Time's annual Mind and Body Issue asks, "Are Gay Relationships Different?"

I got my issue of Time magazine today (because I'm gradually becoming my father) and was curious upon seeing that the issue is dedicated to the "science of romance" whether same-sex relationships would be addressed. Initially disappointed by the various articles' focus on marriage, childbearing and the like and the rather disturbing exclusion of any mention of homosexual relationships of any kind, I was pleasantly surprised to find a standalone piece dedicated to gay relationships entitled, "Are Gay Relationships Different?"

The article, by gay journalist John Cloud, takes a decidedly more personal approach to the subject matter than the other pieces in its discussion of whether gay relationships are more stable (or more bound for disaster) than straight pairings. Amidst the studies quoted and theories raised, Cloud discusses his own failed 7-year relationship, which ended in 2006.

The article itself is rather remarkable, as I can't remember ever seeing such a personal, well-written and poignant discussion of gay relationships in a mainstream magazine. Cloud is no Pollyanna about his own romantic life or those of gays and lesbians in general, and posits that while recent studies show that straight folks have a lot to learn from gay couples, we could also benefit from taking notes from our hetero friends.

And of course he's right. The piece hit especially hard for me, as Andy and I are rapidly nearing the "7-Year Itch" point that Cloud discusses at length in the piece, and I of course want my own relationship to succeed past that damnable benchmark. But the strength of the piece is that anyone, including the older and possibly more conservative readers of Time, can benefit from this very human, very reasonable, and very heartfelt discussion of what makes gay relationships unique, challenging, and beautiful.

Of course, it would be nice to see gay relationships included in the broad discussion of all human love and romance, as we are still human, last time I checked. But perhaps being lumped into the other, drier pieces might have not offered the same window into what many real gay couples face. I credit Time for including the piece and Cloud for rising to the challenge with such candor and grace.

The article is available online, and is definitely worth the read. And please discuss!