Black Lesbians Matter

An examination of the unique experiences, perspectives, and priorities of the Black Lesbian community

June 2010
A Zuna Institute Publication by Francine Ramsey,
Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, and Cassondra Kellam
 Zuna Institute would like to thank the authors, contributors, sponsors, and friends for their generous assistance with this report.

The Authors The Contributors

Francine Ramsey Cynthia Walston
Executive Director Board Member
Zuna Institute Zuna Institute
Sacramento, California Sacramento, California
framsey@zunainstitute.org
Calvin Smiley
Dr. Marjorie J. Hill PhD Student
Chief Executive Officer Graduate Center, C.U.N.Y.
Gay Men’s Health Crisis New York, New York
New York, New York
marjorieh@gmhc.org Jan Haldipur
PhD Student
Cassondra Kellam Graduate Center, C.U.N.Y.
PhD Student New York, New York
Graduate Center, C.U.N.Y.
New York, New York Juan Battle, PhD
ckellam@gc.cuny.edu Professor of Sociology, Public Health
& Urban Education
Graduate Center, C.U.N.Y
New York, New York

Aisha Mills
Synergy Strategy Group, LLC
Washington, DC

Brenda J. Crawford
Co-Founder
Zuna Institute
Vallejo, CA

Mignonne Pollard, Ed.D.

M. Pollard & Associates
Sacramento, California

ii Black Lesbians Matter

Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary..............................................................................................................1
II. Black Lesbians: Making the Case........................................................................................2
III. Methodology.......................................................................................................................3
A. Survey Demographics. ...................................................................................................3
IV. Findings...............................................................................................................................5
A. Family.............................................................................................................................5
B. Health..............................................................................................................................7
C. Disclosure and Invisibility...............................................................................................8
D. Identity..........................................................................................................................10
E. Aging.............................................................................................................................12
V. Areas for Future Investigation...........................................................................................12
VI. Implications for Programming.........................................................................................12
VII. About Zuna Institute.......................................................................................................13
VIII. References.......................................................................................................................14

