Background <p>Public debates about the rights of minority groups can heighten minority stress and undermine mental health for individuals within these groups. However, little is known about the impacts of these debates on the relational lives of those affected. Here we leverage qualitative data gathered during the 2017 Australian marriage equality debate—as part of a national postal vote on same-sex marriage—to explore how public discourse questioning the legitimacy of sexual minority relationships affects the relational lives of same-sex couples.</p> Method <p>285 individuals in a same-sex relationship (<i>M</i> age = 39.05 years) responded to questions about their experience of the Australian marriage equality debate. Data were collected in 2017 as part of a broader longitudinal study and analysed using reflective thematic analysis.</p> Results <p>Two themes were generated. Theme one: <i>impacts on relationship functioning and satisfaction</i> included three subthemes describing how the campaign contributed to withdrawal from public affection, strained coping and relational disconnection, and communication breakdown. Theme two: <i>active dyadic coping strategies</i> included two subthemes describing the use of mutual support and solidarity to cope with the effects of the debate, and pragmatic and open communication to navigate the difficulties associated with the campaign.</p> Conclusions and Policy Implications <p>Results highlight the significant relational impacts of public debates focused on the rights of marginalised groups. It is critical that any potential value of a public vote be assessed alongside the clear risk of harm to the lives of minority group members.</p>