Description
Book SynopsisMuraco studies friendships between straight women and gay men and straight men and lesbians to consider how their relationships both challenge and reinforce conventional notions of sexuality and gender. Based on in-depth interviews, the book considers how people experience gender and sex roles differently within these intersectional relationships.
Trade Review“
Odd Couples presents a wealth of information on the initiation, development, and sustenance of intersectional friendships. . . . People in gay-straight friendships living outside of urban areas with large LGBT communities would especially appreciate this book. They need confirmation that they are not alone, and that their friendships are probably stronger than others.” - Rachel Wexelbaum,
Lambda Literary Review“Social research like this breathes life into queer theory by grounding it in the mire of human proficiency. All of these best buddies demonstrate the skills required to maintain affection across sex/gender binaries in scenarios that are largely unscripted by dominant culture. Muraco selects vignettes that illustrate some of the delicate negotiations that transpire between lesbians and their straight male mates, and straight women and their gay chums.” - Sally R. Munt,
Times Higher Education Supplement“
Odd Couples explores the untraditional ‘chosen’ families that many in the gay and lesbian community have turned to whether out of necessity in the face of rejection from biological families or out of preference for constructing a community with shared values. These explorations are especially relevant in a time when more people-inside or outside the gay and lesbian community-are claiming their own kin. . . . [I]f you're invested in a timely exploration of shifting friendship paradigms in relation to sex, gender, and family, it starts a conversation you should join.” - Nina Lary,
Bitch“Overall, Odd Couples is well organized and enjoyable to read...[Muraco’s] study offers scholars a perceptive investigation into the complicated dynamics of gender and sexuality in friendships.” - Elroi J. Windsor,
American Journal of Sociology“...by page 2 of this book, I knew that Muraco had managed to articulate what is most precious about my intersectional friendship in a way that I had not previously been able to do.” - Rebecca G. Adams,
Gender and Society"In this extremely engaging and enlightening book, Anna Muraco sheds new light on the intersection of sex and sexual orientation, the complexity of friendship, and its relevance in contemporary North American society."—
Brian de Vries, coeditor of
Gay and Lesbian Aging"Theoretically important and fascinating to read,
Odd Couples adds to the surprisingly scant social scientific literature on friendship. More significantly, it explores friendships between gay men and straight women and between lesbians and straight men in a way that no other work has. Clearly locating her study in the psychological and sociological literature on friendships, family, identity development, and gender issues, Anna Muraco adds to our understanding of gay and lesbian lives and raises provocative questions about gender and sexuality."—
Peter M. Nardi, author of
Gay Men's Friendships: Invincible Communities“
Odd Couples explores the untraditional ‘chosen’ families that many in the gay and lesbian community have turned to whether out of necessity in the face of rejection from biological families or out of preference for constructing a community with shared values. These explorations are especially relevant in a time when more people-inside or outside the gay and lesbian community-are claiming their own kin. . . . [I]f you're invested in a timely exploration of shifting friendship paradigms in relation to sex, gender, and family, it starts a conversation you should join.” -- Nina Lary * Bitch *
“
Odd Couples presents a wealth of information on the initiation, development, and sustenance of intersectional friendships. . . . People in gay-straight friendships living outside of urban areas with large LGBT communities would especially appreciate this book. They need confirmation that they are not alone, and that their friendships are probably stronger than others.” -- Rachel Wexelbaum * Lambda Literary Review *
“Social research like this breathes life into queer theory by grounding it in the mire of human proficiency. All of these best buddies demonstrate the skills required to maintain affection across sex/gender binaries in scenarios that are largely unscripted by dominant culture. Muraco selects vignettes that illustrate some of the delicate negotiations that transpire between lesbians and their straight male mates, and straight women and their gay chums.” -- Sally R. Munt * Times Higher Education *
“Overall,
Odd Couples is well organized and enjoyable to read...[Muraco’s] study offers scholars a perceptive investigation into the complicated dynamics of gender and sexuality in friendships.” -- Elroi J. Windsor * American Journal of Sociology *
“
Odd Couples is therefore a significant analysis of how people negotiate the vicissitudes of sex, gender, and sexual orientation in everyday life as well as a much-needed contribution to the sociology of friendship. It should be read by anyone interested in the complexities of contemporary intimacy.” -- Harry Blatterer * Contemporary Sociology *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
1. You've Got to Have Friends
Vignette: Frank and Rebecca 13
2. Snapshots of the Intersectional Friendship
Vignette: Ming and Ben 35
3. We Are Family
Vignette: Brenda and Dan 56
4. Gender Cops and Robbers
Vignette: Mark and Cristina 78
5. What's Sex Got to Do with It?
Vignette: Justine and Antonio 101
6. The Personal Is Political
Vignette: Leyla and Ethan 118
7. The Future of Intersectional Friendships 145
Appendix 1 155
Appendix 2 157
Appendix 3 163
Notes 167
References 173
Index 187
