Gay and Lesbian Couples: Voices from Lasting Relationships

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.

Based on in-depth interviews with partners in gay and lesbian relationships that have lasted more than 15 years, this book focuses on how partners worked out their roles, the nature of relational fit between them, conflict management, social supports, and change in sexual and psychological intimacy over the years.

Library Journal

Combining the perspectives and methods of social work, counseling, and gerontology, this thorough examination details what characterizes long-term gay and lesbian couples. Using a life-span perspective to integrate their approach, the authors conducted lengthy interviews with 36 couples that have been together over 15 years. The relational themes explored include communication strategies, support networks, conflict management, and partner roles. The most interesting chapter compares lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples. Academic libraries collecting gender studies, psychology, and social work will be the most interested in this book because so little substantive research has been done.David S. Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia

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.