From 1994 through 1997, the Lesbian Health Care Project of Western New York (LHCP), a feminist social action research project, gathered region-specific information about lesbians' physical and mental health care. The project conducted a community survey, community focus groups, and a provider survey and developed and distributed a community resource book/directory of providers. This article describes the project and its findings and discusses social action strategies and implications for practice.
References
1.
Apter, A. J.
, Reisine, S. T., Kennedy, D. G., Cromley, E. K., Keener, J., & ZuWallack, R. L. (1997). Demographic predictors of asthma treatment site: Outpatient, inpatient, or emergency department. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 79, 353-361.
2.
Beren, S. E.
, Hayden, H. A., Wilfley, D. E.,& Striegel Moore, R. H. (1997). Body dissatisfaction among lesbian college students: The conflict of straddling mainstream and lesbian cultures. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21, 431-435.
3.
Berger, B. J.
, Kolton, S., Zenilman, J. M., Cummings, M. C., Feldman, J., & McCormack, W. M. (1995). Bacterial vaginosis in lesbians: A sexually transmitted disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 21, 1402-1405.
4.
Bloomfield, K.
(1993). A comparison of alcohol consumption between lesbians and heterosexual women in an urban population. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 33, 257-269.
5.
Boatwright, K. J.
, Gilbert, M. S., Forrest, L., & Ketzenberger, K. (1996). Impact of identity development upon career trajectory: Listening to the voices of lesbian women. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 48, 210-228.
6.
Bradford, J.
, & Ryan, C. (1987). The National Lesbian Health Care Survey: Final report. Washington, DC: National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation.
7.
Bradford, J.
, Ryan, C., & Rothblum, E. (1994). National Lesbian Health Care Survey: Implications for mental health care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 228-242.
8.
Denenberg, R.
(1995). Report on lesbian health. Women's Health Issues, 5(2), 81-91.
9.
Driscoll, J. M.
, Kelley, F. A.,& Fassinger, R. E. (1996). Lesbian identity and disclosure in the workplace: Relation to occupational stress and satisfaction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 48, 220-242.
10.
Dworkin, S.
, & Gutierrez, F. (1991). Counseling gay men and lesbians: Journey to the end of the rainbow. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
11.
Ettelbrick, P.
(1996). Legal issues in health care for lesbians and gay men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 5(1), 93-109.
12.
Garnets, L.
, Hancock, K. A., Cochran, S. D., Goodchilds, J., & Peplau, L. A. (1991). Issues in psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men. A survey of psychologists. American Psychologist, 46, 964-972.
13.
Heffernan, K.
(1996). Eating disorders and weight concern among lesbians. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 19, 127-138.
14.
Herr, K.
(1995). Action research as empowering practice. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 6(2), 45-58.
15.
Johnson, S. R.
(1995). Commentary on “Report on lesbian health’ by R. Denenberg. Women's Health Issues, 5(2), 92-93.
16.
Lesbian Health Care Project
. (1997). The lesbian health care directory. Available from the Gay and Lesbian Community Network, 2316 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216-14216.
17.
Lorde, A.
(1984). Sister outsider. Trumansburg, NY: Crossing Press.
18.
McDermott, D.
, Tyndall, L., & Lichtenberg, J. W. (1989). Factors related to counselor preference among gays and lesbians. Journal of Counseling and Development, 68, 31-35.
19.
Moran, N.
(1996). Lesbian health care needs. Canadian Family Physician, 42, 879-884.
20.
Morgan, K. S.
(1997). Whylesbians choose therapy: Presenting problems, attitudes, and political concerns. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 6(3), 57-75.
21.
Neisen, J.
(1990). Heterosexism: Redefining homophobia for the 1990s. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 1(3), 21-35.
22.
Neisen, J. H.
(1997). An inpatient psychoeducational group model for gay men and lesbians with alcohol and drug abuse problems. In L. D. McVinney (Ed.), Chemical dependency treatment: Innovative group approach (pp. 37-51). New York: Haworth.
23.
Quam, J.
(1996). Old lesbians: Research and resource. In B. Zimmerman & T. McNaron (Eds.), The new lesbian studies: Into the twenty-first century. New York: Feminist Press.
24.
Rankow, E. J.
(1995). Lesbian health issues for the primary care provider. Journal of Family Practice, 40, 486-493.
25.
Reason, P.
(1994). Three approaches to participative inquiry. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research(pp. 324-339). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
26.
Reinharz, S.
(1992). Feminist methods in social research. New York: Oxford University Press.
27.
Roberts, S.
, & Sorensen, L. (1995). Lesbian health care: A review and recommendations for health promotion in primary care settings. Nurse Practitioner, 20(6), 42-47.
28.
Saulnier, C. F.
(1999). Choosing a provider: A community survey of what is important to lesbians. Families in Society, 80, 254-262.
29.
Saulnier, C. F.
(in press). Deciding who to see: Lesbians discuss their preferences in health and mental health care providers. Social Work.
30.
Spaulding, E.
(1993). Unconsciousness raising: Hidden dimensions of heterosexism in theory and practice with lesbians. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 63, 231-245.
31.
Stevens, P. E.
(1992). Lesbians health care research: Areview of the literature from 1970 to 1990. Health Care for Women International, 13, 91-120.
32.
Stevens, P. E.
(1993). Lesbians and HIV: Clinical, research and policy issues. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 63, 289-294.
33.
Stevens, P. E.
(1994). Protective strategies of lesbian clients in health care environments. Research in Nursing & Health, 17, 217-229.
34.
Stevens, P. E.
(1995). Structural and interpersonal impacts of heterosexual assumptions on lesbian health care clients. Nursing Research, 44, 25-30.
35.
U.S. Bureau of the Census
. (1998). The official statistics. 1990 U.S. Census Data: Database: C90STF3A. Summary Level: State—County[Online]. Available: http://www.census.gov/hhes/hlthins/historic/hihistt1.html
36.
Wagner, D.
(1991). Reviving the action research model: Combining case and cause with dislocated workers. Social Work, 36, 477-481.