Queer Relationships, No Straight Lines

Relationships

How Couples Speak to Others, and Why It Matters

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on March 10, 2025

Navigating conversations as a couple brings unique opportunities and challenges. Learn about how speaking style impacts the way interruptions are perceived.

Navigating conversations as a couple brings unique opportunities and challenges. Learn about how speaking style impacts the way interruptions are perceived.

Sexual Orientation

Better Health and Faith in the LGBTQ+ Community

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on March 3, 2025

Two decades of research indicates that sexual and gender minority people who believe in their community’s capacity to cope with and solve common problems are healthier.

Two decades of research indicates that sexual and gender minority people who believe in their community’s capacity to cope with and solve common problems are healthier.

Sex

Drug Use and HIV Infection

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on February 10, 2025

HIV impacts many in the LGBTQ+ community, and those who use drugs are at increased risk. This post examines how sex contributes to this association, even for those in relationships.

HIV impacts many in the LGBTQ+ community, and those who use drugs are at increased risk. This post examines how sex contributes to this association, even for those in relationships.

Relationships

When a Partner Just Won't Let You Finish

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on February 4, 2025

It's conversational dominance—and it's more than just talking a lot.

It's conversational dominance—and it's more than just talking a lot.

Relationships

Drug Use and Relationships

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on January 15, 2025

Sexual agreements and behavioral similarity complicate the association between relationship status and drug use, for at least some LGBTQ+ people.

Sexual agreements and behavioral similarity complicate the association between relationship status and drug use, for at least some LGBTQ+ people.

Sex

Commitment and the Sexual Health of Couples

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on December 14, 2024

Sexual health and relationship quality have an ironic association. When decisions about HIV testing and prevention are used to signal commitment, this asset can become a liability.

Sexual health and relationship quality have an ironic association. When decisions about HIV testing and prevention are used to signal commitment, this asset can become a liability.

Relationships

Relationship Stigma: "Maybe Don’t Bring Your 'Friend'"

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on October 20, 2024

This post examines research on unique forms of stigma directed at the primary, sexual, and romantic relationships of LGBTQ+ people.

This post examines research on unique forms of stigma directed at the primary, sexual, and romantic relationships of LGBTQ+ people.

Sex

Why Won’t You Talk (About Sex)?

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on August 11, 2024

What happens when attempts to talk about sex are met with the silent treatment?

What happens when attempts to talk about sex are met with the silent treatment?

Relationships

Why Can’t We Talk (About Sex)?

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on July 29, 2024

It is easy to suggest that couples talk about sex, but what happens when someone gets anxious or overwhelmed and shuts down?

It is easy to suggest that couples talk about sex, but what happens when someone gets anxious or overwhelmed and shuts down?

Sex

Sexual Agreements—Do We Need to Talk About This?

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on June 21, 2024

Even in great relationships, partners might misunderstand their sexual agreements. Here, we look at why that might happen and provide tips for couples having that talk about sex.

Even in great relationships, partners might misunderstand their sexual agreements. Here, we look at why that might happen and provide tips for couples having that talk about sex.

Sex

Sexual Agreements: The Backstory

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on June 16, 2024

Sexual agreements—couples' rules or understandings about sex with outside partners—have gotten a lot of attention recently. Here's what we are learning.

Sexual agreements—couples' rules or understandings about sex with outside partners—have gotten a lot of attention recently. Here's what we are learning.

Relationships

LGBTQ+ Relationships and Mental Health

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

Being partnered might predict better mental health, but that is only part of the story. Quality also matters.

Being partnered might predict better mental health, but that is only part of the story. Quality also matters.

Sexual Orientation

When Public Policy Meets LGBTQ+ Relationships

Tyrel J. Starks Ph.D. on February 24, 2024

State legislation about LGBTQ+ rights makes headlines. Is it related to the quality of life for state residents? A recent study of sexual minority men asked just that.

State legislation about LGBTQ+ rights makes headlines. Is it related to the quality of life for state residents? A recent study of sexual minority men asked just that.