Age gap in gay relationships
Recent () Marriages to Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples: Marital History and Age at Marriage
Six years ago, the US Supreme Court ruled that marriages to same-sex couples were legal in all states, prompting the US Census Bureau to edit their household rosters to directly enumerate same-sex and different-sex married and cohabiting couples. Using facts from the ACS 1-year PUMS files from (the first time the revised roster was implemented), we present the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) estimates of individuals entering into a same-sex marriage. We compare same-sex newlyweds to different-sex newlyweds based on their marital history, average age at most recent marriage, and couple’s age gap (including 95% confidence intervals). First marriage refers to a first marriage for both members of the couple and remarriage refers to a remarriage for at least one member of the couple. Analyses are limited to householders and spouses of householders. Note, while the terms “sex” and “gender” are not interchangeable, because the ACS survey questionnaire uses the term “sex,” we have
Gay Relationship Advice: Age Gaps in Gay Relationships
Many of my LGBTQ counseling clients ask me why they are only attracted to gay men younger than themselves. If you are happy dating gay men in their twenties, then this question is not important. Its like asking Why do I like blondes over brunettes? My advice is to grant yourself enjoy dating whomever interests you (as drawn-out as they are over the age of 18).
Age gap relationships are more common than you may realize. In western countries:
- 1 out of every twelve male/female couples has an age gap of 10 years or more
- that number increase to 25% in male/male couples
- and 15% of female/female relationships
That same investigation indicated that age gap partners are more satisfied and more committed to each other than partners of similar age–though there is some research that points to a correlation with higher rates of divorce. Research also shows that couples with an age gap of less than ten years are happier than those with an age gap greater than ten years. You can find more details on these stats on this episode of the pod
Gay Relationship Advice: Navigating Age-Gap Relationships
I’ve been an LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist for nearly ten years, and quite often, the topic of age differences comes up with my single queer-identified male clients and quite often is present in the same-sex couples or families I work with. Here are some of my thoughts and ideas in the form of some gay relationship directions.
Age differences in homosexual men in a amorous relationship is a very frequent phenomenon but is still one that often raises questions or concerns in my clients as a topic and sometimes requires some navigation in homosexual couples therapydue to the unique relationship dynamics involved.
Find our more about what therapy for gay men is like with me here.
If you're curious about your relationship, I just created anLGBTQ+ Relationship Question to help queer couples identify blindspots and expansion points and to commemorate strengths. It's totally free and I'll email you a free 15 page PDF breakdown of your results.
One of the things this quiz looks at is 'balance' which is al
“Ask Kai: Advice for the Apocalypse” is a column by Kai Cheng Thom to help you survive and thrive in a challenging world. Have a ask for Kai? Email askkai@
Dear Kai,
Were a gay male couple, aged 23 and 45 years senior respectively—call us Chicken (the younger guy) and Hawk (the older guy). We met on Grindr a couple years ago.
Hawk: I make a very compact salary as a marketing director, and I’m supporting Chicken financially as he goes through university. We also live together in my condo. I deeply, truly love Chicken, and I yearn nothing but the best for him—I know our age difference is fairly wide, but I feel that we are soulmates. I would never want to take advantage of him, and I’ve let Chicken know that he should never feel that he “owes” me anything just because of our financial situation. I have never been happier in my life, but some of my friends are reacting quite badly to our relationship—they say our age difference makes them uncomfortable and that I’m cradle-robbing, so to speak. One friend has