SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- The number of declared same-sex couples in the United States has quadrupled in the last 17 years, according to a recently released UCLA study.
Demographer Dr. Gary Gates of the Williams Institute at the UCLA Law School says the spike is due to growing acceptance around the country, and more couples willing to self identify. The analysis of census data shows the number of gay couples jumped the most in conservative states.
"We looked back at election results from the 1992 election and basically places that voted for George Bush Sr. had the biggest increases. Places that voted for Bill Clinton had the smallest increases," said Gates.
He added that the numbers could be an indication that gay couples are becoming more mainstream and their homosexuality is perceived by the public as part of who they are, rather than their entire identity.
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- The number of declared same-sex couples in the United States has quadrupled in the last 17 years, according to a recently released UCLA study. 
KCBS’ Holly Quan reports
