In this TedX talk, Panti Bliss discusses same-sex PDAs, homophobia, and the tireless stress put on same-sex couples simply attempting to navigate the world like any other couple, but constantly having to be vigilant about their surroundings.
Read MoreAre Close Relationships Researchers Getting Better at Using Inclusive Research Methods?
I’ve written about inclusive research practices before, and have placed an emphasis on the importance of including gender and sexual minorities in relationships research. Although psychological research in general has come a long way in being more inclusive with respect to studying topics of relevance to LGBTQ populations, close relationships research still seems to be a bit slow on the uptake. But, to be fair, it can be sometimes difficult to really judge what is currently going on in a field if one only relies on the currently published articles available in scientific journals. After all, not all research gets published, and even when it does get published, it is often years after the initial study was designed. Consequently, a survey of the most recently published close relationships articles might only provide a ‘snapshot’ of the research practices that were prevalent between 2010 and 2013 (or even earlier). Perhaps a better opportunity to get a more current snapshot of the field’s practices is by examining poster presentations at a large conference, such as the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Annual Meeting. The advantage of examining poster presentations is that they tend to be reporting more recently conducted research and they provide a sampling of studies that have already been published, those in the process of being published, and those that will never be published (either because they get rejected or because publication just isn’t pursued).
Read MoreAre Public Displays of Affection Good for Your Health?
To hold or not to hold…hands, that is. When you’re in a relationship, are you a hand-holder, or do you prefer to keep your hands to yourself? Perhaps you find your hand gets too sweaty when in the embrace of another, or maybe you only hold hands seasonally when doing so will provide you with an extra bit of needed warmth in the deep freeze of January.
Read MoreSocial Support For Relationships Part 3
Often when we meet someone new and fall madly and deeply in love, we cannot wait to introduce the person to our friends and family. Obviously if we think they are the best thing since sliced bread, everyone else is going to love them just as much – right? Not always.
Read MoreSocial Support for Relationships Part 2
In my last post on social support for relationships, we learned that couples who receive social approval of their relationships from their friends and family are more likely to report greater relationship satisfaction and more enduring relationships. One of the key points researchers have made in this area is that it is the perception of support/approval that matters most.
Read MoreI Wanna Hold Your Hand, But What If It Isn't Safe?
This past year has seen an increase in hate crimes targeted at the LGBTQ community, and especially same-sex couples holding hands or engaging in other forms of public displays of affection, or PDAs. Nick Porto and Kevin Atikns, a gay couple living in New York city, were knocked to the ground and violently attacked in broad daylight while walking down the street holding hands.
Read MoreSocial Support for Relationships Part 1
One of the things I love about being a relationships researcher is that I can sit down to watch a Hollywood flick and consider it productive time because it gives me so many great research ideas.
Read MoreWhere Ideas Come From
A few years ago I was on vacation in Mexico at an all-inclusive resort. For the most part it was your typical all-inclusive winter getaway that many of us Canadians begin to crave after months of cold darkness! There were lots of pools, palm trees, white sandy beaches, tequila dispensers in each room, and the much needed and craved SUN.
Read MoreMade In America: Russia's Proposal to Remove Children from Same-Sex Parented Households
According to a Russian journalist and LGBTQ activist, that’s exactly what they need to do. Earlier this year Russia made adoption, foreign and domestic, by same-sex parents illegal and also passed what they call the “anti-propaganda” law, which all but criminalize same-sex sexuality.
Read MoreThe Challenge of Valentine's Day
Unlike some people, I’m a big fan of Valentine’s Day. Sure, it’s been commercialized to the point that Valentine’s day candy appears on the store shelves the day after Christmas, and yes, you shouldn’t need to wait for one particular day of the year to express your feelings for the person (or people) you love, and yes, perhaps it’s a day that appears to rub coupledom in the face of all the singletons, but I still love it anyway.
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