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Abstract
There has been little research on the complex phenomenon of 'lesbian communities' and even less on how bisexual women construct communities in the perceived absence of bisexual organisations or events in most U.S. cities. Sixty women (31 lesbians, 17 bisexual women, 2 women who identified as gender queer, and 10 heterosexual sisters) were interviewed about their communities. They were asked how they perceived their communities to be there for them during times of stress, and also on the converse of that - how much support they are expected to provide when others in their communities experience stress. Over half of lesbians and bisexual women were highly integrated into a number of communities and felt significant support when times were bad. Others relied on partners and family of origin when their communities were not supportive. Some women used the internet for support, whilst others felt quite isolated from any community. High involvement with communities came at a cost, however, since women had to decide how much time and effort to put into providing support for others in their communities. In contrast, the heterosexual sisters were generally less integrated into communities outside their own families.
Introduction
The cover image of Alison Bechdel's comicstrip book Strip-Level Dykes to Watch Out For (1998) shows a multi-generational and multiethnic group of friends helping to unload a UHaul moving van. It is moving day for Clarice and Toni, an inter-racial couple with a son who are relocating to the white suburbs. Meanwhile the communal lesbian household occupied by Lois, Sparrow, and Ginger is up for sale, and those characters too are moving on. Later on in the comic strip Ginger becomes involved with a man and Lois becomes a gender-blending FTM.
For many of my friends, nothing could be further from their experience of community than this scenario. They feel isolated and lonely. They view their local lesbian community as cliquish, elitist, racist, or ageist. They say it is unfriendly to children, especially boys. When they have moved, or hurt their back, or needed a ride, no one was there for them. Bisexual women are even more disappointed. Many feel there is no bisexual community, and they must choose between being in the closet or passing as lesbian.
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