Editing Intimate relationship (section)

==== Same-sex intimate relationships ====
Advances in legal [[Same-sex marriage|relationship recognition]] for same-sex couples have helped normalize and legitimize same-sex intimacy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hopkins |first1=Jason J. |last2=Sorensen |first2=Anna |last3=Taylor |first3=Verta |date=2013 |title=Same-Sex Couples, Families, and Marriage: Embracing and Resisting Heteronormativity 1 |url=https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/soc4.12016 |journal=Sociology Compass |language=en |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=97–110 |doi=10.1111/soc4.12016 |issn=1751-9020|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Broadly, same-sex and different-sex intimate relationships do not differ significantly, and couples report similar levels of relationship satisfaction and stability.<ref name="Peplau-2007">{{Cite journal |last1=Peplau |first1=Letitia Anne |last2=Fingerhut |first2=Adam W. |date=2007 |title=The Close Relationships of Lesbians and Gay Men |url=https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085701 |journal=Annual Review of Psychology |language=en |volume=58 |issue=1 |pages=405–424 |doi=10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085701 |pmid=16903800 |issn=0066-4308|url-access=subscription }}</ref> However, research supports a few common differences between same-sex and different-sex intimacy. In the relationship formation period, the boundaries between friendship and romantic intimacy may be more nuanced and complex among sexual minorities.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Diamond |first1=Lisa M. |last2=Dubé |first2=Eric M. |date=2002 |title=Friendship and Attachment Among Heterosexual and Sexual-Minority Youths: Does the Gender of Your Friend Matter? |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1023/A:1014026111486 |journal=Journal of Youth and Adolescence |language=en |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=155–166 |doi=10.1023/A:1014026111486 |s2cid=142987585 |issn=0047-2891|url-access=subscription }}</ref> For instance, many lesbian women report that their romantic relationships developed from an existing friendship.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Vetere |first=Victoria A. |date=1982 |title=The Role of Friendship in the Development and Maintenance of Lesbian Love Relationships |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J082v08n02_07 |journal=Journal of Homosexuality |language=en |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=51–65 |doi=10.1300/J082v08n02_07 |pmid=7166643 |issn=0091-8369|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Certain relationship maintenance practices also differ. While heterosexual relationships might rely on traditional [[gender role]]s to divide labor and decision-making power, same-sex couples are more likely to divide housework evenly.<ref name="Peplau-2007" /> Lesbian couples report lower frequency of sex compared to heterosexual couples, and gay men are more likely to engage in [[non-monogamy]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Parsons |first1=Jeffrey T. |last2=Starks |first2=Tyrel J. |last3=Gamarel |first3=Kristi E. |last4=Grov |first4=Christian |date=2012 |title=Non-monogamy and sexual relationship quality among same-sex male couples |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22906124/ |journal=Journal of Family Psychology |volume=26 |issue=5 |pages=669–677 |doi=10.1037/a0029561 |issn=1939-1293 |pmid=22906124}}</ref>

Same-sex relationships face unique challenges with regards to stigma, [[discrimination]], and [[social support]]. As couples cope with these obstacles, relationship quality can be negatively affected.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rostosky |first1=Sharon Scales |last2=Riggle |first2=Ellen DB |date=2017-02-01 |title=Same-sex relationships and minority stress |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X16300355 |journal=Current Opinion in Psychology |series=Relationships and stress |volume=13 |pages=29–38 |doi=10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.011 |pmid=28813290 |issn=2352-250X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Unsupportive policy environments such as [[Defense of Marriage Act|same-sex marriage bans]] have a negative impact on well-being,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tatum |first=Alexander K. |date=2017-04-16 |title=The Interaction of Same-Sex Marriage Access With Sexual Minority Identity on Mental Health and Subjective Wellbeing |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00918369.2016.1196991 |journal=Journal of Homosexuality |language=en |volume=64 |issue=5 |pages=638–653 |doi=10.1080/00918369.2016.1196991 |pmid=27269121 |s2cid=20843197 |issn=0091-8369|url-access=subscription }}</ref> while being [[Coming out|out]] as a couple and living in a place with legal same-sex relationship recognition have a positive impact on individual and couple well-being.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wight |first1=Richard G. |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Allen J. |last3=Lee Badgett |first3=M. V. |date=2013 |title=Same-Sex Legal Marriage and Psychological Well-Being: Findings From the California Health Interview Survey |journal=American Journal of Public Health |language=en |volume=103 |issue=2 |pages=339–346 |doi=10.2105/AJPH.2012.301113 |issn= |pmc= 3558785|pmid=23237155}}</ref>