Handout

Lesbian Identities;

A Discussion Among Four African- American Female Friends

Kelly Laysears

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

April 29, 2010

xpqp@iup.edu

Abstract

A person’s sexual behavior could say a lot about them. In this research paper, I conducted critical in depth qualitative research with three African-American women from Philadelphia. This consisted of them answering a questionnaire that I created and face to face interviews. All three women are mothers of young children and sexually involved with women. In my research for a better understanding of sexuality and behaviors, I learned there were many different ways women define their sexual identity.

 

What is “sexuality”?

Sexuality is the “… lustful desire, emotional investment, and fantasy, as enacted in a variety of long- and short-term intimate relationships. Homosexuality, heterosexuality, and bisexuality are used when referring to sexuality.” (Lorber 2005)

 

Methodology:

 

• Each participant was emailed an “Are You a Lesbian” questionnaire that I created. This allows them to open up to me and gave me a chance to break the ice and see how deep they were willing to go.
• I than conducted “face to face” interviews with each woman to elaborate on some of the answer they gave on the questionnaire.

 

Questions and Responses:

1. Are you a lesbian? If not do you date women?

- I do not consider myself a lesbian but I do date women.

- I date women

- YES, I AM A LESBIAN…

 

2. Do you think your current lifestyle is temporary or permanent?
-Being as though I don’t just date women I say my current lifestyle is permanent. I was in 1 serious relationship with a woman and based on the things that I experienced I do not think I can do that all over again.

-I really can’t say. I like what I like right now.

-MY LIFESTYLE, AS IN MY SEXUAL ORIENTATION?? YES…IT’S PERMANENT…I MEAN OF COURSE I WANT A BETTER LIFESTYLE…BUT THT DOESNT CHANGE MY SEXUAL PREFERENCE

 

3. Have you ever thought about how your lifestyle could determine your children sexual orientation?

-No not really because all my children see are their mother and their father. They never see me with females.

-50/50. I think some people are born curious.

-YES, I THINK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME. HOWEVER, JUS BECAUSE IM ATTRACTED TO THE SAME SEX DOESNT MEAN THT MY CHILD WILL AS WELL. BUT IF THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HE TURNED OUT TO BE, THEN I WOULD ACCEPT IT…AS A PARENT OUR CHILDREN DO THINGS WE DNT LKE ALL THE TIME, AND I WOULD NEVER PUSH HIM AWAY THE WAY MY FATHER DID ME.

Findings:

• As I began to read more journals and books on sexual behavior and lesbian lifestyles, I started to notice a pattern of case studies or group evaluations.
• Overall each of their situations were different and when I got a chance to sit down and conduct face to face interviews I began to realize how they each define their sexuality different from each other.
• I guess it’s safe to say maybe some children won’t be scarred by their mother’s sexual orientation. It could be that it is up to the child to make that decision.

Reference:

Bozett, F (1987) Children of gay fathers. In: F.W. Bozett (Ed.) Gay and Lesbian Parents
, pp. 39–57. Praeger, New York.

Crocker C (1979) Meddling with the sexual orientation of children. In O’Neill O (ed.) Having Children: Philosophical and Legal Reflections on Parenthood. Oxford University Press, New York.

Fairtlough, Anna (2008) “Growing up with a lesbian or gay parent: young people’s perspectives.” Health & Social Care in the Community 16: 521-528.