We are pleased to introduce our special issue on LGBTQ Families. In order to maximize space for the research presented, our introduction is necessarily brief.
The articles in our special issue are organized to reflect the broad range of approaches encompassed in the study of LGBTQ Families. Our articles move topically from a discussion of LGBTQ identities/issues with regard to the family unit (Becker & Todd; Haines, Boyer, Giovanazzi, & Galupo), parenting (Tornello & Patterson; Kuvalanka, Mahan, McGuire, & Hoffman), marriage (Riggle, Drabble, Veldhuis, Wootton, & Hughes; Kennedy, Dalla, & Dreesman), and couples (Lannutti; Chan & Erby).
Together, the articles in this special issue offer an interdisciplinary understanding of LGBTQ families and include contributions from the fields of family studies, psychology, gender and women’s studies, communication studies, applied human services, social work, and media/cultural studies. The special issue represents both theoretical and empirical research and incorporates qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. It is our hope that the special issue will create a useful framework from which to view LGBTQ identity and family.