Black Lesbians Matter iii

 I. Executive Summary
“Probably the most serious deterrent to black lesbian
activism is the closet itself. It is very difficult and sometimes
impossible to organize around Black lesbian issues, such
as homophobic violence, child custody, and right-wing
initiatives, when you do not want people to know who you
are.” Barbara Smith, (1998). The Truth That Never Hurts:
Writing on Race, Gender, and Freedom
Unique Experiences
As the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer
(LGBTQ) movement gains momentum around the country,
it’s important to ensure that the perspectives and priorities
of Black lesbians are represented. Research studies show that
Black lesbians are among the most vulnerable in our society.
For example, a recent study by the Williams Institute found
that Black lesbians in same-sex couples had poverty rates
of 21.1%, compared to 4.3% for White lesbians, and 14.4%
for gay Black men.1 Such disparities speak to the need for a
fresh assessment of the unique experiences of Black lesbian
communities.
As mainstream LGBTQ organizations set their agendas,
many times the most important concerns and priorities of
Black lesbians are not represented. There are only a few Black
LGBTQ organizations operating nationally. Additionally,
outreach to the Black lesbian communities by mainstream
LGBTQ organizations has been minimal. As one survey
respondent commented, “[For Black lesbians] out of sight
many times translates to ‘out of hearing;’ and ‘out of hearing’
sometimes translates to ‘out of luck.’” Representatives from the
Zuna Institute organization understand the importance of
“having a place at the table” when decision-makers and funders
set priorities to support the LGBTQ community. However,
in order to adequately represent Black lesbians, a national
needs assessment was necessary. This survey, the National
Black Lesbian Needs Assessment asks, “Who are we? And what
issues/concerns do Black lesbians view as important?”
This groundbreaking survey conducted over several
months in 2009-2010 provides a contemporary broad brush
overview into the lives of Black lesbians. This study presents
descriptive statistics. This is not an in-depth look at one
person’s struggle or a collection of personal writings.2 This
study does not include youth members of the Black lesbian
community; it focuses on Black lesbians ages 18-70. This
quantitative study is akin to a Black lesbian “census.” Regional,
1 Black Lesbians Matter
statewide, and local organizations that support Black LGBTQ
individuals asked Black lesbians to speak up and be heard, to
stand up and be counted; 1,596 women answered that call by
participating in focus groups and through an on-line survey.
This is a representative sample of Black lesbians with
participants from every region in the United States. The
largest percentage of the population surveyed is between
40 and 49 years of age with 84% of the participants holding
undergraduate degrees and maintaining an annual salary of
at least $51,000. In this survey, over 36% of the women are
from the southern region of the United States, in localities
where homophobia is a daily occurrence. The survey
respondents challenge the view of who is traditionally
viewed as Black lesbians.
Often research representing Black communities, and by
extension Black lesbian community, focuses on individuals
living in poverty. Even so, the statistics gathered in this study
show that the impacts of invisibility and discrimination have
debilitating effects in the lives of Black lesbians; these effects
are similar to those reported by Black Americans who live
in poverty. The literature documenting the lives of Black
lesbians is not vast; it is scattered among medical studies,
poverty studies, and studies on identity development.
Black lesbians face triple jeopardy,3 the idea that gender,
ethnicity, and sexual identity hinders our advancement
in society. Data reveals that many women in this survey
have had direct experiences with discrimination: in areas
of employment, with health care providers, and in creating
and protecting their families.
As the nation struggles with issues of marriage equality
for gay and lesbian people, Black lesbians are continuing
to create families together. This study reveals that 69.5% of
the women surveyed either have children or are planning
to have children. One survey respondent commented,
“Most Black lesbians don’t see marriage as an important
issue-- because they haven’t had the opportunity to be in a
legal same-sex marriage and have never experienced how
it transforms community attitudes about homophobia,
lesbian parenting, workplace acceptance, etc.” The call for
visibility is the call to be recognized as a family unit with
all the legal rights and privileges granted by law through
legally recognized marriages.
The National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment found that
domestic violence experienced by Black lesbians is rarely
reported to authorities, but has occurred in the lives of
41.9% of the respondents. Respondents reported they had
experienced domestic violence either with a man (14.1%) or
in a same-sex relationship (27.8%). The study revealed that
the needs of Black women in violent same-sex relationships
have been overlooked on local and national levels. The call for
Black lesbian visibility is the call for safety and protection.
How we define ourselves, what we call ourselves, and when
we disclose this information to health care professionals can
have life or death consequences. The invisibility of Black
lesbians, combined with our fluidity of identity poses health
care concerns around HIV transmission. Additionally,
upholding the myth of the “strong black woman” along with
the lack of adequate mental health support can lead Black
lesbians to higher rates of suicide. The call for Black lesbian
visibility is the call to save lives.
The study also provides a peek into Black lesbians and
issues of aging. The research literature focuses primarily on
White gay and lesbian groups and paints a bleak vision of
aging in the gay/lesbian community. The focus group data
collected revealed that long-term health insurance coverage
and residing in retirement communities with other Black
lesbians were among the most important concerns for aging
Black lesbians. The recommendation is that additional
quantitative data be collected specifically focusing on
older Black lesbians. At this time, no conclusions can be
