Following the 2015 legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S., researchers conducted a nationwide audit experiment to examine bureaucratic responsiveness at local offices. They investigated whether legal equality translated into practice.

Audit Experiment on Marriage License Issuance

* Tested officials across various jurisdictions and backgrounds

* Assessed responsiveness using multiple measures (e.g., speed, helpfulness)

* Controlled for state legal history

Overall Findings: No Evidence of Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couples

Regardless of the measurement approach or bureaucratic context, we found no systematic discrimination against same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses.

Surprising Difference in Responsiveness to Lesbian vs. Male Couples

Interestingly, officials showed significantly higher responsiveness toward lesbian couples compared to gay male couples, a pattern not observed in other government service contexts.