Lesbian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lesbian is someone who identifies as female who primarily experiences romantic and/or sexual attraction to others who identify as female [1].

 

Common Questions:

 

Why are people lesbian?

Most scientists agree that sexual orientation is due to mostly nature and little nurture, a mixture of genetic, hormonal, environmental, and biological factors. There is no evidence to support that parenting or early sexual experiences determine sexual orientation. Most importantly, just as straight people don’t choose their heterosexuality, lesbians don’t choose their homosexuality [2].

 

Am I a lesbian?

If you feel that you identify as a woman and feel primarily attracted to women, you may be a lesbian. If you are attracted to both men and women, and it may be one more than the other, it is possible you are bisexual (see Bisexuality/Non-Monosexual).

It is important to note some women have had relationships with men and women in their lives and come to the conclusion that they are bisexual. Other women have relationships with both genders and later determine themselves to be exclusively lesbian or exclusively heterosexual. As stated in Advocates for Youth, sexuality develops over time and can change, or it may take time for people to recognize their sexuality. Studies and papers, such as that written by Elizabeth Morgan in “Contemporary Issues in Sexual Orientation and Identity Development in Emerging Adulthood” have asserted that milestones for lesbians’ realization of their sexual orientation include: an awareness of being different, acknowledging and experimenting with heterosexual and homosexual attraction and behavior, and acceptance of one’s identity and coming out to others [3]. Thus, as someone who is lesbian, this does not mean you must have a romantic history that includes only women.

 

Who are lesbians?

Homosexuality is a sexual orientation, meaning who people are attracted to. This is different from gender expression, gender identity, and biological sex. Thus, lesbians can be born biologically female or be transgender women (see Transgender).They can also be monogamous, abstinent, or polyamorous (see Polyamorous). Lesbians can be in any profession such as doctors, lawyers, police officers, etc. They can be of any race and any class [4].

In addition, gender expression is different than gender identity. One of the most harmful stereotypes geared towards lesbians is that in every lesbian relationship, one has to be “the man” or the masculine one (described as butch) and one has to be the “woman” or the feminine one (described as femme) [5]. In reality, a lesbian who identifies as “butch” can be with another lesbian who identifies as “butch”, and one who identifies as “femme” can be with another who identifies as “femme” [6]. Some lesbians may choose to dress both ways. Just as heterosexual people have a huge range of gender expression, lesbians also have a large range of gender expression that is not limited to “either, or”.

 

 

 

Citations:

[1], [4] "I Think I Might Be Lesbian, Now What Do I Do?" I Think I Might Be Lesbian, Now What Do I Do? Advocates for Youth, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

[2] Swidey, Neil. "What Makes People Gay? (An Update) - The Boston Globe."BostonGlobe.com. N.p., 23 Aug. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

[3]Morgan, E. M. "Contemporary Issues in Sexual Orientation and Identity Development in Emerging Adulthood." Emerging Adulthood 1.1 (2013): 52-66. Web.

[5], [6] Malia, Mary. "Lesbian Stereotypes: The Worst (And Most Hilarious) Ideas Many Have About The Community." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 2 Feb. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

 

Flags: http://savvyred.deviantart.com/journal/Pride-Flags-Colors-explained-379547414