Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 1997. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alberta, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-260).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 253-273).

Thesis (doctoral)--La Salle University, 2003. / ProQuest dissertations and theses ; AAT 3108293. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 33-37).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-102). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

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Orientador: Wiliam Siqueira Peres / Banca: Anna Paula Uziel / Banca: Fernando Silva Teixeira Filho / Resumo: A partir do método cartográfico, esta pesquisa apresenta os relacionamentos amorosos de mulheres lésbicas, em uma cidade de médio porte, no interior paulista. A proposta metodológica foi de fundamental importância, na medida em que permitiu o desenvolvimento de uma investigação participativa na qual o pesquisador se implica. A partir de Michel Foucault, focamonos no processo de resistência como forma dessas mulheres afirmarem suas escolhas amorosas e resistirem ao poder heteronormativo. Como foco de interesse, também privilegiamos a produção de subjetividades, os processos de singularização e "revolução molecular"- propostas desenvolvidas por Gilles Deleuze e Feliz Guattari -, que se centram nos processos de criação de novas formas de existir, ao invés das idéias de classe, submissão e opressão. Algumas questões norteiam este trabalho: O que é ser lésbica? É desejar uma mulher? É manter relações com ela? É ser amiga delas e se solidarizar com elas? Pode ser tudo isso. Elas são várias, estão em todos os lugares e se manifestam de múltiplas formas. Também amam, se relacionam e fazem sexo de infinitas maneiras diferentes. / Abstract: From the cartographic method, this research presents the love relationships of lesbian women, in a city of a medium size, the São Paulo state interior. The methodological proposal was of fundamental importance, as it allowed the development of a participative inquiry in which the researcher envolves herself. From Michel Foucault, we focuse ourself in the resistance process as a form of these women to affirm ther love choices and to resist the heteronormative power. As a focus of interest, we also privilege the production of subjectivities, the processes of singularization and "molecular revolution" - proposals developed by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari -, that they are centered in the processes of creation of new forms to existing, instead of the ideas of classes, submission and oppression. Some questions guide this work: What is to be a lesbian? Is it to desire a woman? Is it to have sex with her? Is it to be friendly with them and to be solidary with them? This can be everything. They are several kind of womem, are everywhere and they reveal themselves in multiple forms. They also love, they get along and they make sex in infinite different ways. / Mestre

M.A. / This dissertation attempts to understand the different meanings attached to lesbian identities by comparing the experiences of black and white lesbian women living in South Africa. Literature of the experiences of black lesbian women, especially in South Africa, is plentiful. Thus, by including white lesbian women in the sample, this dissertation begins to fill a gap in literature and provide some insights into an overall experience of lesbian identity in South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven black lesbians and seven white lesbians living in and around Johannesburg, and an intersectional model of analysis was employed to analyse the data. The study found that race as an identity marker is significant in how lesbian women attach meaning to their sexual identities, though it is not the only denominator when it comes to constructing a lesbian identity. A number of other key identities arose from the study which have an impact on the way in which a lesbian identity is constructed, such as gender, ties to family, different social spaces and religion. These multiple identities are not mutually exclusive, and thus interact with each other to influence the construction of a lesbian identity. This dissertation also asserts that a lesbian identity impacts on how the participants experience their other, non-lesbian, identities. Comparing the experiences of fourteen diverse lesbian women has contributed to a deeper understanding of lesbian identity construction, as well as the coming-out process.

Magister Artium - MA / When lesbians, as women divert from social norms and reject the compulsory heterosexual norm, they are either punished through legal systems for transgressing patriarchial structures or not recognised at all. As women, lesbians suffer at the hands of a homophobic society which believs that women have stepped out of line through challenging the hegemonic discourses stipulating that they have specific and distinct roles to play - that of wives, mothers, homemakers and sexual partners to men. Because lesbians do not fit into this construct, their behaviour is socially and legally condemned for diverting from the "natural order". This study aimed to identify and explore the various ways people construct and perceive lesbians and to reveal how sexuality, as a product of history and culture, determines the ways lesbians are treated in their own communities. This study attempted to explore how, despite the democratic stance of the new constitution, South African lesbians still experience discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. / South Africa

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This study examined how gay men construct a gay identity and have relationships within a heteronormative (Kritzinger, 2005) society in South Africa. The impact of this study is that homophobia continues to persist within different levels of society despite progressive legislation (Republic of South Africa, 1998; Republic of South Africa, 2006; Republic of South Africa, 2007), that gender binarisms persist in gay relationships, that power differences impact and shape gay relationships, and that resistance and transgression to heteronormativity were present in some of the narratives. The qualitative study employed a semi-structured guide with in-depth interviews. Sampling procedures that were utilised were snowball sampling in a non-probability sample. Data was collected via an MP3 player and each interview was transcribed and analysed using content and narrative analysis. I-poems using the listening guide (Gilligan et al, 2003) were constructed in six of the narratives. The sample distribution included 15 gay men aged between 20 to 46 years. Of these, 12 participants were black (6 coloured, 3 Indians, 3 African) and 3 were white. / South Africa