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224985

(2012) LGBT psychology, Dordrecht, Springer.

Sexual minority women of African descent

Michele K. Lewis, Isiah Marshall

pp. 101-118

Women of African descent who are same gendered loving represent a broad and diverse group. As such, in doing research on the population or providing services to them, the cultural context and social positions of the women's experiences is significant. The cultural context may impact how the women desire to be labeled or identified, or perhaps not identified by a label at all. More research into this area is necessary, particularly to expand upon the gendered structure of labeling, dating, and sexual expression that has been found to exist among some Black urban lesbians. Thus far, research has demonstrated consistency in identity labeling for the cities of Chicago and New York (Wilson, 2009; Moore, 2006); obtaining information about Black lesbians of other cities would also enrich the literature. Also, some women will clearly reflect life outcomes of positive marginality that are worthy of empirical investigation, such that more can be learned about women at the margins who have successfully integrated and embraced all aspects of themselves. Empirical investigations into Black lesbian mother-daughter relationships, with a goal of understanding how the women's relationships with their mothers may impact their psychological development and interpersonal relationships, is valuable. Greene's attention to the use of psychodynamic perspectives in work with Black lesbians is also summarized here. Unfortunately, there is still relatively limited empirical research available on Black sexual minority women, and even moreso for those residing outside of the United States, thus the research presented here on Black Cuban lesbians is illuminating.

Publication details

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-0565-8_6

Full citation:

Lewis, M. K. , Marshall, I. (2012). Sexual minority women of African descent, in LGBT psychology, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 101-118.

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