Francis Duffy begins this volume by defining the culturally-mediated constructs of love and desire, particularly as they are framed by adult relations. Cynthia Vejar goes on to review the history of marital norms and patterns, including the struggles faced by the homosexual community in their attempts to legally marry. Maureen McMahon turns to the topics of cohabitation and domestic partnership and notes that “many [spousal rights], including those offered to cohabitating heterosexuals, are weak in comparison to those offered to married couples.” McMahon provides some insight into the complicated matter of legally recognized partnerships and the limits afforded to such rights. The gay rights movement after the 1950s and 1960s has, perhaps, challenged and changed most dramatically the societal views on marriage relations and sexuality among adults. Carolyn Sprague deciphers how this movement has defined these issues and influenced the related political battles over greater representation.