Presentation Description: Research and clinical findings can describe the largely uncharted, complex lives and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.  However, in addition to these descriptive purposes, information about LGBT people can be used to question and even modify existing theories, concepts, and norms that describe general human behavior.  In this way, the experiences of LGBT people can potentially inform and enrich society as a whole.  Using examples from his own research and clinical experiences with gay and lesbian couples and families, the author describes how such empirical and clinical findings can be used to tentatively challenge and even expand theories describing general family relationships.

Workshop: In this subsequent workshop, Dr. LaSala will provide an in-depth discussion of sexual nonmonogamy in gay male couples based on his research  and clinical findings. This discussion will be a springboard into a broader conversation with participants about commonly accepted norms in family therapy theory and when they need to be challenged.