This thesis is an investigation into lesbian, and its primary focus is an analysis of the discursive conditions of the ?sex wars?: a moment in feminist politics in which contestations over sexuality became the central focus of feminist debate. In particular, the question is asked how it was possible for lesbian sadomasochism to be problematized as an ?anti-feminist? sexual practice. Lesbian feminism was committed to a modernist logic which compelled the production of ?regimes of truth?, which promoted a certain construction of ?lesbian? as a privileged form of feminist while problematizing lesbian sadomasochism. This problematization is traced to Enlightenment and humanist logics and precepts operative within feminist, lesbian feminist and gay liberationist discourses. The tendency of modernist discourses to produce singular, exclusionary identity categories and a hierarchical ordering of subject positions is also found to be present within the discourse of contemporary ?queer? theory. It is the contention of this thesis that the work of lesbian writers like Judith Butler, Shane Phelan and Teresa de Lauretis disrupts the modernist logic of the ?one? operative in both lesbian feminism and ?queer? theory and points to the theoretical and political work that needs to be done. The most urgent task facing current lesbian, gay and ?queer? theorists is the elaboration of an ethico-politics of difference, one that is attentive to the mutually constitutive multiple differences within and between subjects. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This thesis examines the menopausal experiences of a non-clinical sample of lesbians living in Australia. Research on menopause to date has largely been conducted from a medicalised and heterosexual perspective: thus lesbians’ experiences remain unknown and invisible. Using a qualitative feminist multiple method research methodology combining content analysis and questionnaire/interview research, two hundred questionnaires were posted upon request to self-identified lesbians living in every Australian state and territory. Follow up in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty lesbians. Responses were grouped into four major themes: body image, sex and sexuality, hormone replacement therapy and health services and homophobia. The findings show that lesbians at menopause face some different and additional issues from those experienced by heterosexual midlife women. For many of the study participants, commonly discussed concerns at menopause such as weight gain and other physical signs of ageing, decreased fertility, lack of libido, sexual difficulties and hormone replacement therapy were of little relevance and importance. Lesbians in this study frequently raised other issues such as the universal assumption of heterosexuality and homophobia experienced when interacting with health professionals, which led to less than satisfactory health care and reinforced feelings of invisibility. In the Conclusion I argue that the study participants' views and experiences challenge negative, stereotypical views of both lesbians and menopause. The data thus add a new dimension to the presently narrow, heterosexist and medicalised view of women at midlife and contribute new knowledge to the body of literature on menopause. This thesis is a first important step in recording the experiences of lesbians regarding menopause in Australia. I include recommendations for further research in the area of lesbian health and improved practice, and discuss old and new obstacles lesbians face in a heteropatriarchal society in which lesbians continue to be invisible.

This study explored lesbian identity development and the relationship between Oregon State University campus climate as reported by 35 lesbian students. Identity development was measured by using Cass's (1984b) Stage Allocation Measure (SAM) which is a self-select tool for determining stage of lesbian identity development. The SAM was then used to create a three stage identity development model. Herek's (1986) Sexual Orientation Survey (SOS) was used to examine the campus climate as experienced by lesbian students. Findings showed that 63% of the participants felt it was important to disclose their sexual orientation to members of OSU's campus. Yet, 69% of the respondents did not feel comfortable doing so. Also, 51% of the respondents reported fearing for their safety, and because of this, 47% of all respondents modified their behavior. The results of this study indicate there are additional factors that contribute to these findings. For example, 89% of the participants reported hearing disparaging remarks; 94% felt the possibility of harassment, violence or physical attacks was likely; and 91% believed discrimination and unequal treatment towards lesbian, gay or bisexual persons at OSU was very likely. These findings were reported by equal numbers of individuals in each stage of their identity development. The results of this study indicate that lesbian students at OSU suffer from similar negative experiences as students who attended Emory University (1987), Pennsylvania State University (1987), Rutgers University (1987) and Yale University (1986) where the SOS was also used to measure campus climate. Recommendations for changes at Oregon State were creation of a "safe zone" and programs for retention of lesbian students, increasing visibility of the President's Commission on Hate Related Activities, and making the OSU community a safe place for women administrators and faculty role models to come out. Additional research was also recommended to examine the OSU campus climate as experienced by gay male students and lesbian and gay faculty members. / Graduation date: 1998

This study investigated the experiences of lesbians who are school counselors. A naturalistic/grounded study paradigm was utilized. The participants in the study were five lesbians who were school counselors from rural and urban settings. In-depth interviews were conducted with each of the participants. During the interview process, analysis occurred via researcher immersion. Data analysis reveals a descriptive account of being a lesbian and a school counselor and how those two identities interact. General themes identified are: being a school counselor; development of a dominant view/the construction of homosexuality; participants' perceptions of homosexuality by the dominant view; participants' experiences in living the dominant view/defining of self; and redefining the dominant view/redefining of self. An emerging theory of the interaction of power and identity development is presented, along with the proposal for developing an epistemology of homosexuality. / Graduation date: 1998

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.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2001. / Title from PDF title page (viewed Jan. 9, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-54).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-148). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-148). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 2000. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [328]-346). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ59150.

Purpose - Previous research has explored the information needs of homosexual people for identity development and connecting to others, but neglected to study how they find information in response to their situations. Research has also indicated that gay people suffer from social marginalization and psychological distress, but failed to explore how they seek information to cope with these challenges. Moreover, no study has been conducted regarding lesbians in Hong Kong, a heterosexual-dominated Chinese society that emphasizes traditional family values and conformity to social norms. This study aims to pat1ially fill this research gap. Methodology - Synthesizing sense-making and phenomenological approach. The present study examines Hong Kong lesbians ' information needs, seeking, and use in identity formation, psychological and social well-being. Live experiences of participants are collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews for analysis, followed by triangulation with data collected via pal1icipant observation and document analysis. Findings - Results show that unlike findings indicated by previous study, informants of this study do not perceive virtual communication to be as secure and comfortable as their western counterparts do. As depicted in the thesis, informants in different situations have unique needs and different information behavior, e.g. whether they are single or in relationships; whether they are openly gay, completely in the closet, or half-way out; whether they have religious beliefs or focus on personal growth; whether they are advocators, participants, or bystanders of gay movements. Results also indicate that although intertwined, psychological needs should be dealt with before needs in identity formation and social well-being, in order to boost exploration efficiency as well as receptivity of information sought. The relationships between trustworthiness, variety and reception of information are discussed based on informants' live experiences. Another finding worth noting is that affordance of the internet and abundance of data/information has been slowing down and interrupting information seeking, implying the importance of information literacy. Recommendation - Recommendations are made to information providers based on informants' feedback. Specifically, the public libraries of Hong Kong should establish a discrete LGBT section with a wider variety of materials and convenient circulation policies to better serve the LGBT population in Hong Kong. Additionally, the Hong Kong LGBT community is suggested to establish an information centre for message dissemination, resource sharing, and mass mobilization. Furthermore, Lesbians are advised on how to improve the effectiveness of their information seeking. Further research - Further research is suggested to investigate how lesbians of different socio-economic backgrounds seek information to fulfill their respective needs. It would be also interesting to study what settings and environment might provide rewarding information seeking experiences for sexual minorities. Value - This study improves understandings of the thoughts, behavior, and attitudes of Hong Kong lesbians during their information seeking process to meet their needs. Life experiences of 5 Hong Kong lesbians are portrayed in detail by interactively presenting their questions asked and answers found. The findings are useful for people and professionals who have contact or work with this social group for better understanding, communication, and services. / published_or_final_version / Library and Information Management / Master / Master of Science in Library and Information Management