Challenging Lesbian Norms

Challenging Lesbian Norms
Author: Angela Pattatucci-Aragon
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2013-02-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1136575510

What constitutes lesbian identity? The term homonormativity describes current prevailing idealized assumptions about lesbian identity. This concept, however, marginalizes subgroups within the greater lesbian population. Challenging Lesbian Norms: Intersex, Transgender, Intersectional, and Queer Perspectives dynamically confronts homonormativity in lesbian communities by presenting expert multidisciplinary discussion about what is a definable lesbian identity. This text sensitively explores difficult issues about gender policing and the viewpoints in lesbian communities that hold that transgender, intersectional, and queer individuals are considered to have 'false consciousness.' Consequences of lesbian normativity, both for lesbian communities and for marginalized groups are examined through literary criticism, lesbian, feminist, and queer theories, corporeal philosophy, film, television, cultural criticism, personal narratives, public health, and field research. The issue of the authenticity of lesbian identity causes rifts between some lesbian communities and the groups that strive to be included, yet are still marginalized. Challenging Lesbian Norms directly exposes practices and beliefs within lesbian communities that lead to the assumption of the prototypical lesbian. The book courageously reveals the similarities of lesbian normative stances with other views such as Christian conservative rhetoric, and reviews the health consequences of being marginalized within the lesbian communities. This text actively challenges the foundational notion within lesbian communities that a stable, immutable lesbian sex exists. Topics in Challenging Lesbian Norms include: human physiology, the flexibility of sexuality, and biologic determinism marginalization within lesbian communities transexualism and Lesbian Theory gender and sexual identity construction, partnering practices, and issues involving queer-identified youth demystification of the gay vibe from a femme queer woman’s perspective lesbian feminism, gender policing, and casting butch, FTM, and transgendered subjectivities as “false conciousness” representations of lesbians in television movies Native-American “two-spirit” women teaching transgender, and its transformative effect identity modeling inclusion of transgender and intersex individuals within the lesbian communities transgender characters in film Latina lesbians and mental health Challenging Lesbian Norms is stimulating, eye-opening reading that is perfect for activists, educators and students in LGBT and women’s studies, and public health professionals.

The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People

The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 293
Release: 2011-06-24
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309210658

At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals-often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT-are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People assesses the state of science on the health status of LGBT populations, identifies research gaps and opportunities, and outlines a research agenda for the National Institute of Health. The report examines the health status of these populations in three life stages: childhood and adolescence, early/middle adulthood, and later adulthood. At each life stage, the committee studied mental health, physical health, risks and protective factors, health services, and contextual influences. To advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, the report finds that researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is a valuable resource for policymakers, federal agencies including the National Institute of Health (NIH), LGBT advocacy groups, clinicians, and service providers.

Queer Studies

Queer Studies
Author: Bruce Henderson
Publisher: Harrington Park Press, LLC
Total Pages: 544
Release: 2019
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9781939594334

Queer Studies is designed as an advanced undergraduate textbook in queer studies for this rapidly growing field. It is also appropriate as a required or recommended graduate textbook. The author uses the overarching concept of queering as a way of looking at the lives of queer people across a range of disciplines.

Lesbians in East Asia

Lesbians in East Asia
Author: Diana Khor
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 199
Release: 2013-01-11
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1136576630

