The most important thing first: Elves are omnisexual therefore some choose to have partners of the same sex. This is accepted in the elven community, and if you have problem with this, please don't join this Holt. We do not stress relationships of this or any nature in the text, but it does exist, and that is something that needs to be acknowledged. A relationship is a relationship in the EQ world, despite our human predjudices. In Elfquest, it is never stated, "Oh, Some-elf is GAY or LESBIAN!" The elf in question can have a particular affinity for same-sex relationships, and we all might know this, but we don't sit around labeling our characters as Gay or Lesbian. They are first and foremost "elves", and the rest just comes with the territory.

Although some elves choose to be monogamous, not all are. Elven society accepts sexual encounters outside the regular lifemating or lovemating bonds as well as more than one love/lifemate. Jealousy is not very common, but it is not an impossibility.

Glossary

Lifemates are two or more elves that have completely committed themselves to each other for life. It is a long-term bond, almost never broken by anything but death. Lifemates can be of same or opposite sexes.
Couples do not have to be Recognized to be lifemated nor do they necessarily have children.

Lovemates Two or more elves who partner for reasons of mental and physical pleasure. Lovemating is not a life-long commitment like lifemating. Also lovemates can be of same or opposite sexes.

Threemates/Threebonds are threesomes that have the same bond as lifemates, each for the other.

Pleasuremates share infrequently occurring intimate relations but there is even less commitment that in lovemating. Also referred to as 'furmate'.

Soulmates Recognized partners

Soulsiblings are two elves of usually (not always) the same sex who have exchanged soulnames either by telling their soulnames to each other or learning them in a moment not unlike Recognition, but without the strong urge to mate. They are often also lovemates, but not always.

Joining refers to the act of making love.

You may be asking yourself, "What exactly is Recognition?" Click here for a brief primer on the infamous "R-word", and why some elves shudder at its very mention.