Gay Men and Romantic Relationships

Gay men in romantic relationships share many of the same qualities that heterosexual pairings do. Issues related to intimacy, sexual activity, conflict resolution, and a host of other interpersonal dynamics are equally present in a same-sex romantic dyad as one involving opposite-sex partners. However, gay men experience unique challenges in seeking and cultivating romantic relationships, due in large part to the pervasiveness of homophobia and heterosexism in society. This entry describes the unique experiences of gay men with respect to their romantic relationships and explores topics related to representation, discrimination, secrecy, internalized homophobia, romantic networking, and marriage equality. The entry concludes with a brief discussion on alternative relationship models within the LGBTQ community.

Dating, Development, and Concealment

Early courtship and dating relationships are common developmental milestones ...

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