Relationships of Sexual and Gender Minorities
There is very little research on same-gender couples, so not that much is known about relationship development patterns or unique predictors of couple health. One of our recently completed research projects, called the Same-Sex Relationship Development Study, aimed to better understand these issues, through a large online study of adults in same-gender relationships of 6 months or longer (who are living with their partners).
TCF is dedicated to helping same-gender couples build and maintain happy, stable relationships and families. We have developed the Strengthening Same-Sex Relationships Programs to help male and female same-gender couples learn skills that can maximize their chances of relationship success. The programs have shown promising effects with male couples in Boston and Cincinnati, and with female couples in Cincinnati and Denver. Specifically, the programs appear to help couples improve their communication with each other, reduce stress levels, and strengthen relationship satisfaction.
Close to one million committed same-gender couples live in the United States-- around one-fourth of them are raising children together. Further, the vast majority of sexual minority youth today expect to be in long-term, monogamous relationships and to parent children when they become adults.
Unfortunately, same-gender couples face several unique challenges to maintaining stable relationships. Discrimination due to sexual orientation can place stress on relationships and family life, and result in a lack of social support. Further, there are no well-established norms or role models to guide gay and lesbian partners in their relations with each other, their children, relatives, and other community members.
