"Same-sex marriage." . . "Gay couples United States." . . "Shafer, Jamie Lynn." . . . . . . . . . "Still in love: long term same sex unions" . . . . . . "Relationships are about the people in them. Choosing a partner that provides the right balance can alter the value of any relationship. After briefly surveying the history of marriage in the United States, this thesis will examine five long-term same-sex couples illustrating how same-sex unions are quite similar to opposite sex unions. Each couple faces challenges in the home, in the work place, and in their personal lives; each weathers the same struggles that opposite sex couples encounter. The differences between heterosexual and homosexual unions are negligible, and mandate a redefinition of marriage in society." . . "Gay couples." . . . . "Gay rights United States." . . "Same-sex marriage United States." . . "Gay rights." . . "United States." . . "Artists' books." . .