The document discusses women-to-women (lesbian) relationships. It defines lesbians as women who are sexually attracted to other women. Historically, lesbian relationships were illegal and socially unacceptable. Over time, the lesbian rights movement has advocated for greater legal protections and recognition of lesbian relationships and families. While same-sex marriage is now legal in some places, lesbian couples still face challenges in gaining full equal rights and social acceptance compared to heterosexual couples. The document also discusses various aspects of building and maintaining healthy lesbian relationships, such as communication, commitment, and creating a supportive community.
2. INTRODUCTION. • Lesbianism: A woman to women relationship is a very strange relationship in the society. • It existed in some setups, as from early 1950’s, •Forks who practiced it, especially among those in the service kept it to themselves. • If discovered were discharged from the service. • It was illegal and traditionally unacceptable in the society. • Due to personal and political reasons many prefer to be called or use other name that feels more encompassing of their unique personal Identity. • Acronym (LBTG) as well as the word “Queer” is used in attempt to include as many people as possible. LGBT is used to refer to the larger community gay men in the introductory part of chapter eleven, on page168 the authors have written, “The new millennium is a promising time for women who have intimate and /or sexual relationships with women”. •“With issues important to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities increasing in the news, more people all over The country are around the world are recognizing who we are and Supporting how we live on lives“ • In Massachusetts, same sex marriage was declared constitutional in 2003 by the Supreme Court. • Legal licenses first given out on May 17th 2004.
3. WHAT IS WOMAN TO WOMAN RELATIONSHIP?(Lesbian) Definition: by: “Our Bodies, Ourselves” in chapter nine page147 “Lesbian” refers to a woman who is sexually attracted to woman.
4. HOW DID IT OCCUERE • To begin with, the community traditionally neglected youths, women in rural areas, transgender people, women with disabilities, and women of color. • This triggered the formation of some activists from the, “Queer Community” powerful derogatory team for gays. • Came up and worked hard to increase the emphasis on coming out to Claim for legal rights and recognition of their identity. • In 2003 the supreme struck, “Homosexual contact laws. This made oral and anal sexual criminal between same sex couples • This landmark case, Lawrence V. Texas reinforced their privacy. • Law enforcers could no longer enter their homes to arrest those engaging in private, consensual sex acts. •Rescinding the anti-queer legislation pared is a way to increased Legal recognition of civil rights of LBTQ individuals and families, other information and support to all queers women. • Laws affecting the lesbians are constantly changing and sometimes in their favor. • Many legislations, judges and lawyer in US judicial systems still perpetuate their society’s bias against the queer community.
5. Lesbian navigate their relationships basing on Finding love: Looking for a potential or life partner, it involves taking risks. Is through casual relationships, or sexual experiences. It calls for moving out of their comfort zones. They face challenges around their relationships, such fear of the rejection, intimacy commitment, sex, abandonment and embarrassment. How people will react when seen come out together,. If dating at the place of work have to find out the company policy and how it could affect their work life In heterosexual relationship, men make the fisrt move, Among the lesbian, communication is the key , having funny and leaves space to create unique relationships. Building Health relationships Lesbian keeps long time connections with partners. Sometimes choose to be single, stay together for a few months, years or lifetime. They plan their lives with their partners to help each other through personal challenges, difficulties, working through conflicts, especially when having children. O n page 173, the author quotes, “ I like being with someone who follows all the treads of my life even the most mundane”. Security Equality with partners. In partnership, women tend to invest in equality. Just believing in the fact of shared power and control is not enough. On page 177, D. Merilee Clines and G. Dorsey Crane indicated in, “lesbian couples” A guide to Creating Health relationship. States,“ Shared intimacy requires attention to the balance of power in the relationship In partnership all participants share and contribute in all areas of life equally to avoid dominancy.
6. Creating supportive community Most straight couple have freedom to hold their hands in public, feel safe to go out together. Feel welcomed by their families and friends and even at the religious services. Celebrate their relationship openly This does not apply in lesbian relationship. Though n straight couples who get their partners or date across the lines of race , ethnicity class, religious lines the may not share all these freedom even if they marry legally and access the right to make decisions for each other in time of sickness and give each other material of well-being in death , among many of the important civil rights. Women in intimate relationships with women can’t take any of this for granted. The differences in expectations in their ways results to class differences caused by their country differences respective histories of immigration. Understanding their differences, privileges, burdens, and histories is a very good example of building bridge within their communities.
7. Making Commitment Is building a strong foundation of love, mutual respect and open communication. Though people pledge to each other through emotional spiritual, and/or legal They commit to share life together, make promises to grow together and to lean towards one anther during difficulties.
8. Making it legal In U.S the federal does not recognize same sex marriage. In 1998 president Clinton signed the , “ Defense of marriage Act”. This defined marriage as a relationship between man and woman. This made states to refuse to recognize sane sex marriage. In 2004 president Bush W George endorsed a federal marriage amendment, was to amend the US
9. constitution to say to prohibit individual state a from making their own discussions on the matter. Civil marriage is a state recognized institution. Provides 1, 049 federal rights and responsibilities Most Same sex marriages are denied essential civil rights and some state s recognize. In Massachusetts, same sex marriage was declared in 2003. Legal licenses were first handed out in May 17th 2004
10. One quotes that that” jumped “out at me. In heterosexual relationship, man and woman, usually the man makes the first move. In lesbian they say, “communication “ is the KEY , having fun and leave space to create unique relationship”. Question to be shared:- If same sex marriage is constitutionally recognized and legal licenses issued, why again are they denied all essential civil rights. Heterosexual couples are entitled for?, like joint insurance, joint tax returns, child support, joint parenting beside others
11. Ref: (1) Our Bodies, Ourselves, A New Edition For New Era By The Boston Women’s Health Book Collective.
