Results from a survey of 283 gay men and lesbians contradict some of the findings of earlier research on gender differences in same-gender friendships. Data from a variety of scales and items indicate that, while gay males and lesbians value casual, close and best friendships equally (similar to research findings on heterosexual men and women), their definitions and enactments of friendship also were similar (unlike other research which supports differences along gender lines). However, some gender differences did persist in the ways gay men and lesbians dealt with conflict and sexuality within friendships. The implications of considering sexual orientation and gender in the study of friendship are discussed in terms of theoretical, methodological and socio-political issues.
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