Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - DP120035
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED343070 AUTHOR: Dworkin, Sari H.
TITLE: Identifying as Lesbian vs. Bisexual: The Dilemma for
Women.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1991
NOTE: 16 p.; Paper presented at the Annual Convention of
the American Psychological Association (99th, San
Francisco, CA, August 16-20, 1991).
ABSTRACT: In this culture a person's sexual identity falls
into one of four groups: heterosexual, homosexual,
bisexual, and asexual. Essentialism assumes that one is
fixed with a core identity of either heterosexual or
homosexual. Constructionism posits that categories of
sexuality are constructed to meet the needs of a particular
culture, society, and/or historical period. Bisexuality as
a category is often equated with constructionism. A woman
with a bisexual label is seen as a threat to both the
lesbian and heterosexual communities. The reasons that
bisexual women may choose to identify as lesbian appear to
be social, political, and emotional. Socially the lesbian
identity offers a community in which to belong. Politically
the lesbian identity is a way to continue the struggle
against gay and lesbian oppression and ultimately against
bisexual orientation. Emotionally the lesbian community
offers quality woman-to-woman relationships and a sense of
empowerment. In therapy and counseling it is not uncommon
to see a woman client who is questioning her sexual
orientation. Once the female client is comfortable with her
bisexual identity, if she is primarily affiliated with the
lesbian community, therapists and counselors might help her
to decide how she wants to identify herself. It is
important to explore what each label means to her and how
her self esteem will be affected by choosing one label over
another.
(ABL)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Counseling-Objectives; Counseling
Techniques; Homosexuality-; Labeling-of-Persons
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Females-; *Lesbianism-; *Sexual-Identity;
*Sexuality-
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