PSY 5775 - The History and Psychology of the "Gay" Family in America: Origins, Context, & Implications

This class is an interdisciplinary exploration of gay families (i.e., the families of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals) in America. Drawing on texts from the fields of History and Psychology we will analyze the dynamics of the gay family in light of a long record of family diversity in America. We will examine the most recent psychological literature on family life including research into same-sex couples, marriage, and parenting. Finally, we will address the impact that the emergence of gay families has had on American understandings of categories such as gender, race, and class, as well as of the structure, purpose and ideology of family.