Lesbian stereotypes

Abstract

The American Psychological Association's Committee on Gay and Lesbian Concerns (Herek, 1987) expressed a need for research that focuses specifically on the concerns of lesbians. To this end, we attempted to identify stereotypes about lesbians, as noted in 278 female nursing students' responses to open-ended questions. Content analysis of the responses revealed a number of consistent themes or stereotypes. The most prevalent stereotypes included lesbians' seduction of heterosexual women, lesbian "boasting," and the "masculine aura" of lesbians. None of the participant variables (age, educational level, social class, and type of nursing education) were significantly related to particular stereotypes. The impact of stereotypes on the acceptance of lesbians within society is discussed.

Incarceration Rates and Traits of Sexual Minorities in the United States: National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012

“…21 Also, especially regarding the high representation of sexual minority women among the incarcerated, gender analysis may be instructive. To the extent that sexual minority women are perceived as failing to conform to societal norms of femininity (e.g., by being labeled as masculine or aggressive), 22, 23 individuals and institutions might stereotype them as threatening or dangerous, thus leading to more punitive treatment.…”

rtuguese Nursing Students’ Attitudes towards Lesbians: From Prejudice to Recommendations for Change

“…Specifi cally concerning the interaction with lesbians, the scarce existing literature points out that the familiarity of nursing students with lesbians is one of the best predictors of acceptance and socialisation (Eliason et al, 1992;Eliason & Randall, 1991). The development of knowledge and positive attitudes towards the lesbian population is thus of utmost importance for an area as crucial as health, where marginalisation poses real and serious risks to the physical and psychological integrity of this particular patient group (Randall & Eliason, 2012).…”

“…It also reported other misconceptions about lesbians, such as believing that they are not normal or suffer from a contagious disease. However, students who reported previous contact with lesbians revealed more positive attitudes (Eliason et al, 1992). Eliason and Randall (1991) also found indications that familiarity and contact with Pinto, D., Nogueira, C. 808 lesbians reduce prejudice.…”

“…Nurses' attitudes, sexual prejudice and/or discrimination seem to infl uence the healthcare services provided to lesbian (Eliason, Donelan, & Randall, 1992;Eliason & Randall, 1991;Parga, Sousa, Costa, & Ferreira, 2001). Sexual prejudice can be conceptualised as "negative attitudes towards an individual because of her or his sexual orientation" (Herek, 2000, p. 19).…”

Psychotherapy for lesbians: The influence of therapist sexuality

“…This might be seen as resisting the dominant discourse that makes feminine lesbians invisible (Eliason et al, 1993) -a subtle control exercised by the stereotype, since the only visible lesbians are those who conform to the dangerous masculine image. Thus feminine lesbians are removed from visibility and from potentially confounding the homophobic stereotype, preventing more women from 'converting' to lesbianism.…”