African American lesbian sexual culture: Exploring components and contradictions

Understanding how culture influences sexual behavior is a principal aim of sexual health research. Yet, lesbian sexual health researchers have rarely examined the cultural context of sexual behavior and sexual health among lesbian-identified women. In an effort to address this gap in the lesbian sexual health literature, this study provides a cultural analysis of African American lesbian sexual culture to contribute to the field's preparedness to undertake future sexual health research and community intervention among this subgroup of the lesbian community. The study also explores ways in which African American lesbians view their sexual culture as it relates to the community scripts among groups that share parts, but not all, of their identity (e.g., White lesbian communities, African American heterosexual communities). Among African American lesbians who participated in 9 focus groups, key principles of sexual discourses grounded in mainstream societal messages about gender and within African American communities were assimilated and resisted to varying degrees. Reflecting societal messages about gender and sexuality, participants emphasized emotional aspects of sexuality and reported that gendered roles were typically enacted within sexual relationships among African American lesbians. Sexual values rooted in African American culture were also evident among the women. In particular, women reported a commitment to a cohesive family unit that included children and primacy of the spiritual self. These patterns were confirmed by 5 community leaders who characterized African American lesbians as heavily influenced by the gender-based messages about sexuality conveyed through American culture, as well as the church-based and community-driven messages conveyed through African American institutions. Participant observations across a 4-month period also suggest that African American lesbians place high value on the role of spiritual and religious connections within sexuality, and that African American lesbians primarily view their sexual experiences through their experiences as women. These findings underscore the importance of cultural scripts in governing sexual behaviors and beliefs among African American lesbians and highlight the diversity of perspectives in responses to dominant cultures.