Record Details
The phenomenology of long-term, gay-male relationships
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | The phenomenology of long-term, gay-male relationships |
| Names |
Burton, Mark
(creator) |
| Date Issued | 2001 (iso8601) |
| Note | Access restricted to the OSU Community |
| Abstract | This qualitative study presents the results o f interviews with 19 gay-male couples in long-term relationships. Length of the relationships ranged between 6 and 34 years old. Couples living in Salt Lake City, Utah, San Francisco, California, Portland, Oregon, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, were interviewed. Results indicate 10 core themes common to these gay men who are involved in successful, long-term relationships: (a) These men value autonomy and personal freedom; (b) time together is important in keeping their relationship vibrant; (c) they employ an honest and open communication style; (d) because of the close relationships they have with their partners, they have a strong sense that they are not alone in a culture that generally does not support their sexual orientation; (e) though difficult to define, participants believe that there is something special in their relationships; (f) they establish their own rules for their relationships since there are few, if any, cultural role models for long-term, gay-male relationships; (g) both partners have a strong desire to be involved in a long-term relationship, and they work hard to maintain the relationship; (h) they share resources and efforts for the benefit of the couple; (i) public demonstration of their relationships is important, including wearing rings and creating legal documents that give these men some of the same rights and benefits as married heterosexual couples; and (j) a deep and enduring friendship forms the foundation for the love and commitment that each partner feels for the other. These results provide a blueprint of what successful, long-term, gay-male relationships look like and can be helpful for counselors and therapists working with gay-male couples. Although society does not officially sanction gay-male marriages or committed relationships, there are gay-male dyads who do form longlasting, committed relationships. Presenting information to dispel misconceptions about gay-male relationships is a necessary step in helping to create a society that is supportive and accepting o f those relationships. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Topic | Gay couples -- United States |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/53392 |
