title: Introduction: leading lesbians fight disease and disability.
abstract: This thematic issue of the Journal of Lesbian Studies focuses on the ways in which lesbian leaders have dealt with disease and disability. In the articles that follow, eight prominent lesbians describe what it means to cope with serious illness and medical treatment in the context of lesbian identity and community. This introduction provides an overview of some of the themes that arose in the various articles, focusing on lesbian support systems as well as best medical practices.
authors.affiliation: a Williams Institute , UCLA School of Law and the University of Amsterdam.
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gartrell
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rothblum
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership