Lesbian couples are different from heterosexual couples. Although lesbian couples have many of the same issues as their heterosexual counterparts, the issues and relationships with which they are struggling are often complicated by being lesbian in the dominant heterosexual culture. Lesbian couples are different from gay male couples. Although both the partners are of the same gender, homophobia, heterosexism, and sexism affect male and female couples differently. Furthermore, men and women are socialized differently, and therefore, gay male and lesbian couples often handle the stresses of living in a heterosexual culture in different gender-related ways.
Lesbian couples are different from each other.
Although heterosexism, homophobia, and sexism affect the dynamics of all lesbian relationships, it is important to recognize that the impact is mediated by age, class, and race or ethnicity as well as by the unique dynamics of each individual couple.