Straight folk could learn a whole lot from the marrying gays.

Various studies indicate subtle, yet important differences between the ways in which gay and straight married couples interact. And the findings could prevent some marital headaches.

Notably, same-sex relationships, whether between men or women, were far more egalitarian than heterosexual ones. In heterosexual couples, women did far more of the housework; men were more likely to have the financial responsibility; and men were more likely to initiate sex, while women were more likely to refuse it or to start a conversation about problems in the relationship. With same-sex couples, of course, none of these dichotomies were possible, and the partners tended to share the burdens far more equally.

While the gay and lesbian couples had about the same rate of conflict as the heterosexual ones, they appeared to have more relationship satisfaction, suggesting that the inequality of opposite-sex relationships can take a toll.

Other studies also show that gay couples are more likely to work through an argument, rather than taking cheap shots and low blows, which surprised us…