Discover the courageous, vibrant similarities and differences of lesbians in East Asia How are same-sex relationships similar or different in the cultures of East Asia? “Lesbians” in East Asia: Diversity, Identities, and Resistance is a unique examination of research and vital issues involving lesbians and lesbianism in East Asia, using perspectives by academics and activists who typically are rarely published in English. Contributing experts from Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, and Korea discuss a variety of topics, including solidarity and conflicts between lesbians and feminists, identities and identity politics, lesbian lives and families, and representation in mainstream culture. Asia, because of its inherent language and cultural differences from Western society, is a location of a vast unrealized fount of knowledge about same-sex relationships and the societies in which they interact. “Lesbians” in East Asia: Diversity, Identities, and Resistance begins to fill this gap in knowledge, going beyond “East-West” divisions by gathering in one volume studies in Asia lesbian/queer studies of both the West and Asia. The text’s emphasis is on points of connection and cooperation across the cultures within Asia and between this region and other areas of the world. Diverse viewpoints and research on lesbians in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan are presented showing issues and concerns that may be different—and often are very similar—to regions beyond those borders. Topics in “Lesbians” in East Asia: Diversity, Identities, and Resistance include: lesbian rights and feminism in Korea emotional damage suffered in family, work, and school contexts, including self-denial analysis of Internet exchanges in China, highlighting those feeling that they should maintain a low profile and others showing disdain toward the lesbian lifestyle gender inequality and discrimination and their effects on self-sufficiency the effects of expectations of marriage or remaining single on economics, legal standpoints, and in school ignorance and intolerance in Korean and Japanese societies identity politics conflicts of ideas between lesbians and feminists and much more! “Lesbians” in East Asia: Diversity, Identities, and Resistance is important, illuminating reading for academics and students in women’s studies, gender studies, queer/sexuality studies, East Asian studies, and activists in feminist movements.

Lesbian Families' Challenges and Means of Resiliency

Lesbian Families' Challenges and Means of Resiliency
Author: Anne M. Prouty Lyness
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2013-05-13
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1136452605

An inside look at the unique challenges of the lesbian experience Lesbian Families’ Challenges and Means of Resiliency: Implications for Feminist Family Therapy is a unique collection of interdisciplinary feminist examinations of the resiliency of lesbian couples and families. Leading feminist researchers and clinicians discuss parenting within lesbian families, with a focus on personal resiliency. These thought-provoking and insightful articles address the challenges of having and raising children in a society that struggles to accept alternative family structures. Lesbian Families’ Challenges and Means of Resiliency examines a wide range of issues facing lesbian couples, with a special focus on parenting and couple violence. The book’s contributors examine the unique challenges of lesbian and gay parenting; adversities facing lesbian parents and the coping methods they employ; violence among lesbian couples and the lesbian community’s response to domestic violence; and the application of feminist theory to validate, strengthen, and promote resiliency in lesbian couples. The book also includes interviews with single or partnered lesbians who had children through adoption, artificial insemination, or a previous relationship. Topics examined in Lesbian Families’ Challenges and Means of Resiliency include: parenting artificial insemination lesbian family therapy family law couple violence lesbian community feminist research feminist couple therapy and much more Lesbian Families’ Challenges and Means of Resiliency is a vital professional aid for psychotherapists, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors. It’s an equally valuable resource for academics working in family studies, women’s studies, queer studies, gender studies, and sociology.

Women, Work, and Poverty

Women, Work, and Poverty
Author: Heidi I. Hartmann
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2005
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780789032454

Women, Work, and Poverty presents the latest information on women living at or below the poverty level and the changes that need to be made in public policy to allow them to rise above their economic hardships. Using a wide range of research methods, including in-depth interviews, focus groups, small-scale surveys, and analysis of personnel records, the book explores different aspects of women's poverty since the passage of the 1986 welfare reform bill. Anthropologists, economists, political scientists, sociologists, and social workers examine marriage, divorce, children and child care, employment and work schedules, disabilities, mental health, and education, and look at income support programs, such as welfare and unemployment insurance.

Sexualities and Identities of Minority Women

Sexualities and Identities of Minority Women
Author: Sana Loue
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 175
Release: 2009-08-11
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0387756574

The concept for this book came about following the publication of the volume Health Issues Confronting Minority Men Who Have Sex with Men, published by Springer in 2008. Consistent with its title, that work focused on speci?c health issues identi?ed by communities, researchers, and AIDS service providers that were and continue to be of concern . During the preparation of that volume, I received numerous telephone calls and e-mails from women in various parts of the country, asking why a book was not also being developed to address their often-neglected concerns. Accordingly,thetopicsaddressedinIdentitiesandSexualitiesofMinorityWomen were developed based on input from minority women who participated in focus groups conducted in diverse regions of the United States. These focus groups were held speci?cally to provide an opportunity for sexual minority women in minority communities to identify those issues that from their perspective are most salient and relevant to their lives. It is not surprising, in view of the variation in process by which the topics were identi?ed, as well as the differences in perspective as- ciated with differences in sex and gender, that this resulting compilation of topics departs substantially from the focus of the companion text addressing health issues of minority men who have sex with men.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Ageing

