During New York City's Stonewall 25 and Gay Pride celebration in 1994, photographer John Gettings shot black-and-white portraits of gay and lesbian couples, and later recorded their comments about their lives and their love for each other. The result is this stunning collection, a compendium of words and images that provides the clearest window yet into the thoughts, emotions, and devotion of same-sex couples and their struggles and joys enroute to each other. These are not celebrity gays, but ordinary citizens from all walks of life-accountants, teachers, lawyers, bartenders, chauffeurs, corporate executives-and many regions and backgrounds. They represent the full spectrum of contemporary gay culture, and their revelations about coming out, family reactions to their partnerships, limitations on their rights, and forging a life together are infallibly colored with caring and commitment. "We are more than lovers," Leland says of his partner of 13 years, "we are best friends." Maureen says "Helen has been the greatest person and the best influence in my life." At a time when domestic partnerships and same-sex marriages are increasingly visible on judicial, legislative, and political agendas, Couples addresses a fundamental issue of human connections with honesty, humor, perceptiveness, and great passion.