Mediators of differences between lesbians and bisexual women in sexual identity and minority stress": Correction to Dyar, Feinstein, and London (2015).

This chapter examines the intersection of ageing, gender, class and sexual identity, and highlights the significance of same-sexuality social groups for older lesbians and bisexual women. Interviews with 35 women aged between 57 and 73, discussed ‘coming out’ in the 1950s and 1960s, loneliness and isolation and the experience of attending affinity groups. Many participants were rendered ‘out of place’ by aspects of their social mobility, generation, gender and sexuality. The chapter draws on Bourdieu’s concept of ‘cleft habitus’ to consider the contradictions of these mobilities, suggesting that these women faced unprecedented and unique disjuncture between their original habitus and the new classed, sexual and gendered locations in which they finally ‘arrived’. The chapter looks at the potential of social groups to alleviate loneliness and isolation; for many, they are sites of resilience, helping to promote positive ageing for those who have faced marginalisation across their life course.

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The Relationship of Minority Stress and Flexible Coping to Psychological Well Being in Lesbian and Bisexual Women

Journal of Homosexuality ◽

10.1080/00918360802345255 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 450-470 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Mary M. D. Selvidge ◽

Connie R. Matthews ◽

Sara K. Bridges

Keyword(s):

Minority Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Bisexual Women ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

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A Test of Feasibility and Acceptability of Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Women and Men at Risk for High Stress: Pilot Study

JMIR Mental Health ◽

10.2196/15048 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (8) ◽

pp. e15048

Author(s):

Jennifer M Jabson Tree ◽

Joanne Gayle Patterson

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Minority Stress ◽

High Stress ◽

Bisexual Women ◽

Pilot Studies ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽

And Bisexual

Background In conservative and rural areas, where antidiscrimination laws do not exist, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people are at risk for excess stress arising from discrimination. Stress-reducing interventions delivered via innovative channels to overcome access barriers are needed. Objective This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of online mindfulness-based stress reduction (OMBSR) with LGB people in Appalachian Tennessee at high risk for stress. Methods In 2 pilot studies involving pre-post test designs, participants completed 8 weeks of OMBSR, weekly activity logs, semistructured interviews, and surveys of perceived and minority stress. Results Overall, 24 LGB people enrolled in the study and 17 completed OMBSR. In addition, 94% completed some form of mindfulness activities daily, including meditation. Participants enjoyed the program and found it easy to use. Perceived stress (Cohen, perceived stress scale-10) decreased by 23% in women (mean 22.73 vs mean 17.45; t10=3.12; P=.01) and by 40% in men (mean 19.83 vs mean 12.00; t5=3.90; P=.01) between baseline and postprogram. Women demonstrated a 12% reduction in overall minority stress (Balsam, Daily Experiences with Heterosexism Questionnaire) from baseline to 12-week follow-up (mean 1.87 vs mean 1.57; t10=4.12; P=.002). Subscale analyses indicated that women’s stress due to vigilance and vicarious trauma decreased by 21% and 20%, respectively. Conclusions OMBSR may be a useful tool to help LGB people reduce general and minority-specific stress in socially conservative regions lacking antidiscrimination policies.

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Sex During Menstruation: Race, Sexual Identity, and Women’s Accounts of Pleasure and Disgust

The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies ◽

10.1007/978-981-15-0614-7_69 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 961-984

Author(s):

Breanne Fahs

Keyword(s):

Sexual Identity ◽

White Women ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Male Partners ◽

Bisexual Women ◽

Heterosexual Identity ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Heterosexual Women ◽

Positive Feelings ◽

And Bisexual

Abstract This study analyzes qualitative interviews with 40 women across a range of age, race, and sexual orientation to examine experiences with sex during menstruation. Results show that 25 women describe negative reactions, two describe neutral reactions, and 13 describe positive reactions. Negative responses involve four themes: discomfort and labor to clean ‘messes,’ overt partner discomfort, negative self-perception, and managing partner’s disgust. Positive responses cohere around physical and emotional pleasure from sex while menstruating and rebellion against anti-menstrual attitudes. Race and sexual identity differences appear: White women and bisexual or lesbian-identified women describe more positive feelings than women of color or heterosexual women. Bisexual women with male partners describe more positive reactions than heterosexual women with male partners, implying that heterosexual identity relates to negative attitudes more than heterosexual behavior. Those with positive attitudes also enjoy masturbation more than others. Additionally, interviews address sexual and racial identities’ informing body practices, partner choice affecting body affirmation, and resistance against ideas about women’s bodies as ‘disgusting.’

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