ABSTRACT
After decades of invisibility, the unique experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (collectively denoted sexual-minority) individuals are finally receiving rigorous scholarly attention. Whereas much early research on this population focused on individual-level dynamics and challenges, such as identity development and mental health, the past several decades have witnessed an explosion of research on their close relationships, especially their romantic ties. These studies have broadened our knowledge of the sexual-minority life course and have advanced our understanding of the processes through which sexual orientation shapes day-to-day interpersonal functioning.
