Paulo and Ivan are romantically attracted to each other. Both males, they are racially and

culturally quite different from one another.

Based on what you've learned about relationships
that challenge social norms, what can you tell them they can expect to experience as they go
forward with their relationship?
What will be an ideal response?

This question obviously mixes the intercultural, interracial, and nonheterosexual issues
covered in this chapter. The answer should address the issues related to each.
* Partners in intercultural relationships face the challenge of communicating and interacting
effectively. They may also confront bias against their very relationship. One or both of them may
find themselves in the outside group of the friends and family of the other and have to adapt their
behavior when they are with their partner's in-group. On the other hand, they need to be careful
not to abandon their own cultural heritage to adapt to the other's group.
* They need to develop communication strategies for coping with negative social reactions to
their relationship.
* The gay aspect of their relationship may cause them to face strong social hostility which may
find them seeking out social networks among other gays. Generally, though, as a gay couple,
they will engage in the same kinds of relational maintenance activities as heterosexual couples.