title: The influence of same-sex marriage on the understanding of same-sex relationships.
abstract: This study examines the ways in which legally recognized same-sex marriage affects the understanding of same-sex romantic relationships for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. Participants (N = 288) responded to an open-ended Web-based survey asking them to describe how legally recognized same-sex marriage influenced their view of their own romantic relationship or romantic relationships in general. Results indicate that legally recognized same-sex marriage impacted participants' understanding of romantic relationships by making existing relationships seem more real and by serving as a tool through which participants realized their desires for ideal potential partner and relationship characteristics. The results suggest that legally recognized same-sex marriage is seen as both beneficial and challenging for samesex couples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. pamela.lannutti.1@bc.edu
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lannutti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000523:psychology