Sexualities and Identities of Minority Women (eBook)

The book will be edited by Sana Loue, J.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. Dr. Loue is known internationally for her HIV research with minority communities, as well as research ethics and epidemiology. She is the Principal Investigator of an NIMH-funded study examining the context of HIV risk among Puerto Rican and Mexican women with severe mental illness, some of whom are WSW.

Preface 5
Acknowledgments 7
Contents 8
Contributors 9
1 Minority Identity Development 10
Anahí Viladrich and Sana Loue 10
Introduction 10
Defining Ethnic Identity 12
The Development of Ethnic/Racial Identity 14
Social Identity Theory 14
The Social Construction of Ethnic Identity 15
Stage Theories 16
Barriers to Successful Identity Integration 20
Notes 21
References 22
2 Minority Nonheterosexual Women and the Formulation of Identity 27
Sana Loue 27
Introduction 27
Formulating Identity 28
Stage Models of Identity Formation 28
Stage Models of Sexual Identity Development 30
Symbolic Interactionism 34
Social Constructionism 35
Sexual Identity in the Context of Intersecting Identities 36
Identity, Attraction, and Behavior 37
Identity and Attraction 37
Identity and Behavior 38
Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Identity 39
Implications for Research and Clinical Practice 40
References 41
Portrait 1: The Woman I Am! 45
Denise Rembert 45
3 Minority Sexual Status Among Minorities 48
Kelly D. Brooks, Lisa Bowleg, and Kathryn Quina 48
Sexual Stigma 49
Sexual Prejudice in the General Population 50
Enacted Stigma 50
Sexual Stigma in the Workplace 51
Sexual Stigma in Communities of Color 52
Sexual Stigma Within the Family of Origin 53
Biphobia 55
Racism, Sexism, and Classism 55
Racism in Majority White LGB Communities 55
Class and Its Intersections with Race 56
Sexism and Its Intersections with Race and Sexual Orientation 57
Case Study: Experiences of Black Lesbian and Bisexual Women 58
Materials and Procedure 59
Analytic Strategy 59
Results 60
Experiences with Discrimination 60
Discussion and Conclusions 62
References 64
4 Minority Status Among Sexual Minority Women 71
Jessie Daniels 71
Introduction 71
Stigma and Discrimination 72
Impact of Stigma and Discrimination on Sexual Minority Women's Health 73
Response of LGBTQ Organizations to Minority Women 76
Homeless LGBTQ Youth 77
Developing Support Systems and the Pressure to Choose Between Cultures 79
Similarities and Differences in Political Agendas 81
HIV/AIDS 81
Hate Crimes and Discrimination 82
Same-Sex Marriage 83
Discussion 87
References 88
Portrait 2: An Interview with ``Daddy'' 93
Natoya Cody 93
5 Lesbian Families 96
Nancy Mendez 96
Background: History of Families in the United States 96
How Americans Define Family 97
Lesbian/Gay Marriage 98
Lesbian and Gay Families 99
Lesbian Motherhood 100
Gay Adoption 101
Artificial Insemination 104
Family Structure, Family Rights, and Geography 104
Challenges for Lesbian of Color 105
Conclusion 107
References 107
6 Navigating Health Systems 110
Daniel J. O'Shea 110
Introduction 110
Stigma in the Context of Health care 112
Definitions 112
The Effects of Racism and Heterosexism 113
Cultural Competency of Health-Care Providers 116
Disclosure of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to Providers 116
Legal Issues 120
Access to Records and Visitation 120
Medical Decision Making 121
Socioeconomic Status, Health-Care Insurance Coverage, and Insurance System Barriers 122
Access to Care 124
Recommendations and Models to Improve Access to Care, Health, and Well-Being 125
Models to Improve Access 129
Conclusions 130
References 132
7 ``No One Place to Call Home'': Workplace and Community Safety Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women of Color 134
Tracy Jones and Earl Pike 134
Introduction 134
Identity 135
Work and Employment/Vocational Life 137
Safe in the Community: Hate Crimes and Violence 140
Safe in the Culture 141
Resistance and Visibility 141
Research 143
References 144
Suggested Readings 147
8 Religion, Spirituality, and Nonheterosexual-Identified Minority Women 148
Sana Loue 148
Introduction 148
Organized Religion and Views of Minority Sexual Identity 149
Minority Churches and Homosexuality 152
The Impact of Religious Teachings on Sexual Minority Individuals 154
Movements of Inclusion 157
Liberation Theology 157
Other Judeo-Christian Perspectives 158
Nontraditional Spiritual Paths 160
Discussion 161
References 162
Portrait 3: An Interview with Dominique 169
Index 171