summarized about their specific needs. This is an area for
further investigation.
This study shows that advocacy needs of Black lesbians
persist in the areas of financial security, healthcare, access to
education, and marriage equality.
This study has implications for helping organizations
in program planning. Long-term and short-term strategies
should be used to address the needs of Black lesbians. In the
short-term, issues of financial security, healthcare, and access
to education should be addressed. Strategic partnerships
must be cultivated to provide support and to focus on civil
rights for lesbian families with children. In the long-term,
issues facing younger Black lesbians, as well as those facing
the aging population should be further investigated.
The National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment revealed
that Black lesbian visibility is an essential element in the
political and economic landscape. This survey brings to the
forefront information from a traditionally marginalized
Perspectives
group. This survey also highlights the needs and concerns
of Black lesbians as defined by them.
II. Black Lesbians: Making
the Case
“Let me put it this way: When I show up in a place where
I am lesbian, Black, and a woman, it’s very clear to me where
those things fall.” (Survey Respondent)
The majority of the respondents (55%) in the National
Black Lesbian Needs Assessment are Black lesbians in their
middle years with middle class values and viewpoints. They
are in a developmental phase in life that Sara Lawrence-
Lightfoot states, “is a time to pause, a time for self-reflection
and stocktaking, a time to re-envision the future.”4 Erikson
said it is a time for “focus on family” and “giving back to the
next generation.”5 This group of Black lesbians is strategically
positioned in their careers and lives to make significant
political and economic differences in the United States.
Their voices and experiences add a missing and necessary
piece to current literature examining Black lesbian lives. The
respondents to this survey dispel myths and reshape the
perceptions of who Black lesbians are in this nation.
The literature quoted throughout this document was
chosen because of accessibility. The studies compare Black
lesbian experiences to the greater Black population and to
that of the White lesbian communities and occasionally
to statistics that reference Black gay men. By collecting
these descriptive statistics the survey provides a baseline to
measure one aspect of the Black lesbian experience.
Black Lesbians Matter 2
 Foundational to the development of the survey tool was
the review of the results from the Mautner Project’s, Black
Women to Women Spirit Health Education Survey (2003)
with 600 participants as well as a review of the Human Rights
Campaign’s (2009) “At the Intersection, Race, Sexuality, and
Gender.” These reports addressed several key issues that
impact Black lesbians. The National Black Lesbian Needs
Assessment focuses on broader issues but supports some of
the findings from these surveys.
Black lesbians from around the nation participated in this
study stating, “Someone is finally interested in what we have
to say”. Happy to break the myth of heterogeneity in Black
lesbian communities, one survey respondent stated this report
will “highlight the diversity within the community”. Many
respondents participated to be heard and understood the
importance of visibility. One respondent viewed this survey
as an opportunity to make a contribution, “Black lesbians are
invisible in general so I wanted to make a contribution”.
Priorities
The purpose of the National Black Lesbian Needs
Assessment is to give voice to the voiceless, to have a
community define their concerns for themselves, and
support organizations around the country interested in
Black lesbians to set their programming priorities.
III. Methodology
There is little data that adequately addresses the specific
experiences of Black lesbians in the United States; the Zuna
Institute conducted a series of focus groups in Atlanta,
New York, Denver, and Chicago. Participants in each group
varied in age and affiliation with LGBTQ communities and
organizations. Each focus group had an average of twelve
participants. The information gathered from these groups
was a follow-up to the initial questions in the National Black
Lesbian Needs Assessment – a national electronic survey
of same-gender loving Black women. These focus groups
provided rich qualitative data. The focus groups revealed that
Black lesbians are primarily concerned with issues relating
to family, health, identity, access to financial and community
resources, and community activism.
The National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment was
disseminated in partnership with regional, statewide, and
local organizations that support Black lesbians. A total of
1,596 Black lesbians completed the survey.
3 Black Lesbians Matter
While numerous reports have addressed the plight of
Black lesbians in the United States,6 7 8 this research has
relied heavily on quantitative survey data. Although survey
data can be beneficial to underscore collective, aggregate
experiences, it usually does so at the expense of the individual
or subjective perspective. The Zuna Institute has created a
unique, robust overview of collective, as well as individual
Black lesbian experience in the United States by using both
survey and focus group data. Based on the analysis of the
data, the Zuna Institute has clearly outlined avenues for
advocacy, funding, and programming for Black lesbians.
A. Survey Demographics
According to the results of the National Black Lesbian
Needs Assessment, the modal age category for respondents
is 40-49 (30.2%), followed by 50 and over (25%), 31-39
(22.1%), 25-30 (15.5%), and 18-24 (7%) — see Figure 1.
Southern respondents account for the majority of
participants in the study (37.8%), followed by those from
the West (29.8%), Midwest (18%), and North East (14.4%)
— see Figure 2.
Of these respondents, 71% reside in a “big city” and
21.8% in a “big metropolitan suburb,” as defined by the US
Census Bureau.9 As such, a sizable majority of the sample
either resides in a large urban area or lives in communities
with access to a large urban area (See Figure 3).
According to 2004 US Census figures, 18% of Black
women 25 and older have completed at least a bachelor’s
degree, as compared to 84.4% of Zuna online respondents10
(See Figure 4).
Figure 1: Age Figure 3: County Type

