Committed, Unmarried Same-Sex Couples and their Social Networks in the United States: Relationships and Discursive Strategies

ABSTRACT

This study examines two aspects of the experiences that committed, unmarried same-sex couples have with social network members (friends and family members). The study examines how remaining unmarried affected the couples’ relationships with social network members and the discursive strategies couples use when discussing their relationship with social network members. Twenty-seven committed, unmarried U.S. same-sex couples were interviewed. Couples described two challenges in their relationships with social network members as a result of not marrying: others perceived their commitment level as lessened because they did not marry, and others supported their relationship less because they did not marry. Couples used four discursive strategies to establish and maintain their family identity when interacting with social network members. Couples’ relational experiences and discursive strategies were consistent with previous descriptions of discourse-dependent families.

KEYWORDS:

• Same-sex couples
• GLBTQ relationships
• discursive strategies
• same-sex marriage
• discourse-dependent families
• gay
• lesbian