Between Gay and Straight
Understanding Friendship Across Sexual Orientation

This is a study of a gay community, a narrative of personal development and change and an exploration of the use of friendship in conducting research. The study explores sexuality, marriage, lifestyles, and the meanings of friendship.

This is a study of a gay community, a narrative of personal development and change and an exploration of the use of friendship in conducting research. It started as a class project - a young, married, small-town white woman interviewing a gay acquaintance and his circle of friends. This developed into a three year study on the complexities of gay-straight friendships. The study explores sexuality, marriage, lifestyles, and the meanings of friendship, and through it the author develops an understanding of the differences between the gay and straight community, the difficulties of bonding across groups and the rewards of seeking and being the "other" in contemporary society.