7.0% 1.6%

25.0% 15.5% 21.8%

5.7%
22.1% 71.0%
30.2%

18-24 25-30 31-39 40-49 50+ Big City Small City Big Metro Sub Other

Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute

Figure 2: Figure 4: Education Completed

WEST MIDWEST NORTHEAST .8%

Pacific Mountain West East Middle New
North Central North Central Atlantic England
NH
VT ME

OR
WA
MT ND
MN
MA 15.0%
SD WI NY RI
ID
35.5%
MI CT
WY
NE IA PA NJ
NV IL IN OH
UT DE
CA CO KS MO MD
KY WV
VA DC
AZ TN NC
NM OK AR SC
MS AL
TX
LA
GA
48.9%
AL FL
HI
West East South
South Central South Central Atlantic

Release date: June 14, 2000

SOUTH Some High High School College Graduate or
School or or GED professional
less school
Source: US Census, 2000 Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute

Black Lesbians Matter 4

 Furthermore, only 11.9% of the sample is unemployed.
Figure 5: Annual Household Income
The remaining 88.1% is or has been employed in some
capacity (part-time, full-time, business-owner, or retired).
1.3%
Over half of respondents (54.8%) reported a household
income of upwards of $51,000. According to 2008 Census
data,11 the median income for Black families was $33,916, 12.3%
compared to $54,920 for non-Hispanic White households, 18.8%
$38,679 for Hispanic households, and $66,103 for Asian
households. As such, the Zuna Institute sample is negatively 15.0%
skewed in terms of income (See Figure 5). Despite this
skew, respondents’ reported concerns, risk factors, and
overall challenges mirror those reported by studies of
26.5%
Black same-gender loving women in the United States.12 26.2%
Respondents’ economic class did not lessen the impact of
their sexual identity on health outcomes, family dynamics,
and experiences of homophobia.
Under $30k $30k - $50k $51k - $75k
$76k - $100k $101k - $250k Over $250k
IV. Findings Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute

A. Family Figure 6: Percent Parenting At Least One Biological Child

“Unless you actively work at this, establishing a family

of creation as a Black lesbian can be a delicate and scary
process.” (Survey Respondent) 17%
When examining the family life of Black lesbians,
one must immediately acknowledge their resilience in 45%
creating and maintaining families despite overwhelming 29%
political and financial obstacles. For example, Black
lesbian couples are more likely than White gay and lesbian
couples to be parenting13 and have public sector jobs that 32%
disallow domestic partner health insurance and worker’s
compensation benefits for same-sex couples.14 Additionally,
Black female same-sex households are nearly twice as likely
as White female same-sex couples to live with a child under Black female same-sex couples Black male same-sex couples
18, 52% versus 32% respectively.15 Nationwide, 45% of Black White female same-sex couples White male same-sex couples
female same-sex households include a biological child of
one of the partners in their household, while 32% of Black Source: “Black Same-Sex Households in the United States: a Report From The
2000 Census”, 2005
male same-sex couples report a biological child present (See
Figure 6). Only 29% of White female same-sex households
Overall, 62.1% of Survey Respondents report that
and 17% of White male same-sex households report a
they are currently in a relationship with someone. The
biological child.16 For these reasons, anti-gay parenting
vast majority of respondents (83.9%) also report having
policies in the United States may disproportionately affect
lived with a significant other at some point in their lives.
Black lesbian parents, or would-be parents.17
Moreover, the longer one is in a same-sex relationship, the

