Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [155]-173). Also available on the Internet.

M.A. / Despite the fact that same-sex marriage was legalised in South Africa in 2006, predominant societal attitudes towards gay couples remain negative. In the face of this opposition, samesex couples who choose to marry are often in need of support, but may find that support lacking because of the stigma associated with being gay. This study sought to explore what happens with family support in particular when a gay couple chooses to marry legally. Using a narrative qualitative method, informed and influenced by phenomenological research and grounded theory, the researcher sought to explore and describe the experience of three female same-sex couples and the impact their legal marriage had on family support. One in-depth unstructured interview was conducted with each couple. Data were collected and analysed concurrently to identify story plot and themes related to family support, and how that support changed over time. Although no specific trends related to changes in family support emerged, the study revealed that 1) same-sex marriage was a form of ‘coming out,’ 2) couples did desire family support throughout the process of getting married, 3) couples desired support particularly in the form of validation of their identity and engagement/involvement in the preparations for getting married, and 4) for many families, offering support was a process that involved assimilating the idea of gay marriage. In addition, emerging theory seemed to suggest that moments of crisis and family rituals have the potential for increasing the level of family support offered to married gay couples, and that having the opportunity to tell their stories and hear the stories of other married gay couples was significant to the couples involved in the study. Implications for social work practice related to these theories were also identified. Finally, it is hoped that the rich and detailed description shared by the couples in this study added critical depth to an area of research (same-sex marriage) that is generally neglected.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The main aim of the present study is to undertake an examination of the discourses regarding lesbianism as produced by a group of black South African lesbians. / South Africa

Li, Ming. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-76). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Section I: --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Homosexuals in China --- p.5 / The Invisible Lesbians --- p.6 / Minority Stress --- p.9 / Minority Stress Model --- p.10 / Understanding Lesbians' Stresses in the Chinese Context --- p.13 / Chapter Section II: --- Methodology --- p.17 / Sampling --- p.17 / Data Collection --- p.20 / Data Analysis --- p.22 / Sample Description --- p.23 / Limitations --- p.24 / Chapter Section III: --- Stresses among Lesbians --- p.26 / Family --- p.27 / Labor Market and Workplace --- p.33 / Intimate Relationship --- p.37 / Chapter Section IV: --- Different Identities under the Same Name --- p.46 / Gendered Understanding of Lesbian Identity --- p.46 / Components of Lesbian Identity --- p.58 / Relating Minority Identity to Stress --- p.63 / Chapter Section V: --- Conclusion --- p.69 / References --- p.74

Thesis (M.G.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Sociology and Gerontology, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-68).

羅立敏. / "2004年8月". / 論文(哲學碩士)--香港中文大學, 2004. / 附參考文獻. / 附中英文摘要. / "2004 nian 8 yue". / Luo Limin. / Lun wen (zhe xue shuo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2004. / Fu can kao wen xian. / Fu Zhong Ying wen zhai yao. / Chapter 第一章- --- 引言 --- p.1 / Chapter 甲. --- 「網際網絡」的特色 --- p.2 / Chapter 乙. --- 「網絡虚擬空間」與同志社群的凝聚 --- p.13 / Chapter 丙. --- 研究背景 --- p.17 / Chapter 第二章 - --- 「網絡虚擬空間」的發展與應用 --- p.27 / Chapter 甲. --- 「網絡虚擬空間」的發展歷史 --- p.29 / Chapter 乙. --- 「網絡虚擬空間」在香港的發展與應用 --- p.51 / Chapter 丙. --- 本章小結 --- p.57 / Chapter 第三章 - --- 「網絡虛擬空間」對性小眾組織的作用 --- p.63 / Chapter 甲. --- 南韓組織的經驗 --- p.66 / Chapter 乙. --- 香港女同志組織的經驗 --- p.77 / Chapter 丙. --- 本章小結 --- p.88 / Chapter 第四章- --- 女同志個人在「網絡虚擬空間」的參與 --- p.90 / Chapter 甲. --- 筆者的個人經驗 --- p.90 / Chapter 乙. --- 香港女同志網絡空間的概況 --- p.98 / Chapter 丙. --- 本章小結 --- p.108 / Chapter 第五章- --- 如何在香港利用「網絡虚擬空間」推動女同志運動 --- p.110 / Chapter 甲. --- 香港女同志運動的現況 --- p.110 / Chapter 乙. --- 利用「網絡虚擬空間」推動女同志運動的優勢與限制 --- p.121 / Chapter 丙. --- 本章小結 --- p.142 / Chapter 第六章 - --- 總結與展望 --- p.145 / Chapter 甲. --- 總結部份 --- p.146 / Chapter 乙. --- 展望部份 --- p.152 / 後記 / 附件 / 參考書目

The first section of this paper examines the formation and portrayal of female/lesbian identity within Australian Literature with particular reference to the Bush Mythology tradition of the 1800's. Through reviewing a number of works classed as lesbian fiction it is argued that a more positive portrayal of lesbian love within Australian fiction is needed. To facilitate this shift in attitude traditional literary motifs, such as the journey and the bush, (typically the preserve of male characters) can be appropriated by a female hero. In the process of re-imagining the bushman's journey as one undertaken by a female/lesbian hero, the bush emerges as a force that can facilitate the hero on her journey toward a sense of wholeness. In keeping with the tradition of Feminist, Lesbian and Heroic literature Stringybark Summer charts the increasing self awareness of a young Australian lesbian as she journeys into the bush. The third person narrative follows the protagonist as she embarks on a journey into the unknown in order to discover the deeper meaning about her self, the world and those who share it with her. / Master of Arts (Hons) (Communication and Media)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--North Carolina State University, 2003. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-99).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [108]-120).

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Defense Decision-Making and Planning)--Naval Postgraduate School, Sept. 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): Jeffrey Knopf. Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-65, 67-76). Also available online.