Status of same-sex partnerships in Ukraine

Author(s):  
MAKSYM KASIANZUK ◽  
SVIATOSLAV SHEREMET ◽  
OLESIA TROFYMENKO

The proposed article aims to summarize available quantitative and qualitative data on same-sex partnerships in Ukraine, including data on the presence of children in such partnerships, over the last twenty years (1999–2018). The increasing number of publications on various aspects of the existence of same-sex couples in English demonstrates the relevance of the topic. The information available in Ukraine is the richest in comparison with other post-Soviet countries of the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. At the same time, LGBT families remain out of the academic community in Ukraine, and the data collected are mostly contained in the so-called "gray literature" (mainly research reports by public organizations), and are not introduced into scientific circulation. It is shown that, depending on the composition of the sample and the definition of same-sex partnership used by the researchers, this percentage most often falls within the range of 16–28% of surveyed homosexual and bisexual men residing in the capital and regional centers of Ukraine. Quantitative information on women partnerships is extremely limited (one survey of a small sample), and there is no quantitative data for the couples, where one or both partners are transgenders. Quantitative information on children in same-sex partnerships is also very limited, and the data in the literature (with all the methodological disadvantages indicated) ranges from 14% to 29% of LGB, which have children, but it is unknown whether these children were raised in same-sex couples. With regard to quality information, the situation is different — a little bit more is known about the status of women and partly transgender partnerships (including the issue of children in such families) than about male couples. Separate data demonstrates a significant similarity in the same-sex partnership structure to the typical heterosexual egalitarian family model (two partners and their children), taking into account more egalitarian marriage roles, lack of formal status, and associated socio-economic risks. Further research (including national level) should be based on a common understanding of what constitutes “same-sex partnership”, what are the characteristics of same-sex partnership (civil, family), what characteristics of civil partnership turn it into a“family”, etc.

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-243
Author(s):  
Lyn Craig ◽  
Brendan Churchill

This paper draws on data from Work and Care During COVID-19, an online survey of Australians during pandemic lockdown in May 2020 (n = 2,722). It focuses on how subsamples of lesbian, gay, and bisexual mothers and fathers in couples (n = 280) and single mothers (n = 480) subjectively experienced unpaid work and care during lockdown compared with heterosexual mothers and fathers in couples, and with partnered mothers, respectively. During the pandemic, nonheterosexual fathers’ subjective reports were less negative than those of their heterosexual counterparts, but differences between heterosexual and lesbian/bisexual mothers were more mixed. Unlike their partnered counterparts, more single mothers reported feeling satisfied than before with their balance of paid and unpaid work and how they spent their time overall during the pandemic, perhaps because they avoided partnership conflicts and particularly benefited from relaxed commuting and child care deadlines.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 617-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Bartholomew ◽  
Katherine V. Regan ◽  
Monica A. White ◽  
Doug Oram

Previous studies of abuse in male same-sex relationships have been limited by convenience samples and/or by incomplete assessments of partner abuse. We examined patterns of same-sex partner abuse in a random sample of 284 gay and bisexual men. Respondents reported on perpetration and receipt of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse over multiple time frames, as well as injuries resulting from abuse. Almost all respondents reported psychological abuse, more than one-third reported physical abuse, and 10% reported having engaged in unwanted sexual activity because of partner force or threats of force. More than half of recipients of partner violence reported sustaining injury. We found strong associations between different forms of abuse, and between severity of abuse receipt and perpetration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I P Y Lo

Abstract Study question How does the cultural importance attached to biological family ties shape Chinese lesbians’ decision-making processes regarding whether and how to have children? Summary answer The cultural significance of biological ties shapes Chinese lesbians’ fertility decisions, including those regarding conception methods, who will get pregnant, and whose sperm to use. What is known already Previous research has shown that normative expectations towards opposite-sex marriage and biological parenthood impose significant psychological burden on lesbians in China, where same-sex couples are not entitled to the rights to partnership/marriage, assisted reproductive technology (ART), and parenthood. Despite the legal barriers, online discussions on same-sex parenthood and commercial consultation services targeted at same-sex couples who want to travel overseas to use ART have emerged in recent years. While more lesbians have become parents of donor conceived children in Western developed countries, little is known about Chinese lesbians’ reproductive experiences in the context of increasing reproductive transactions that transgress borders. Study design, size, duration In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 Chinese lesbians between July 2017 and June 2018 in Beijing, China. To better understand the context and social and clinical implications of global ART services for Chinese society, I also carried out participant observation by attending informal gatherings organised by the local lesbian community and public events targeted at (same-sex) individuals and couples who want to travel overseas to use ART and producing fieldnotes after the events. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants were aged between 25 to 45. The majority were in their thirties. Each interview took around 2 hours and was audio-recorded and transcribed. The interview guide covered questions about their family beliefs, views on and/or experiences of donor conception, and perceived and actual difficulties in pursuing motherhood. With the assistance of NVivo (a qualitative data analysis software), I carried out thematic analysis of the interviews and fieldnotes to identify common patterns across the dataset. Main results and the role of chance Participants shared a belief that being biologically connected with their (prospective) children was, to varying extents, important to their families. They were at different stages of fertility decision-making, ranging from achieved motherhood (8 participants), actively planning to pursue motherhood (9), hesitation in taking action (11), and a lack of interest in or hope of becoming a mother (7). Almost all participants expressed that they did not prefer adoption and that they were reluctant to involve known sperm donors, who were considered a threat to their parental status. Rather, they were inclined to seek ART overseas in order to create their desired biological ties in a clinical setting. Issues including donor screening, desire for family resemblances, the status of biological and social mothers, and plans to purchase sperms from the same donor to conceive “siblings” were discussed in the interviews. It is evident that when deciding on whether to have a child and how to involve any third parties, participants tended to embrace the relational self and carefully balance individuals desires with familial and social expectations. The felt need to legitimise their relationships with donor conceived children imposes psychological burden on lesbian intended parents and discourages many from pursuing motherhood. Limitations, reasons for caution The findings of this qualitative study are not intended to be generalised to the whole lesbian population in China. Given the hidden nature of this population, my research, despite its small sample size, represents a significant step forward and calls for more quantitative and qualitative studies on lesbians’ fertility health. Wider implications of the findings: This study shows that lesbians’ journeys to donor conception require not only medical and legal support but also psychosocial care that attends to one’s perceived importance of biological ties and family beliefs. It sensitises healthcare professionals to the specific fertility-related psychosocial needs and concerns among lesbians in a family-centred context. Trial registration number Not applicable


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria CY Hukubun

<p>Bisexuals are individuals who Involved and enjoyed sexual activities with same sex and different sex. Bisexual men having intercourse by oral, anal and vaginal. According to the data from the Center for Reproductive Health in Jayapura in 2013, there was one case cervicitis on bisexual men which is known from 95 cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). This research study aimed to describe bisexual men's sexual experiences. A qualitative design method was used with phenomenology approach; informants Involved in this research were 5 people. The selections of informants were using snowball sampling method. Researchers used members to check and thick description to the invalidity of the data. Fifth informants have a sense of attraction to opposite sex couples while they were in junior and high school. Informants interested in the same sex when in junior high school, and college. In addition, one of the informants attracted to the same sex when he became adult and had a work. Four informants did not consistently use condoms. There are 10 to 30 of same-sex couples that performed sex relation for the first time. There were about 10 people who did not get married and have sexual partners of the opposite sex until today based on the informant. The four informants were not consistently used condoms and there was one informant who did not use condom</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan Kneale ◽  
Patrick Sholl ◽  
Chris Sherwood ◽  
Jessica Faulkner

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how minority stress and the experience of societal level hostility towards lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people and their relationships may have impacted upon their relationships and relationship histories. Design/methodology/approach – This paper introduced the minority stress framework and examines the relationship histories of a small cohort aged 50 at the last sweep of data collection. Findings – The minority stress framework states that societal level hostility will lead to unequal treatment and psychological distress among minority groups, which could impact on their relationships histories. In these data, those people we identify as being LGB were significantly more likely to have had a higher number of cohabiting partnerships, were less likely to have had longer-term cohabiting relationships, and were less likely to be in a relationship at age 50. This is despite LGB people placing an equal importance on partnership and marriage. These results are accompanied by caveats, but the authors conclude that if minority stress does impact upon relationships, it is upon the stability and length of relationships. Practical implications – Compared to older LGB couples, opposite sex couples, are more likely to have been in receipt of peer and especially familial support for their relationship, particularly around times of relationship crisis. Additionally, for those same sex couples that did approach professional sources of support, such as couple counselling, heteronormative and even hostile attitudes from counselling providers may have meant that experienced and informed support was not available when needed. The findings therefore pose a challenge to service providers to ensure that relationship support and allied services are available and adapted to meet the needs of older LGB people, whose previous contacts with these service providers may have been substantially less than positive, and whose need for relationship support may be greater. Originality/value – The needs of older LGB people and their relationships are often overlooked. The use of a small sample of cohort data to examine these issues provides new insight into the way in which older LGB people may age differently to non-LGB people.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Te Huang ◽  
Bobo Hi-Po Lau ◽  
Marty W. Forth ◽  
Stuart Gietel-Basten

