Lesbians on Medical Encounters: Tales of Heteronormativity, Deception, and Expectations.
The experiences of lesbian women in medical encounters prove particularly relevant for understanding their difficulties in their relationship with professionals and health services. We carried out semistructured interviews with 30 women aged 21 to 63 years, who define themselves as lesbian. The analysis highlights the difficulties experienced in disclosure of sexuality in medical encounters, the tendency for doctors to come across as heteronormative, and also medical practices experienced as appropriate by interviewees. Analysis of participant experiences demonstrates the need for reflection and decision making to promote the recognition of the sexual citizenship of lesbian women and their empowerment.
a Departamento de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal , Setúbal , Portugal.
António Manuel
AM
Marques
Conceição
C
Nogueira
João Manuel
JM
de Oliveira
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D008192:Deception; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011174:Portugal; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology