Addressing the Needs of Lesbian Widows

Abstract

This qualitative research study identifies difficulties encountered by widowed lesbians, especially those difficulties unique to lesbians in their grief recovery process. It suggests the need for more support services for lesbian widows and outlines the kinds of information and skills needed by counseling professionals who work with this population.     

The Needs of Older Lesbians and Gay Men in Chicago

Abstract

The authors report results from a study assessing the social service needs of gay menand lesbians over 45 years of age in Chicago. Results suggest that this population is diverse and presents a wide range of needs. The authors advocate the use of a community organizing approach that involves older gay men and lesbians in the provision of services. The authors also highlight the need to consider the social context in which services will be provided.     

Why Lesbians Choose Therapy

Abstract

This study investigated factors which influence lesbians' use of psychotherapy services. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic variables and experiences and attitudes toward therapy. The sample comprised 247 participants recruited through lesbian/gay organizations. The sample was largely Caucasian, in their mid-thirties, highly educated, and self-identified feminists. Replicating previous research, 78 had been in therapy. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of issues taken to therapy, reasons for seeking therapy and reasons for not seeking therapy, and participants' beliefs about the limitations of the usefulness of therapy for lesbians are presented. Participants expressed concerns about lesbians seeking therapy from psychotherapists who are heterosexist, homophobic, or do not have training and experience working with lesbians.     

Older lesbians' experiences with home care: Varying levels of disclosure and discrimination

ABSTRACT

There is considerable evidence that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults have experienced barriers to health care access and have profound fears about how they will be treated in the long-term care system, but the specific experiences of older lesbians have received less attention. Most older adults needing long-term services and supports (LTSS) prefer to remain at home, and this is true for lesbians as well. This article reports on a national, qualitative study of the experiences of 20 older lesbians (age 65 and older) with home care workers. The experiences of six informal partner caregivers with home care services are also included. Emergent themes regarding level of disclosure, experiences with homophobia, evaluation of care received, and thoughts about ideal LTSS are described. Most study participants did not disclose their sexual orientation to their home care workers. A significant minority experienced homophobia, but nearly all ultimately found workers who provided good care with which they were comfortable. Their visions of ideal LTSS included greater affordability and particular qualities that were important for home care workers to possess, such as competence, caring and acceptance. Practice and policy implications are outlined including careful recruitment, training and supervision of home care workers to foster lesbian-sensitive care, but also improved wages and work conditions in order to maintain a quality home care workforce.     

Older Lesbians and Gays Accessing Health and Aged-Care Services

Abstract

The present paper examines older lesbian and gay people's experiences of and expectations for the delivery of health and aged-care services. In-depth narrative interviews were conducted with older gays and lesbians in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney (NSW, Australia). Data were analysed by identifying evaluative statements within specific narratives and grouping these statements into themes. Participants reflected on the meaning of their sexual identity and how they would like it to be acknowledged when in contact with health and aged-care service providers. In addition to direct discrimination, participants reported a more indirect form of discrimination in providers’ assumption of heterosexuality among clients and their failure to provide lesbian- or gay friendly services. The findings highlight the need for health and aged-care services to better understand and acknowledge older gay and lesbian people's sexual identities to enable improved access to services in the future.     

Older Gays and Lesbians

Summary

This article discusses the impact that coming of age in the Pre-Stonewall era has had on older gays and lesbians. Anti-gay hate and violence, within a historical context of homophobia and heterosex-ism, are examined. Risk factors, as well as coping capacities, for older lesbians and gays are explored. Research on the psychological adjustment and well-being of older gays and lesbians is reviewed, and suggestions for intervention with this population are proposed.     

Sexual Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Diseases of Lesbians

ABSTRACT

The Boston Lesbian Health Project surveyed 1633 lesbians about their health status, health related behaviors and health problems. This paper reports on those parts of the questionnaire that dealt with sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases. The sample was predominantly monogamous, but few had been in their present relationship for more than five years. Sexual practices were similar to those reported in previous studies of lesbians and to those reported in a study of heterosexual women. Sexually transmitted diseases were rare in women who had never had sex with a male partner. The majority of the sample did report a history of male sexual partners and therefore are at risk for abnormal pap smears and other sexually transmitted diseases.     

