title: Same-sex marriage and context-specific kinship terms.
abstract: This study investigates whether married gays and lesbians in Massachusetts are using the kinship terms commonly associated with marriage in referring to and introducing their marriage partners and, if not, whether alternative terms are being used in a variety of social contexts. We demonstrate through survey and interview data that marriage-related terms are used discriminately, are consciously chosen, and are context specific. Choices are dependent on a variety of factors related to personal demographics, speech community associations, intimacy, identity, and safety. A significant difference in the use of terms after legal marriage has occurred suggesting a shift in attitude.
authors: Department of Sociology, Salem State University, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. pould@salemstate.edu
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Ould
authors: C Julie
authors: CJ
authors: Whitlow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018454:Spouses; D009626:Terminology as Topic