LAVENDER BLUE - ISSUES IN LESBIAN IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT WITH A FOCUS ON AN AUSTRALIAN LESBIAN COMMUNITY

Researchers and theorists confirm lesbians' need for interaction with other lesbian women in order to effect identity acquisition and develo pment. There appears to be, however, an assumption that interaction is a simple process. The research outlined in this study illustrates tha t this is not always the case. Fourteen women, all self-identified les bians who ''came out'' into an Australian lesbian community between 19 80 and 1993, were interviewed. Responses show a distinct lack of affir mation for a lesbian identity from within a heterosexual framework, an d highlight the discrepancies in theories of identity formation which presume an ease of contact with the visible lesbian community. The wom en's experiences in accessing the Brisbane lesbian community, and thei r socialisation into that community, are examined in some detail. Futu re studies into identity acquisition and development would benefit fro m consideration of the concerns highlighted in the present research, a nd may assist women hoping to access a lesbian community for affirmati on of a lesbian identity. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.