writing about gay partnerships

I’d be inclined to say that people use endearments that are unique to their age and geographical or class status regardless of sexual orientation. So my GP’s often called each other “dear”. My mum and dad it used “sweetheart” or “darling”. My friends who are roughly the same age as my parents and from the same area tend to use the same verbiage (both heterosexual and same sex couples). There isn’t anything that I’ve ever heard that is unique language to gay men, so if a young straight couple would say “babe” or “darling”, then a young gay couple would use the same words.

Thank you Lolo81. I've struggled over this for ages, but now decided to use "chook" as it fits with the circumstances of the couple and I feel comfortable with it. At last!
Thanks again.

A term of endearment is just that ! No necessity Silvergrand to differentiate between gay and straight people. ' chook' is fine if that's the term you prefer. Don't worry about it.

where do people say chook.
never heard that one.
i'm a bit surprised that you think same-sex couples use totally different language.
why would they. they live in the same society.
obviously there are individual variations/eccentricities, but that is so across the board.
didn't prince philip call the queen, cabbage.
and ? prince charles call camilla, gladys.
and george the third and wife called each other mr and mrs king.

I think there is at least one exception. Lass is a term of affection for a grown woman in some parts of the UK, regardless of age, but Lad seems to be restricted to boys and very young men. "He's a grand lad" is an expression of paternal pride than a term used by lovers (I think).

Chook sounds old fashioned and very regional wasn’t it a cilla Black term
I think like in a straight relationships they d have a pet name relevant to the person

BlueBelle I think Cilla used the term chuck rather than chook

Chook is used down under for chickens but also as a form of endearment by some of the older generation.

In our family we rarely use terms of endearment anyway, and I have a sense they are less used now than they used to be.

I am a huge fan of Suzanne Brockmann
suzannebrockmann.com/
who writes great romance novels that included gay partnerships (especially the Trouble Shooters novels featuring my favourite gay hero, Jules Cassidy) and has cracking dialogue.
She (and the novels) are American though.

A much younger gay colleague (he’d be in his early thirties now) called me/workmates ‘chook’. He was from Somerset so I don’t know if that had anything to do with it? Regional rather than his sexuality? Someone else may know! He may have just picked it up from the telly!

Johannes (gay dancer on Strictly) calls his gay dance partner "Babe".

So pleased to read your comments. Thank you!

I felt happy with my decision, 'chook', when I concluded we all have our own ideas of what we want to call those closest to us. It also fits in with an underlying theme of my book.
Regarding why should same-sex couples use different language? I was asking, because I didn't know. I'm gradually learning and intrigued by the way knowledge broadens my mind. If only I'd started the process earlier!

I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you the name of my book?
It is being printed and will hopefully be on sale in about 10 days. As an octogenarian first time writer, I'm both excited and nervous about how it will be received. Just want to steer clear of a heart attack or something!