Disclosure and Non-disclosure: Lesbians’ Strategies of Accommodation and Resistance in their Interactions with Health Professionals

Abstract

Coming out refers to two phenomenological experiences: acknowledging one’s identity to oneself and telling others that one is lesbian, gay or bisexual. Although coming out begins when individuals define themselves, the acceptance of a ‘homosexual’ identity is characterised by disclosing it to others. There is a well-established body of work in relation to the first experience, but disclosure to others has only recently been a topic for investigation.