Sexualities and Identities of Minority Women

This singular volume addresses the issues confronting minority women of diverse sexual orientations (lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and questioning) - challenges that often diverge substantially from those of other women of color, and from those affecting minority men who have sex with men. Contributions from scholars, public health professionals, and members of the community reveal a wide range of developmental, relational, political, and legal concerns that have been given scant attention in either the minority or the sexual minority literature. From these varied perspectives, experiences of stigma and unity, isolation and hope, are discussed with rare sensitivity and insight. Key areas of coverage include: - Development of sexual identity and minority identity: similarities and differences; - Minority sexual status among minorities/minority status among sexual minorities; - Constructing the family: social and legal aspects; - Navigating the health care system: from access to care to disclosure to providers; - Safety and violence in the workplace and community; - Religion and spirituality: exclusion and support.§§Sexualities and Identities of Minority Women is not only a source of practice-enhancing information, but also an opportunity to hear the voices of its subject, making the book especially relevant to health care providers, and to professionals and researchers in psychology, sexuality, public health, health policy, social work, and counseling. It is suitable as a graduate-level text in any of these fields.