Who makes the man who makes the woman?
Contrary to popular belief, which is still tenacious, two men in a relationship or two women in a relationship do not necessarily reproduce the traditional roles of a heterosexual couple. In a couple of women, there is not one who "makes the man" and the other who "makes the woman". The same goes for male couples. As with heterosexual couples, the division of labor varies between couples. Commitment, support, mutual aid, equality, complementarity and the sharing of tasks are among the values defended by same-sex couples in the same way as heterosexual couples.
First love
It is often during a love affair with another person of the same sex that a person becomes aware of their homosexuality. As with everyone, these feelings may not be mutual, but if they are, it can be the start of a great love story. Will it be a love of a summer or a love of a lifetime, only the future knows!
Sexuality
As with heterosexual couples, same-sex couples are most often formed around romantic and emotional feelings. Sexuality is certainly part of a lot of couples' relationships, and it may even be her who kindled the flame, but it's important not to reduce a couple to that. Couples relationships are based on so much more!
Sexuality takes a different place and form in each couple. Regardless of a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, it is important to respect their privacy. Each couple determines their sexual behavior and their commitment to the other.
ISSUES
The right to love
Only 26 states recognize marriage for same-sex couples. In addition, in 72 states homosexuality is still illegal (see our International page)
Several states recognize a legal status for same-sex couples without going as far as marriage. As for religious ceremonies, it is up to the churches to decide on their rules of conduct.
The recognition of the union has important repercussions on the right to receive a pension or an inheritance, or to make decisions for the health of our spouse.
Families
Many LGBTQ + people, whether alone or in a couple, wish to have children by adoption or assisted reproduction, and in a small number of countries like Canada, children will have legal parentage with both parents, but this is not the case. case of most countries.
Domestic violence
Same-sex couples, made up of two women or two men, often experience the same happiness and the same difficulties as different-sex couples. Unfortunately, just like heterosexual couples, same-sex couples are at risk of spousal abuse.
However, the subject remains very little discussed and many are less likely to seek help for fear of the look on their relationship. This is even more the case if the person lives in an area where homosexuality is penalized, because he risks being arrested if he admits to being in a relationship with a person of the same sex.
CHIFFRES
Proportion des Canadien.ne.s à l’aise de voir un couple de même sexe s’embrasser sur la bouche (2013)
21% of Canadians believe that a male couple is not as likely as a heterosexual couple to have a long-term romantic relationship (2011)
Did you know ?
In a 2018 UK study, over 2/3 of respondents said they avoided holding hands with their same-sex partner in public to avoid a negative reaction from others.
COUPLES THAT HAVE MARKED HISTORY
Many celebrity same-sex couples have made their mark in history, literature, the arts, politics and science in all civilizations and throughout all eras. Of these couples, some have remained discreet about their relationship. Others, more daring, have claimed their difference and their right to equality.
Who have become role models for generations of gays and lesbians, including: Leonardo da Vinci and Salai, Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud, Marguerite Yourcenar and Grace Frick, Frida Kahlo and Chavela Vargas, Rock Hudson and Marc Christian MacGinnis, Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova, Matthew Mitcham and Lachlan Fletcher, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi, George Smitherman and Christopher Peloso, Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard, Adam Lambert and Drake LaBry.