5 Black Lesbians Matter

more likely they are to have children (36.1% of respondents
Figure 7: Black LGBT Women And Parenting
overall report having children). This difference was most
apparent between those who have been in a relationship
6-10 years and those for less than a year. Similarly, the “Say
It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” report found that one 13.7% 2.7%
in four Black lesbians lived with a child for whom she had
child-rearing responsibilities.18 30.5%
1. Parenting 18.2%
While close to one third of respondents (30.5%) reported 8.1%
that they do not plan to have children, the remaining 69.5% 22.7%
either plan to or already have children, or have parented a
child in the past (See Figure 7). Close to 45% of respondents
are currently raising children or plan to co-parent.
4.0%
I am a single parent I plan to have children and
For Black lesbians, the experiences and difficulties raise them on my own

of childrearing have also been ignored in research and I currently co-parent with a I plan to have children and
advocacy. As those who bear the brunt of childrearing same-sex partner raise them with a same-sex
partner
activities among same-sex couples, Black same-gender
loving women may be disproportionately affected by policies I am currently a single parent I have been a co-parent in
but plan to co-parent with a the past, but am no longer
which limit benefits for same-sex partners, as well as anti- same-sex partner in the future involved in the child’s life
gay parenting policies. For example, under the George W.
Bush administration, government officials moved to extend I do not plan to have children

certain monetary benefits only to married couples, a status
unattainable to same-sex partners at the time. Additionally,
states such as Florida have effectively banned gays from
adopting children.19 This action not only harms LGBTQ
communities but also the entire Black population, for Black
children are greatly overrepresented in the foster care system
and are most likely to be adopted by Black women20.
2. Domestic Violence
Black lesbians may face additional family obstacles in
terms of reporting, or leaving violent relationships. In the
report “Black, Lesbian and Speaking Out,” authors Kewsi
and Webster write,
A lesbian seeking help is at risk of further victimiza-
tion because of her sexuality, whereas heterosexual wom-
en, with the exception of prostitutes, do not experience
this. Lesbians are less likely to turn to family members
for support, particularly if they are not out and even if
they are, they may fear reinforcing stereotypes of the ‘im-
morality and sickness’ of lesbian relationships.21
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute
In many violent relationships, lesbians are hesitant to file
charges of domestic violence or rape because police officers
are not as likely to identify violence between members of
the same sex.
Accordingly, 41.9% of Survey Respondents report having
been in a domestic violence situation. More specifically,
14.1% report having been involved in a domestic violence
situation with a man, while 27.8% report having experienced
domestic violence with a woman (See Figure 8).
As previous scholarship and the National Black Lesbian
Needs Assessment indicate, the needs of Black women in
violent same-sex couples have been overlooked on the local
and national level. While domestic violence is prevalent in
both heterosexual and homosexual relationships, police
and advocacy groups are likely to ignore the experiences of
Black lesbians, as domestic violence is generally construed
as a heterosexual issue.

