# Identifying same-sex couples (married or otherwise)

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/identifying-same-sex-couples-married-or-otherwise/4584>\
**Category:** CPS\
**Created:** [April 4, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/identifying-same-sex-couples-married-or-otherwise/4584 "2022-04-04T19:54:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dougrhess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@dougrhess](https://forum.ipums.org/u/dougrhess)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/identifying-same-sex-couples-married-or-otherwise/4584/1 "2022-04-04T19:54:25Z")

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What codes in the CPS core (I’m using the Nov and Dec supplements if that matters) can be used to identify same-sex couples? If the couple is married and identifies their spouse what variables are the best way to identify them? Moreover, is there a way to identify same-sex couples if they don’t state they are married? I.e., is there a “partnership” response or spouse identified besides via marriage or a connection between partners/spouses even if the marital status selected is not “married”? I don’t know if many households have a couple that is not listed as head of household, which may make matters complex in a few cases if that status is required to find married couples. Thank you for any suggestions.

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**Author:** ![Ivan\_Strahof](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/ivan_strahof/32/626_2.png) [@Ivan\_Strahof](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Ivan_Strahof)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/identifying-same-sex-couples-married-or-otherwise/4584/2 "2022-04-07T21:42:41Z")

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IPUMS family interrelationship variable [SPLOC](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/SPLOC#description_section) provides the person number ([PERNUM](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/PERNUM#codes_section)) of the respondent’s spouse based on an IPUMS algorithm which incorporates responses to [RELATE](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/RELATE#codes_section), [SEX](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/SEX#codes_section), [AGE](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/AGE#codes_section), and occasionally order information. You can find more details on how spouses are matched on the [SPRULE variable description tab](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/SPRULE#description_section). SPLOC includes both married and cohabiting same-sex couples. It does not require either individual to be the householder. You can differentiate between married spouses and cohabiting partners with [MARST](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/MARST#codes_section) and specifically identify same-sex couples by attaching SEX in the attach characteristics option in the extract request menu. If you’re looking for the original self-reported responses, you can find them in the variables [ASPOUSE](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/ASPOUSE#description_section) and [PECOHAB](https://cps.ipums.org/cps-action/variables/PECOHAB#description_section).

I hope that helps!