本研究之目的為探討男同志伴侶開放式關係的內涵，了解男同志伴侶進入開放式關係的原因，並且分析開放式關係的形式架構與所衍生的衝突，尋找男同志伴侶在開放式關係之中對外互動的特色，最後討論男同志伴侶維繫開放式關係的力量。
本研究以三對交往超過一年並且維持開放式關係的男同志伴侶為對象，透過訪談了解他們在開放式關係之中的生活經驗，由伴侶自己敘說兩人的愛情故事。訪談內容以敘事方法進行分析，形成詮釋性的文本。
本研究將男同志伴侶的開放式關係分為起始、開放與延續三個階段，發現在伴侶關係的起始階段，男同志伴侶的開放式關係具有性愛分離的特色，然而這些伴侶不一定認同先性後愛的觀念。在伴侶關係的開放階段，男同志伴侶的開放式關係分為以愛的自由或是性的自主為取向的不同類型。男同志伴侶經由溝通對於伴侶關係的開放方式達成共識，並且創造規範約束彼此在開放式關係之中的行為表現。規範的破壞與伴侶之間的比較心態是在開放式關係之中常見的衝突。開放式關係的男同志伴侶以尋找第三人加入性愛的方式追求刺激，但是他們傾向避免與關係外的對象發生感情。在伴侶關係的延續階段，男同志伴侶認為開放式關係為愛情帶來新鮮感，並且相信他們在感情方面也能夠達到專一。

The purpose of this study was to discover gay couple’s open relationship. By interviewing 3 gay couples regarding open relationship, this study inquired the reasons of opening relationship, the formation and rules of their relationship, the conflicts in opening relationship, their interactions with outsiders, and the ways they maintained their relationship. Several findings were found. Gay couples built up their open relationships by negotiating and setting rules. Conflicts such as breaking rules and jealousy were common in open relationship. Gay couples in open relationship separated their sex from love, and they engaged in threesome sex for excitement. However, these couples tended to avoid loving outsiders. Lastly, gay couples in open relationship trusted their partner and believed they were concentrated in love.

中文部分
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