Black Lesbians Matter 6


Figure 8: Have You Ever Been Involved In A Domestic
Violence Situation?
14.1%
27.8% 58.1%
No Yes, with another woman Yes, with a man
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute
B. Health
1. Mental Health
“I would also like to mention an issue that might come
under mental health: internalized homophobia. If people
think they’re less than, that they’re going to hell, or whatever,
then they don’t have it within themselves to really join a
community and try to get something achieved.” (Survey
Respondent)
On most health outcome indicators, Black women
evidence more negative health status and riskier
health behaviors than do their White counterparts.22
Research has shown that, irrespective of physical and
emotional stress, racial minorities in the United States
underuse formal systems of mental health services.23
More specifically, Black lesbians are less likely to seek out
traditional professional mental help than are their White
counterparts, even when combating grave mental health
concerns.24 For example, there is a pattern of higher
suicide rates among Black lesbians, and particularly higher
rates among those from economically disenfranchised
communities.25 Scholars have primarily associated
these higher suicide rates with one’s ability to deal with
‘coming-out’, and the social construction of the ‘strong
Black woman.’
7 Black Lesbians Matter
According to Matthews and Hughes, the trope of the
“strong Black woman” may decrease the amount of emotional
support available to Black lesbians and discourage the self
perception of the need for mental health services.26 The
researchers go on to note that,
Lower rates of therapy among African American les-
bians may not necessarily reflect less need for services.
Out of necessity, lesbians of color have had to learn to
cope with extremely adverse conditions, which may mask
the need for support and contribute to underuse and
vulnerability to increased rates of negative psychological
outcomes.27
Accordingly, lack of access to affordable, or culturally
competent mental health services can discourage Black
women and Black lesbians in particular, from seeking
formal mental health services. According to the National
Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, 16.9% of the respondents
were uninsured compared to 24% of Black women
nationwide (See Figure 9).28 Moreover, the odds that Blacks
are underinsured are almost three times that of their White
counterparts. As one might assume, rates of insurance and
economic class are highly correlated. Survey Respondents
earning less than $30,000 were significantly less likely to
have insurance than those in all other income brackets,
particularly those earning $101,000 and up.
2. Physical Health
“As a breast cancer survivor, I’ve had lesbians contact me
who have been recently diagnosed who don’t want anybody to
know that they have cancer. And I’m just astounded at that.
Figure 9: Uninsured Black Women As numerous health risks are linked to economic
factors, poor women of color often do not have access to the
24% preventive care that could ward off the threats of common
diseases and ailments. For example, in the National Black
16.9% Lesbian Needs Assessment, respondents earning over
$51,000 per year were more likely to see a physician for
(at least) annual check-ups than were those who made
16.1%
under $30,000 annually. In terms of reproductive health,

24%
respondents with higher incomes were also more likely
to have a regular gynecologist. In total, nearly 35% of
respondents did not see a gynecologist regularly (at least
Zuna Sample Nationally
once a year, see Figure 10).
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute; US Census,
2002
Figure 10: Do You Have A Regular Gynecologist?

“They don’t want to tell anybody, so they probably just need to

talk to somebody, because they need to be able to talk about
their feelings.”

In addition to the data collected on Black lesbians and

mental health, scholarship suggests that women of color have
34.9%
higher physical health risks than their White counterparts.
For Black lesbians, physical health risks often increase 65.1%
with the lack of a primary healthcare professional. In a
report entitled “Health Issues of Aging African American
Lesbians,” Crawford, Dribble, and Nussy found that:

Lesbians were more likely to have no regular source

for medical care, be uninsured, be overweight/obese, be
a current smoker, drink > 3 drinks per drinking day, and
take medication when diagnosed with hypertension. Het-
erosexual women were more likely to have their choles-
terol checked, have a pap test in the past two years, have
a clinical breast examination in the past two years, and
be on hormone replacement therapy.29
In addition to the risks outlined above, studies indicate
that Black lesbians have shorter life expectancies, higher
death rates from heart disease, diabetes, and cerebrovascular
disease, lower levels of physical activity, higher levels of
dietary fat consumption, and fewer daily servings of fruits
and vegetables.30 For example, Thompson’s research found
that eating disorders are also likely to increase in response
to sexism, sexual abuse, racism, classism, heterosexism,
and poverty.31 For example, heterosexism was a key factor
in the onset of bulimia, compulsive eating, and extensive
dieting.32
Yes No
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute
C. Disclosure and Invisibility
“I am out to probably 98% of the people in my life…
the other 2% are people who I feel my personal life, sexual
orientation, etc. is none of their business because I don’t want
to be close to those folks -- don’t trust them to have my best
interest at heart or those of the people I love and care about.”
(Survey Respondent)
Homophobia is closely linked to “intersectional
invisibility,”33 a term that refers to oppression LGBTQ
individuals face as victims of sexism, heterosexism, and
racism within both the dominant culture and varying
racial and ethnic communities. For many in the LGBTQ
community, disclosure of one’s sexual identity is often

