Indeed gay and lesbian adults keep in steady contact with their family of origin members–most especially parents–as they age into adulthood. The adult child-parent tie is one of the most enduring and central of our social relationships, with most parents and children having weekly contact, exchanging support and love, and of course experiencing conflict.
Of course, like all other Americans, gay and lesbian adults have primary relationships outside of their romantic partnerships. However, the continued focus on same-sex marriage in the media, by states, and by local governments, and by scholars and researchers leaves other arenas of the family lives of gay and lesbian adults relatively unexplored. The growing support for same-sex marriage rights represents an important shift in the everyday lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the United States today.
