Gender, health behavior, and intimate relationships: Lesbian, gay, and straight contexts

► Research on health behavior in intimate ties is limited by a reliance on gender socialization theory and a focus on straight marriage. ► We analyze the relationship dynamics around health behavior in straight, gay, and lesbian long-term couples in the U.S. (N = 100 individuals). ► We develop the concept “health behavior work” to align activities done to promote health behavior with theories on unpaid work in the home. ► Findings suggest that the gendered relational context of intimate ties shapes the dynamics of and explanations for health behavior work.