INTERVIEW GUIDE – MEMBERS OF SAME-SEX COUPLES

Note: Topics enclosed in brackets ([]) were discussed only with people who had participated in a public commitment ritual, and topics enclosed in arrowheads (<>) were discussed only with people who had not participated in a public commitment ritual.

Start of interview: explanation of research project, discussion of confidentiality protections and request for permission to tape interview.

BASIC SOCIAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• personal/family history (inquire about parents' marriage)

• past and current socioeconomic status (occupation of self/partner; home rent or own)

• education – highest attained

• family history

• age

• racial/ethnic identity

• religious identification

• political orientation

• sexual identity

YOUR “COMING OUT” STORY

• when and how you came to identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual/other

• subjective experience of process

• relationship history

• views on the nature of sexual identity (constructed vs. essentialist)

HISTORY OF YOUR CURRENT COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP

• its beginnings

• its evolution (development stages; levels of commitment; crises) and duration

[THE “WEDDING” STORY

• decision to construct a ritual

• material representations of event (review together)

• components of ritual: program; rings; vows; participants, etc.

• meaning of the event

• personal and social reactions to the event]

ONGOING CONTENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP [AND IMPACT OF RITUAL ON THE RELATIONSHIP]

• perceived impact of ritual on relationship

• division of labor

• management of finances

• legal arrangements to establish protections and mutual understandings

• sexual and emotional fidelity

• status of the relationship within extended families and friendship networks

• terminology for status (e.g. “married”) and partner (e.g. “spouse”)

• how to answer the question “Are you married?”

• plans for having children or other dependents

< DECISION NOT TO HAVE A PUBLIC RITUAL

• contributing factors (political, philosophical, personal, etc.)

• views on commitment rituals of other same-sex couples

• whether there might be a ritual in future, what factors would influence that decision>