Our new study finds that marriage can provide stability, mutual support, and greater family acceptance for LGBTQ+ people with disabilities.

More than one-quarter (27%) of the 484 married LGBTQ+ people surveyed reported having a disability, most commonly involving cognitive or mobility challenges. About 15% of respondents said they were caregivers for their spouse.

LGBTQ+ spouses often showed flexibility in managing health crises, caregiving responsibilities, and household labor. Marriage also expanded access to family-based support networks. Among those who required assistance, 62% relied on family for financial support, and 43% received help from their families during a health crisis.

On October 30, Ari Shaw, Senior Fellow and Director of International Programs, took part in the James Chace Memorial Lecture at Bard College. In conversation with Professor Omar Encarnación about his new book, Framing Equality: The Politics of Gay Marriage Wars, Ari discussed the framing of marriage equality campaigns and the influence of transnationalism in LGBTQ+ rights movements.

We’re excited to announce that the Williams Institute is seeking an Executive Director to help guide our next chapter. We’re looking for someone with a passion for rigorous research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, a strong appreciation for the Institute’s voice and values, and deep understanding of the policy issues facing LGBTQ communities. Ideal candidates will hold a J.D. or social science Ph.D., bring senior leadership experience, and have a proven record of innovation and collaboration across a broad range of partners and audiences.

Deadline to apply: January 2, 2026

The Williams Institute’s Global SOGIESC Research Grants Program is designed to encourage new empirical research focused on LGBTI+ populations in the least developed, low- and middle-income countries and amplify the voices of researchers from those regions. The program also aims to strengthen research capacity among participants by supporting networking and knowledge exchange (including a colloquium to present research findings) and providing mentorship, where needed, from Williams Institute scholars.

Join us on World AIDS Day for a discussion on HIV criminalization in the United States. Learn who is most affected by the criminalization of HIV and hear from advocates and policymakers who are advocating for reform, 40 years into the HIV epidemic.

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law is an academic research institute dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.