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Lesbianism as the Practice of Freedom

Julie A. Gedro, Empire State College / State University of New York

Abstract

While being a lesbian presents obvious challenges because lesbians face interlocking systems of sexism and heterosexism, being a lesbian also presents opportunities to live relatively free of societal expectations of couple-hood. This paper will theorize from the literature that lesbians have the opportunity to transgress and transcend societal expectations of “compulsory couple-hood” (adapted from Rich, 1980). However, the paper will also highlight the absence of exploration in Adult Education and related fields of single lesbianism. The paper is framed by Gedro’s theory of how lesbians have learned to negotiate the heterosexism of corporate America, as well as feminist psychology.

Suggested Citation

Julie A. Gedro. 2008. "Lesbianism as the Practice of Freedom" The Selected Works of Julie A. Gedro
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/julie_gedro/9