Gay and Lesbian Couples: Voices from Lasting Relationships

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Description

The voices in this book come from the stories of gay and lesbian partners who talk about their struggles over the years in building a life together. The stories reach beyond the obvious realities of sexual orientation to speak to the joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears of human beings who are committed to making their relationships work. Based on a life-span perspective, in-depth interviews of people whose relationships have lasted more than 15 years explored how partners adapted over the years. Each interview consisted of questions that focused upon dimensions of these relationships over time from the unique perspective of each partner. They were asked about conflict over the years, decision-making styles, ways of working out roles, the importance of social supports, and sexual and psychological intimacy. The research upon which the book is based has continuity with the authors' earlier work on lasting relationships among heterosexual couples, including Lasting Marriages: Men and Women Growing Together (Praeger, 1995). Compared to marriages, relatively little research has been done on the development of same sex relationships. This book will be of great interest to all researchers and students of gender differences, marriage and family therapy, human sexuality, and interpersonal relationships.

Reviews

"This thoughtful, well documented study of the relationships between members of same-sex couples adds a very welcome dose of reality to the often unreal debate now being conducted about same-sex marriage. Unlike the demagogues who have sought to inflame public opinion, these authors have taken the trouble to study what is actually involved in same-sex relationships. Their conclusions are thus sensible, well documented, and, for the demagogues, disappointingly unscandalous."-Congressman Barney Frank Congress of the United States House of Representatives
.,."a useful reference for a therapist who knows little about working with gay or lesbian clients in commited relationships. Lay people interested in learning about these relationships might also be interested in the information presented here."-Archives of Sexual Behavior
"Strengths of the book include its ability to look at gay and lesbian coupling from a non-heterosexist perspective... [T]he book is easy to read and flows quite comfortably."-The Lesbian Review of Books
...a useful reference for a therapist who knows little about working with gay or lesbian clients in commited relationships. Lay people interested in learning about these relationships might also be interested in the information presented here.-Archives of Sexual Behavior
[T]his study offers an essential preliminary view of the dynamics in lasting gay and lesbian relationships and is likely to be an abundant source of ideas for future research.-Journal of Marriage and the Family
Combining the perspectives and methods of social work, counseling, and gerontology, this thorough examination details what characterizes long-term gay and lesbian couples....Academic libraries collecting gender studies, psychology, and social work will be the most interested in this book.-Library Journal
Strengths of the book include its ability to look at gay and lesbian coupling from a non-heterosexist perspective... [T]he book is easy to read and flows quite comfortably.-The Lesbian Review of Books
The book is a solid, careful, and respectful contribution to the literature.-Feminism, Community, and Communication
"This study offers an essential preliminary view of the dynamics in lasting gay and lesbian relationships and is likely to be an abundant source of ideas for future research."-Journal of Marriage and the Family
..."a useful reference for a therapist who knows little about working with gay or lesbian clients in commited relationships. Lay people interested in learning about these relationships might also be interested in the information presented here."-Archives of Sexual Behavior
"[T]his study offers an essential preliminary view of the dynamics in lasting gay and lesbian relationships and is likely to be an abundant source of ideas for future research."-Journal of Marriage and the Family
"The book is a solid, careful, and respectful contribution to the literature."-Feminism, Community, and Communication
"Combining the perspectives and methods of social work, counseling, and gerontology, this thorough examination details what characterizes long-term gay and lesbian couples....Academic libraries collecting gender studies, psychology, and social work will be the most interested in this book."-Library Journal

Author Bio

RICHARD A. MACKEY is Professor at the Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College. BERNARD A. O'BRIEN is Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods, School of Education, Boston College. EILEEN F. MACKEY has worked in the field of gerontology as an administrator.