Playing BINGO with the Best of Them

Abstract

As the author explored different community programs for older gays and lesbians, he realized his own ambivalence as a middle-aged man about associating with older gay men. Gerontological differences and needs are explored in the context of these community programs.     

Sex Role Identity and Jealousy as Correlates of Abusive Behavior in Lesbian Relationships

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a study from a cross-sectional sample of 105 lesbians taken from a non-clinical setting to investigate to what extent they exhibited abusive behavior toward an intimate female partner and whether the abuse was physical, psychological, or both. This study examined whether an association exists between a lesbian's sex role identity, particularly the dimension of femininity, and her abusive behavior. The hypothesis that jealousy in the relationship would be positively associated with reported incidences of abusive behavior was also examined. The results show that when abuse is broadly defined a sizable minority report high incidences of overall abuse and psychological abuse at some time during their current relationship. The most salient finding of this study was the strong evidence of a relationship between jealousy and abusive behavior. The implications of these findings underscore the need for continued and enhanced delivery of services. Other implications of this study point toward consciousness-raising to the larger community about institutionalized and individual homophobia and heterosexism.     

Rural HIV/AIDS Social Services for Gays and Lesbians

Abstract

The HIV pandemic persists into its second decade, with an untoward toll on rural gays which continues to generate suffering and loss. Rural HIV infections are increasing, and the unique problems of health and social services represent new challenges. Professional social services that would overcome barriers to care for rural gays and lesbians have been historically inadequate or non-existent. The HIV pandemic shows that services for HIV diseases must become part of efforts to strengthen the care delivery services for all in rural America, especially by fostering the power and resiliency of gays and lesbians. The empowerment of rural gays, bisexuals, lesbians and transgendered persons assumes that basic differences occur between those in rural and urban areas, and health and social services must build upon the unique strengths of these diverse groups.     

Identity Management Strategies Among Lesbians of African Ancestry

ABSTRACT

The authors present the results from a study investigating identity management strategies among African-ancestral lesbians within their families of origin. The researchers collected qualitative data from 16 African-ancestral lesbians, which were analyzed using the CQR method. From these responses we examined themes relating to the coming-out experiences, familial support patterns, and the integration and management of lesbian identities within African-ancestral families. We found that participants typically reported positive feelings and attitudes about themselves and their lesbian identities. Although levels of distress experienced during the coming-out process were mixed, our participants consistently endorsed the importance of relationships with family members as a means of more effectively managing their lesbian identities.     

Effects of sexuality on lesbians' experiences of depression

1. Lesbians are members of every racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic group. 2. Very little is known about depression in lesbians, and thus far, study findings are conflicting. However, depression in lesbians seems to be underpinned by relationship issues and levels of social support. 3. Caring for lesbian clients requires nurses to think holistically, understand their clients' sexuality within the context of their life experiences, and demonstrate respect and acceptance.     

The Bloom Is on the Rose

Summary

This paper argues for the value of an adult developmental perspective in work with lesbian couples. Focusing on midlife, case examples illustrate issues and situations that create strength and satisfaction, as well as those that create stress and disappointment. Key themes include expansiveness and generativity, differentiation, awareness of past and future, reorganizing priorities, finitude, caregiving stress, infidelity, midlife crisis, self-growth, and the different impact of homophobia on three cohorts of midlife lesbians. Implications for therapeutic intervention are described, with particular emphasis on case formulation and treatment planning that explicitly provides couples with an understanding of the sociohistorical and adult developmental context in which their difficulties arise.     

The Nature and Prevention of Harm in Technology-Mediated Self-Help Settings: Three Exemplars

SUMMARY

This paper argues that in addition to the substantial benefits they provide for members, on-line support groups create the potential for harm. Qualitative discourse analysis methods are used to examine messages exchanged in three distinct groups comprised of sexual abuse survivors, persons with disabilities, and parents. Examples of on-line practices with the potential to be harmful to individuals, dyadic relationships, and the larger group are identified. Several protective practices used by these groups that appear uniquely adapted for on-line support environments are also documented. Tentative guidelines are suggested for human services professionals interested in developing on-line support groups or referring clients to existing groups. The paper concludes with a discussion of the need for more research and a caution about the ethical responsibilities of researchers and practitioners who venture into this rapidly developing context of human service work.     

