Providing culturally competent services to same-sex couples requires an understanding of the social context in which these relationships are formed and maintained. Using minority stress theory (I. H. Meyer, 2003) as an interpretive framework, the authors conducted a dyadic-level qualitative analysis of 40 (20 female; 20 male) couples' conversations about their committed partnerships. Findings indicate that couples experience minority stress as they interact with their family members, coworkers, and communities. In response to stressors, couples use coping strategies that include reframing negative experiences, concealing their relationship, creating social support, and affirming self and partnership. Recommendations for practitioners based on these findings include assessing minority stress, facilitating coping, and taking a critical stance toward policies that perpetuate social stigma and chronic stress.

Heterosexually identified individuals can serve a crucial role as allies in eliminating sexual prejudice and the resulting policies that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. However, few studies have systematically examined the development of heterosexual allies. Consensual qualitative research methods (Hill et al., The Counseling Psychologist, 25, 517-572, 1997) were used to analyze individual interviews conducted with a community sample of 12 heterosexually identified participants who demonstrated ally commitment through some form of LGBT activism. Findings revealed six domains that best described the development of these heterosexual allies. Participants described early role models, an evolving recognition and understanding of privilege and oppression, and conflict between an awareness of sexual prejudice and deeply held values of justice and equality. Participants also described barriers to LGBT activism and the rewards of ally work. The authors discuss implications for heterosexual ally development and, ultimately, for social justice and equality.Heterosexual privilege (Rich 1980) and discrimination against sexual minorities characterize the dominant culture and the social policies of the United States. In many states and local jurisdictions, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals lack the basic protections of nondiscrimination policies.LGBT youth lack safe and supportive educational environments in which to develop. Many LGBT youth and adults are refused acknowledgment and inclusion in the majority of their religious institutions. Effective military service is thwarted by don't-ask-don't-tell policies. The majority of states have passed referenda that exclude same-sex relationships from access to civil marriage and the resulting protections that legal marriage would provide for their relationships and their children. Despite strong and consistent evidence that parental sexual orientation is unrelated to child well-being, law and policy continue to prohibit same-sex couples from legal adoption and providing foster care. 1 Efforts to end sexual stigma and the resulting discriminatory legal and social policies leveled at LGBT people and their relationships will require the development of strong and committed heterosexual allies. Washington and Evans (1991) have defined an ally as "a person who is a 1 For a detailed discussion of the current policy landscape affecting LGBT individuals, see

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