LESBIANS AND DOCTORS - EXPERIENCES OF SOLIDARITY AND DOMINATION IN HEALTH-CARE SETTINGS

A multiracial, socioeconomically diverse sample of 45 lesbians describ e power relations in both satisfactory and problematic health care enc ounters with physicians. Whether doctors act in solidarity or dominate them is pivotal to lesbians' health care experiences. Solidarity mean s compassionate competence, empowering information exchange, and negot iated action. Domination takes form in the withholding of information information doomsaying, defensive dismissals, sexist comments, body sc ulpting, reproductive regulation, and bodily transgression.