The American Psychiatric Association approved a statement in support of legalizing gay marriage. According to the Washington Post the Association supports gay marriage "in the interest of maintaining and promoting mental health and "The document states that the association is addressing same-sex civil marriage, not religious marriages. It takes no position on any religion's views on marriage."

A press release on the association's website states "Denying Same-Sex Couples Legal Access to Civil Marriage is Discriminatory and Can Adversely Affect the Psychological, Physical, Social and Economic Well-Being of Gay and Lesbian Individuals"

The American Psychiatric Association is one of the top medical association's in the USA with more than 35,000 physician members in the USA and internationally. The American Psychiatric Association approved a statement in support of legalizing gay marriage. According to an Associated Press (AP) article in the Washington Post the Association supports gay marriage "in the interest of maintaining and promoting mental health."