by Esther D. Rothblum
page 1-6
by Gloria Wekker, PhD
page 11-23
There are different ways in which black women in the Diaspora have given expression to their erotic fascinations with other women. In this article two idealtypical expressions of black female homosexuality and the outlines of their underlying cosmologies are sketched: "mati-ism" and "black lesbianism". Mati (or matism) is the Sranan Tongo word for women who have sexual relations with other women, but who typically will have had or still have relationships with men, simultaneously. More often than not, they will also have children.
While both types can only be understood via a constructionist view of homosexuality, the institution of "mati-ism" will be shown to have retained a more Afrocentric, working class element, while black lesbianism has more middle class, Eurocentric features.
by Paula C. Rust
page 25-51
This article examines sexual identity formation among 346 lesbian-identified and 60 bisexual-identified women. On average bisexuals come out at later ages and exhibit less "stable" identity histories. However, variations in identity history among lesbians and bisexuals overshadow the difference between them and demonstrate that coming out is not a linear, goal-oriented, development process. Sexual identity formation must be reconceptualized as a process of describing one's social location within a changing social context. Changes in sexual identity are , therefore expected of mature individuals as they maintain an accurate description of their position vis-à-vis other individuals, groups, and institutions.
by Joyce C. Albro, MSW, Carol Tully, MSW
page 55-84
Ninety-one lesbians were surveyed in an effort to determine how homosexual women function within the heterosexual macro-culture and the homosexual micro-culture. Those sampled tended to be young, white, urban, well educated professionals. By exploring four major categories (demographics, lesbian lifestyles/homosexual culture, social relationships and participation in the heterosexual culture) it was found that respondents felt isolated from the heterosexual macro-culture and turn to the homosexual micro-culture for friends, emotional support, and social interaction. It was also discovered that while lesbians do feel isolated with from the majority of society, they function productively in a dual role within their general environment.
by Mary Riege Laner, PhD
page 87-94
An analysis of the age-related content of "Personals" ads placed by heterosexual and homosexual women was undertaken to test hypotheses derived from theoretical notions about differences and similarities between lesbian and nonlesbian ageing. no support was found for a hypothesized overrepresentation of older advertisers of either sexual orientation. Contrary to popular notions, lesbians were not found to be seeking younger partners. However, age differences between groups did indicate support for accelerated ageing among heterosexual women. Possible advantages of lesbian over nonlesbian women in their experience of ageing are presented.
by Alice M. Propper, PhD
page 97-107
Questionnaire responses from 13- to 17- year old girls in four all female and three coed institutions were used to determine rates and causes of institutional homosexuality. Rates were as high in coed as in single-sexed institutions. The overall rate of homosexuality for all seven institutions were 14% for "going with or being married" to another girl, 10% for passionately kissing, 10& for writing love letters, and 7% for having sex, beyond hugging and kissing with another girl. The data suggest that previous homosexuality, often experienced in other correctional programs, explains much of the variance in institutional homosexuality.
by Beverly Greene
page 109-141
Transcribed by Angelina Novani
4th March 1997