LGBT rights are some of the most high profile public policy issues facing policymakers today. From same-sex marriage to antidiscrimination policies, these issues are at the forefront of local, state, and national debates about the appropriate role for public policy in shaping economic and social outcomes for sexual minorities. These issues can also generate strong emotions on both sides, and too often social scientific research is ignored or underutilized for informing these debates. The theme and purpose of this panel is to provide new evidence on the extent and effects of LGBT public policies on socioeconomic, family, and health outcomes.