Abstract Background: Despite the globally rising recognition of same-sex relationships, sexual minority men continue to report lower childbearing desire and intention compared to their heterosexual counterparts, even though both groups tend to consider parenting as valuable. This study capitalized on the prospective process of legalization of same-sex marriage (SSM) in Taiwan to capture changes in gay and bisexual men’s desire and attitudes towards parenthood as a function of the legalization of SSM. Methods: 863 respondents (Mean age = 27.9 years ±5.8) completed an online survey shortly before and 1½ years after the legalization of SSM. They reported their childbearing desire, marital status, and attitudes towards childbearing and marriage. Results: Contrary to our expectation of an increase in childbearing desire due to enhanced legal recognition of same-sex relationships, our study found that fewer participants in the follow-up survey expressed a childbearing desire (59.0% vs 74.2%), and the perceived importance of childbearing dropped mildly (3.48 to 3.26, Cohen’s d=0.269). Those who expressed a consistent childbearing desire attached greater importance to SSM and regarded SSM as a source of a sense of security and recognition by friends/family. The perceived importance of SSM was mildly positively related to the perceived importance of childbearing. Conclusion: Although the decrease in childbearing desire and its perceived importance may be attributable to a lack of access to family building options (e.g., surrogacy and adoption) and the COVID-19 pandemic, our findings illustrate that parenthood can be a logical next-step for Taiwanese male same-sex couples and call for the development of affordable family building options for these men.


Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Wendy Heywood ◽  
...  

Background The aim of this study is to describe homosexual experience and characteristics of recent homosexual encounters among Australian adults and identify changes between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years and the participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents indicated the number of same-sex partners they had had in their lifetime and in the last 12 months. Those who reported any homosexual experience were asked the age at which this first occurred and about characteristics of the first and most recent homosexual encounter. Results: Reporting ever having same-sex experience was more common in women (13.5%) than in men (6.5%, P < 0.001). Among these people, men reported more lifetime and recent same-sex partners than women (P < 0.001). Same-sex experience was associated with some but not all indices of higher socioeconomic status. In men, it was associated with living in a major city (P = 0.02) and in women, it was associated with younger (<30 years) age and with very low income (P < 0.001). Men were younger than women at their first homosexual encounter (P = 0.005). Women were more likely than men to have their first same-sex encounter with a regular partner. For women but not men, there was a significant increase in the proportion reporting same-sex experience since 2001–02. Conclusion: Same-sex experience is not uncommon and is increasing in prevalence in young Australian women. The high number of same-sex partners among homosexual and bisexual men places them at greater risk of sexually transmissible infection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 836-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Dale

To date, most charitable giving research assumes that all households are heterosexual and that couples make giving decisions from joint financial resources. This study examines household financial management and charitable decision making among a purposeful sample of 19 gay and lesbian couples. Semistructured joint interviews were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory techniques. The study finds that same-sex couples practice financial management systems that preserve independence (independent and partial-pooling systems), in contrast to different-sex couples, who favor joint management. These systems yield more accounts from which charitable giving can occur. Same-sex couples’ giving does not always follow the household’s financial management structure, and many couples give both jointly and separately. Finally, some same-sex couples use their giving as a way to give lesbian, gay, and bisexual people visibility and recognition as supporters of mainstream (non-LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender]) organizations. Future research should consider both sexual orientation and financial management practices in understanding charitable behavior.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M. Pollitt ◽  
Brandon A. Robinson ◽  
Debra Umberson

Research on gender inequality within different-sex marriages shows that women do more unpaid labor than men, and that the perception of inequality influences perceptions of marital quality. Yet research on same-sex couples suggests the importance of considering how gender is relational. Past studies show that same-sex partners share unpaid labor more equally and perceive greater equity than do different-sex partners, and that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are less gender conforming than heterosexuals. However, studies have not considered how gender conformity might shape inequalities and marital quality within same- and different-sex unions. In this study, we analyze dyadic data from both spouses in same- and different-sex marriages to explore how sex of spouse and gender conformity influence perceptions of shared power within the relationship, which, in turn, influences marital quality. Results show that greater gender conformity is related to stronger perceptions of shared power in different-sex and male same-sex couples but not in female same-sex couples. Perceptions of shared power are positively associated with marital quality in all union types. Our findings suggest that maintaining hegemonic masculinity and power inequalities may be salient to marriages with men. In female same-sex couples, gender and its relation to power inequalities may carry less meaning.


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