ABSTRACT
There are sizeable numbers of same-sex couples living in Western nations today. According to data from recent national Censuses, same-sex couples represent 4-10 of every 1,000 couple households in the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012; Gates & Cooke, 2013; Statistics Canada, 2012). This translates into around 650,000 same-sex couples in the U.S.; 44,000 in Canada; and 34,000 in Australia. As societal acceptance of sexual minorities increases and legal recognition of same-sex relationships becomes more widely available, the number of same-sex couples is likely to rise. Indeed, while a publically declared committed relationship was generally not possible for sexual minorities of past generations, the vast majority (over 80%) of lesbian and gay youth today expect to be monogamously partnered after age 30 (D’Augelli, Rendina, & Sinclair, 2007). Consequently, relationship educators are increasingly
likely to encounter same-sex couples seeking services. It is important that culturally sensitive relationship education programs are available for these couples.
