Inplaceofthenormativemodernnuclearfamilypattern，familyandsexualdiversityisnowthenormintheU.S.andmostotheradvancedindustrial（orpost-industrial）societies.Ihavecalledthisthepostmodernfamilycondition（Stacey1990）.Nosinglefamilystructureenjoysstatisticaldominanceorculturalsecurity.Themeaningandpracticesofgender，family，andsexualitycannolongerbetakenforgrantedorbepresumedtobenatural.Insteadofobligatoryparticipationinheterosexuality，procreation，orAthefamily，“weareobligedtoAchoose”if，how，andwithwhomwewillcouple，parent，andformintimatebonds.Asthemeaningandpurposeofsexualityexpandedsubstantiallybeyondtheboundsofprocreativefamilylife，minoritysexualdesiresandpracticesbecameincreasinglyvisible，self-aware，andsociallyorganized.Mostsignificantly，growingnumbersofpeoplewithhomoeroticdesiresemergedfromthecloset，begantoidentifythemselvesasgayorlesbian，andtoseekdignity，respect，andfullmembershipandrightsintheirsocieties.
FromFamilyExilestoFamilyPioneers
FewfeaturesoftherecenthistoryoffamilyandsexualityintheWestaremorestrikingorsurprisingthantherapidascendanceofanincreasinglyglobalcampaignforsame-sexmarriageandparentrights.Justashorttimeagomostgaysandlesbiansfeltcompelledtofleetheirfamiliesandtoconstructtheirlives，relationships，andcommunitiesinoppositiontolegalfamilyforms.Manypresumedthattheymustforfeitaccesstothesedomainsiftheyidentifiedthemselvesaslesbianorgay.Othersadoptedacriticalstancetowardtheinstitutionsofmarriageandparenthoodandtotheveryconceptoffamily.However，withinaverybriefhistoricalperiod，vastnumbersoflesbiansandgaymenshiftedtheirprioritiesfromescapingrepressiontheyhadexperiencedintheirnatalfamiliestoembracingthegoalofforming“Afamilieswechoose”（Weston1991）.