Maintaining emotional cohesion between LGBTQ+ partners can be challenging even under normal circumstances due to differences in personality types, communication styles, and cultural backgrounds.
For military couples who are separated by deployment, it is especially important that they find ways to stay connected and support each other emotionally. Deployments can take a significant toll on both individuals involved and may cause feelings of anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression. These feelings can impact their ability to communicate effectively and build trust in their relationship. To mitigate these effects, many LGBTQ+ couples have developed adaptive strategies that allow them to maintain emotional cohesion during deployments. These strategies involve various activities such as:
1. Communicating regularly - Military service members should prioritize regular communication with their partners, whether via email, phone calls, text messages, video chats, or letters. This helps to alleviate some of the physical distance between them and provides a sense of closeness despite being apart. Many LGBTQ+ couples set up daily routines around communicating with each other, creating a structure that allows them to plan and anticipate when they will next hear from their partner.
2. Sharing intimate details - Couples can also use technology to share intimate details about their lives while away from one another.
Sending photos or videos of themselves doing everyday activities or sharing intimate moments together can help the other person feel more connected and engaged in the relationship.
3. Using sex toys - Sexuality plays an important role in any healthy relationship and should not be neglected during deployment. Some couples choose to send sexual toys back and forth, allowing them to engage in virtual sex sessions that bring them closer together. Others create rituals surrounding these toys, such as having specific rules for using them or incorporating them into date nights.
4. Establishing ground rules - LGBTQ+ military personnel may need to discuss certain aspects of their relationship, such as sexual preferences or gender identities, in order to ensure that both individuals are comfortable with the arrangement. By establishing clear boundaries and expectations early on, couples can avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings later on.
5. Seeking professional support - In addition to utilizing adaptive strategies at home, it is essential for couples to seek out professional help if needed. This could include individual counseling, marriage therapy, or family therapy, depending on the situation. A trained mental health professional can provide valuable insight and resources to help maintain emotional cohesion between partners.
6. Reconnecting after deployment - Reuniting after a long separation can be challenging, but some LGBTQ+ couples have found ways to make this process smoother by planning special events or trips together. These experiences can be used as a way to rekindle the romance and build intimacy again.
The key to successfully maintaining emotional cohesion during deployments is communication and understanding. By being open and honest about what each person needs from the other, LGBTQ+ couples can develop adaptive strategies that work best for them. With time and effort, they can keep their relationship strong even when apart and continue to grow stronger as a couple.
How do LGBT couples develop adaptive strategies to maintain emotional cohesion during deployments?
LGBT couples can develop adaptive strategies to maintain emotional cohesion during deployments by focusing on building a strong foundation of trust and communication before deployment. They can also utilize technology such as video calls, text messaging, and social media to stay connected with each other while apart.