American Indian Lesbians and Gays

Abstract

This article is a study of American Indian lesbians and gays. Using interview content, this study helps practitioners understand these virtually unstudied individuals. Interview data are compared to reports in the literature in an effort to understand how American Indian lesbians and gays are similar to and different from other lesbians and gays. Implications about future research and social work practice with American Indian lesbians and gays are discussed.     

Direct Service Applications of Videoconferencing Technologies: Case Examples from Korea and the United States

SUMMARY

This paper describes practice applications of videoconferencing technologies in two settings. In Korea, people who live in areas which lack social welfare expertise receive services such as education, counseling, diagnostic assessment, and therapy through a system linking the central site with three service agencies in three different cities. In the United States, an interactive video breast cancer support group links women in three distant communities monthly. Evaluative feedback concerning these applications from professional and lay users will be reviewed in detail. Implications for the use of videoconferencing in social work practice will be discussed.     

Kin Keeper

Abstract

Cancer mortality issues for African-American women are undeniably real. It is also apparent that to address the issue of this unequal burden, different intervention approaches are necessary. Employing a family systems approach for African-American women and their families holds benefits for both cancer prevention and cancer treatment. The Kin Keeper Modelis based on the premise that the natural ways African-American women communicate various health messages to females in their family can be used to influence their cancer prevention and screening behaviors. This paper reports empirical research that demonstrates significant familial influence on African-American women's cancer prevention screening behaviors. Findings indicated that family influence provides insight into the intersection of family altruism with cultural familial decision-making. In addition, the findings underscore the strong influence family has on African-American women's propensity to     

The 'Pygmalion Syndrome': The Case of Mizrachi Lesbians in Israel

This article examines the mobilization of a lesbian identity in Israeli society by Mizrachi lesbians as a means to reach individual mobility through establishing social contacts with educated well-off professional Ashkenazi women. Based on interviews with ethnic lesbians living in steady relationships with educated professional women of the dominant group and with some of their partners, this study investigates how Mizrachi lesbians shoulder aside their distinctive features while mobilizing their lesbian identity as a means to establish connections, gain acceptance in the lesbian community, get better jobs, and succeed in schooling. Upon both professional and personal success, Mizrachi lesbians come to terms with their origins, redefine their identity components, and form a distinctive ethnic-lesbian identity to be supported with a strong ideology. While the obliteration of ethnic traits in favor of acceptance in the lesbian community allows mobility on a personal basis, it reinforces the invisibility of ethnic lesbians and reproduces the power relations between dominant and ethnic groups in Israel.     

Portrayals of the internal God among Ashkenazi Jewish Orthodox lesbians in Israel

Abstract

Most of the existing literature on Ashkenazi Orthodox Jewish lesbians focuses on sociological aspects, mainly the negative attitudes held by religious communities towards their sexual identity and the various problems that arise from these. Less attention has been paid to lesbians’ psychological coping mechanisms with the tensions between their two central identities: the religious and the sexual. Ashkenazi Orthodox lesbians find themselves in a complicated situation where they remain on the margins of both their “natural” communities: the religious one and the homosexual one. As a result, they feel rejected, isolated, and even punished by society. As believers, God is their ultimate refuge. But there are different conceptions of God, ranging from benevolent to persecutory, accepting or highly judgmental and punishing. This variance has not been considered in regard to the dual identity of Ashkenazi Orthodox lesbians. This article focuses on this neglected issue, examining Ashkenazi Orthodox lesbians’ conception of God and its relation to their managing the conflict between their apparently conflicting identities.     

Access to the labour market for gays and lesbians: Research review

ABSTRACT

This article reviews findings of scientific studies looking into the bias that gay men and lesbians face when accessing the labor market. Studies in this topic were scarce before year 2000, but a considerable body of literature appeared in the Western countries in the recent years. When summed up, the findings provide robust evidence that lesbians and gay men face negative bias when accessing employment. The magnitude of the bias varies considerably across contexts. Different labor market outcomes of gay men and lesbians are also partially caused by differences in household specialization between different-sex and same-sex households. Future research needs to address the contextual differences in bias against gay men and lesbians.