ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME: A PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS ON GAY COUPLES AND COUPLING

Abstract

The AIDS epidemic brings with it a great many changes in attitude about life and lifestyles. Among gay men this seems to mean an increased consideration about coupling and the nature of coupled relationships, along with parallel struggles around the issues of sex and intimacy. In addition, the disease has forced large numbers of people to deal with death long before the normal time. This paper discusses the impact of AIDS on the early stages of gay coupling as well as the final stage of death.