of marriage.

"They didn't have to work for it, if you like. If it ends they can do it again," Dr Gordon said.

As equality increases, Dr Gordon said it was possible the divorce rates between gay unions and straight marriages would be more similar.

Source: The Canberra Times.