title: Consequences of frequenting the lesbian bar.
abstract: Research indicates that lesbians who frequent bars are more likely to drink and that lesbians drink more than their heterosexual counterparts. We explored in detail the consequences of lesbians' bar attendance. We conducted 35 in-person, semi-structured interviews and analyzed the data using qualitative methods. The findings are organized into the following categories: safety and support over the life course; lesbian identity development; reduction of stress; and social networks and intimate relationships. In each category, participants' stories are presented to highlight the health tradeoffs associated with bar patronage, the psychosocial importance of the bar, and the relationship between minority stress and alcohol use. Public health implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA. lpg@dor.kaiser.org
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gruskin
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kools
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altschuler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D012147:Restaurants; D012928:Social Desirability; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population