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from Clinical/Therapeutic Issues
Counselor Conducts Content
Review Of Lesbian Connection Newsletter
July 20, 2006 -
Terry McVannel Erwin, with the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at
Ohio University, has published a qualitative analysis of the Lesbian Connection,
a publication by and for lesbian women.
The study, "A Qualitative Analysis of the Lesbian Connection's Discussion
Forum," was published in Journal of Counseling and Development, (Vol. 84, Issue
1, 2006, page 95+).
Erwin began her discussion by observing: "One of the best known successes of
the gay movement was its assault on the American Psychiatric Association, which
resulted in that association's decision in 1973 to remove homosexuality as a
form of psychopathology from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (see Lerman, 1996)."
Erwin then described the early development of the lesbian movement in the
U.S., including the organization of the Daughters of Bilitis in 1955 and the
founding of numerous lesbian publications, including: Furies, Amazon Quarterly,
Lesbian Tide, Sinister Wisdom, and others. A series of women's festivals in 1973
and 1974 led to the rise of lesbian artists such as Meg Christian, Cris
Williamson, Holly Near, and MarNe Adams.
The researcher noted that the first issue of the Lesbian Connection was
created by self-described "Ambitious Amazons" 28 years ago in Lansing, Michigan.
Erwin conducted a qualitative analysis of the content of the Lesbian Connection
for a two-year period between 2000 and 2002.
According to Erwin, "This study was based on the theory that positivist
science can never fully represent the reality of the lesbian experience. My
viewpoint, which is based on feminist standpoint theory, is that the position of
lesbians in the hierarchy of political power produces a shared experience and
unique body of knowledge for lesbians."
Erwin found (in examining 88 discussion topics and 253 responses) in the
Lesbian Connection, that five themes emerged: isolation, safety and aging;
children; lesbian relationships and sexuality; physical and mental health; and
political issues.
Erwin recommended that counselors approach lesbian clients with an awareness
of their own prejudices and sexual expression. "They [counselors] must be
comfortable with their own sexuality and comfortable discussing issues of
sexuality within the lesbian context in order to effectively counsel lesbian
clients."
She also urged counselors to "assist lesbians by validating lesbian clients'
feelings of anger and subordination. They can help clients find positive ways of
channeling their rage, and they can join the cause to end the subordination of
lesbian women."
Additional Reading:
Helping Women With Same-Sex Attraction;
UNDERSTANDING THE LESBIAN CLIENT;
Study Indicates Gays and Lesbians Prone To Psychological Symptoms and Substance Abuse.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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