Negotiation of the 'stigmatized' lesbian identity

Abstract

Intensive interviews have been conducted with fourteen lesbians drawing on research on their respective lesbian self-identity and subsequently engaging in social identity through narration of their life experiences. These discourses are analysed by looking at the reasons behind why and how lesbian women engage with the lesbian communities in Singapore. Concepts derived from social identity theories, symbolic interactionism and the notion of ‘stigmatization’ will provide a theoretical sociological perspective with regards to the complexities of identity presentation and disclosure. Although research found that many stigmatized individuals actively seek to interact with other stigmatized individuals and perceived many similarities with others in the ‘in-group’, stigma and prejudice do occur within the lesbian communities. The findings will illustrate the process of negotiation of self-identity, development of social identity as well as the study of the existence of prejudice and stigmatization within the lesbian community in Singapore.