Complexities of Informal Social Support Arrangements for Black Lesbian Couples by Valerie Q. Glass; April L. Few?Demo

Complexities of Informal Social Support Arrangements for Black Lesbian Couples

Valerie Q. Glass; April L. Few?Demo

This qualitative study examined how Black lesbian couples receive informal social support from their social networks. Guided by an inte- grated framework of symbolic interactionism and Black feminist theory, interviews were conducted with 11 Black lesbian couples (22 individuals) in committed relationships. Using grounded theory methodology, it was found that Black lesbian couples received informal social support from different sources, but that this support was provided to individuals as a means of sustaining individuals’ roles as daughters and mothers. Although extended families actively fulfilled perceived family obligations, they negated the existence of lesbian individuals’ sexual identity, intimate relationships, and families built with lesbian partners. Friends, church communities, and gay and lesbian communities did not validate Black lesbian couplehood or families headed by Black lesbian couples, but served as supportive sites for individuals. Black lesbian couples responded to social invisibility by engaging in self-validating processes and limiting access to their families.Key Words: African Americans, feminism, lesbians, lesbian slepfamilies, social support.

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Details

Genre Black Interest; Parenting & Families; LGBT Studies/Social Sciences
Publication Date 05-Nov-13
Publisher National Council on Family Relations
Language English
Rating NotRated
Subject Families; Family life education; Family social work
BookID 15659

Author: LFWBooks