Lesbian identity management : a study of the personal strategies of self-presentation

This research explored the identity management and self-presentation strategies of lesbian women. Qualitative research using grounded theory methods was used to gather and analyze the data for this research. The data was based on interviews with twelve self-identified lesbian women, general conversations with other lesbians, and literature from the lesbian community. The data revealed the importance of using information control as a strategy in lesbian identity management. A specific form of information control used by the respondents was the knowledge of gender-role stereotypes in their decisions about self-presentation. It was concluded that these lesbian women use the information gathered from their environments in identity management in unique ways because of their position in a heterosexual and male-dominant culture. They each attempt to balance the rules of gender-role stereotypes in their personal identity management and self-presentation.