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Ageing
Author: Mike Sutherland
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2012-07-15
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0857005375

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people often face unique challenges as they grow older. It is vital that those providing them with care and support understand their needs, wishes and experiences. This book demonstrates how biographical approaches can increase understanding about the distinct perspectives of older LGBT people, enhancing inclusive care and support. Chapters explore people's expectations and fears surrounding care and service provision, the impact of discrimination, and specific issues such as HIV, dementia and end-of-life care. The importance of understanding people's whole lives in order to meet their needs is demonstrated, drawing on the examples of community projects that provide services and build networks. The voices of older LGBT people are heard throughout the book through the use of case examples and original research. This insightful book will be essential reading for all those supporting or caring for older LGBT people, as well as students and researchers in the health and social work fields.

Beyond the Rule Book

Beyond the Rule Book
Author: Ellyn Kaschak
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 180
Release: 1999
Genre: Feminist therapy
ISBN: 9780789007728

Learn to take a moral position as a feminist therapist! Beyond the Rule Book: Moral Issues and Dilemmas in the Practice of Psychotherapy examines feminist therapy and its commitment to work against injustice and work for social and personal change by providing quality and unbiased services to clients. A dialogue is opened among feminist psychotherapists about the moral aspects of psychotherapy from the standpoint that psychotherapy, without a moral stance, is defined as demoralizing. You will discover psychotherapeutic situations that do not fit into any established ethical code, so that the code must be interpreted and a decision must be made giving your clients unprejudiced and effective service. Beyond the Rule Book will help every feminist therapist with the moral and ethical dilemmas that constantly arise in practice. You will explore the use of moral codes in feminist therapy and learn practical suggestions for therapeutic self-care to improve the quality of your sessions. In addition, these suggestions will teach you to model positive behavior in sessions and prevent burnout. Some of the areas of feminist therapy you will explore include: lesbian feminism and deconstructing the lesbian feminist "rules" of sexuality and physical appearance case examples of clinical situations where the therapist is able to use her moral stance to help low-income clients with homophobia and paternalism case examples and creative interpretation of a biblical text to create a moral view for the feminist therapist ways to morally and ethically work in a penal or other institutional system that may be racist and patriarchal, and may also be inherently antagonistic to the development of trust in the therapeutic relationship questions about boundaries with clients with disabilities, being effective with this population, valuing the disability culture, and being aware of the differences between disability and impairment the interface between personal and political agendas for the therapist and the client Beyond the Rule Book will show you how the issue of morality affects your services and how to make decisions beyond established ethical codes. You will explore and consider questions such as "What is the role of morality in psychotherapy?" and "What is the role of psychotherapy in a moral or an immoral society?" This well-written and informative book will assist you in choosing and applying a moral framework to your work as a feminist therapist, also giving clients effective and responsible services without any unfair and premature judgements.

Bodily Inscriptions

Bodily Inscriptions
Author: Lori Duin Kelly
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 165
Release: 2021-02-03
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1527565580

Awareness of the role that physical difference plays in an individual’s ability to negotiate personal and cultural spaces has spread into a variety of disciplines within the past two decades. This collection of essays adds to the growing corpus of work exploring the body as a site of cultural inscription by focusing exclusively on how this process plays out in the sphere of popular culture. The nine essays in this collection touch on a variety of topics of interest to both scholars and students of the body, ranging from contested issues within the discourse on fat and anorexia, to tattoos, domestic violence campaigns, mastectomy, neurasthenia, and gendered identity. By drawing on the work of scholars from a variety of disciplines within the social sciences and humanities, this collection provides models of how different disciplines approach the body. By incorporating perspectives from new and emerging fields like New Historicism, as well as Queer Theory, Fat, and Disability Studies, it simultaneously demonstrates how the use of a body perspective can expand and enliven understanding within these disciplines, and thus should be of interest to a wide variety of readers.