Loving Boldly by Ellen Cole; Esther D. Rothblum

In this major contribution to the literature, counselors, psychologists, and therapists address the issues that are vital to the lesbian experience. Although ten percent of the female population may be lesbian, the majority of people in the U.S. consider homosexuality, lesbianism included, obscene, vulgar, and anti-American. Despite the prevalence of and proven positive adjustment of lesbians, mainstream mental health professionals have mirrored society's attitudes in their conceptualization of lesbianism as deviant and in their treatment of lesbians in therapy. The contributors to this compassionate volume examine the need for greater understanding of the issues important to lesbians in order to decrease homophobic stereotypes and to demonstrate how the lesbian experience can serve as an affirmative model of nontraditional lifestyles. They focus on lesbian issues rarely discussed in print--married lesbians, lesbians in rural settings, and lesbian nonmonogamy. The choices, ethical dilemmas, and concerns of lesbians as mothers, lovers, clients, and therapists are voiced in this honest and provocative book.