Voices from the Hinterland: lesbian women's experience of Irish health care

Abstract

There is a lack of knowledge about lesbian women's lives and social experiences in Irish society. Lesbian women's invisibility is reinforced and permeated in all ocial institutions in society such as religion, education and the family. This thesis eals with the nature of being-in-the-world of health care: the nature of being esbian women both as service users and nurses working in the health care nvironment. In their day to day living, lesbian women know bow to act, react and behave to exist within society. However, these taken-for-granted ways of understanding of being-in-the-world are brought to the forefront when lesbian women seek health care. For lesbian nurses, being-in-the-world of health care is to know that world both as health care professional and as lesbian women. The method for this study derives from the philosophical tradition of phenomenology utilising Heidegger and Sartre. The findings from this study suggest that some lesbian women go to great efforts to conceal their sexual identity. They curtail their behaviour, set up barriers to communication utilising protective devices to protect the self from exposure to Others. Lesbian nurses recall being set apart with their difference exposed for them to see as well as the tactics they utilise to negatc the effect of being Othered. They remain hidden, fearing the consequences of being discovered, which leads to feelings of isolation, loneliness and sadness