Black Lesbians Matter 8

 accompanied by harassment, mental and/or physical abuse,
as well as alienation and isolation from the dominant
culture.34 For example, while there are federal laws
prohibiting discrimination in the workplace based on race,
national origin, sex, age, and disability, there is no federal
law banning employment discrimination based on sexual
orientation. Consequently, disclosing one’s identity in the
workplace can often lead to exclusion from “networking
opportunities and/or company events, being restricted
in contracts with clients and customers,” or even
termination.35 Fear of these repercussions leads many
to mask their sexual identity.
While non-disclosure may serve immediate protective
aims, the invisibility of lesbians in the broader culture poses
numerous physical health risks. For example, contracting
HIV through female-to-female interaction is possible
but largely overlooked by the medical community. For
example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) reports that female-to-female HIV transmission is a
“rare occurrence,” leading many women to engage in risky
behavior due to a “false sense of security that they will not
In addition to Black lesbian invisibility in medical
literature, many Black lesbians also face personal obstacles
in disclosing their identities to medical professionals. As
one scholar notes, “Both the legal and medical profession
is riddled with homophobia and insensitivity to the needs
of lesbians.”38 Interestingly, within the Zuna Institute
sample, approximately 71% of respondents reported that
they would be comfortable telling their doctor about their
sexual orientation (See Figure 11). There was, on the other
hand, some variation in who felt this was important; 74.4%
of women who identify as lesbian said it was important for
doctors to know a patient’s sexual orientation, in contrast to
only 53.9% of women who identify as bisexual.
Figure 11: Yes, It Is Important For A Doctor To Know A
Patient’s Sexual Orientation
74.4% 71.4%
53.9%

74.4%

53.9%

71.4%
get AIDS.”36 This threatens Black lesbian communities in
particular “[s]ince most WSWs (women who have sex with
women) of color are disproportionately affected by other
HIV risks such as drug use and homelessness.”37 Lesbian Bisexual Overall
Respondants Respondants
Although some epidemiological data have argued that
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute; US Census,
lesbians are not in a high risk group for HIV, we need to 2002
think more broadly. For many years, organizations on the
forefront of the battle against the disease have proclaimed
In terms of being “out” to wider communities (outside
the need to be inclusive in public health education and
of medical professionals), a majority of Survey Respondents
services. Black women, regardless of how they identify their
reported coming out – to varying degrees – when they
sexual orientation, may or may not have sex with men. They
were under 25 years old (63.7%) — see Figure 12. On a
may or may not fall into other high-risk groups. Thus, to
scale of how “out” one is, only 26% of the sample were out
the extent public policy officials cast a wider net, the more
to “all groups” (groups defined as extended family, work
effective they can be in providing comprehensive public
colleagues, your boss, religious community, friends, and
health to all.
immediate family).
Lesbians are present in every community and experience
Additionally, about half of the respondents (48%)
where women are present. Therefore, whatever happens to
reported that at some point in their lives, they had been
Black women happens to lesbians; whatever happens to poor
rejected or discriminated against based on their sexual
people happens to poor lesbians. If HIV is over-represented
orientation (See Figure 13).
among poor black women, then it is over-represented
among poor Black lesbians. Whether they number ten
Overall, Black lesbians face invisibility on two
thousand, one hundred thousand, or a million, they deserve
fundamental levels: coerced invisibility to protect jobs or
information, and their lives need to be protected.
other social relations and absence from formal discourses.

9 Black Lesbians Matter

Figure 12: Age Came Out D. Identity
4.3% “I’m feeling a little old school and loving it, because in the
circles where I live, both politically and socially, lesbian does
not roll off the tongue. And so it’s very inspiring to me that

12.9% there are places in the world that some of us live where that’s
okay, because my mother, who is very comfortable with me as
15.4% a lesbian—well, that might be an exaggeration—has accepted
that I’m lesbian, loves my partner, and has probably been to
more LGBT events than many lesbians in the world.” (Survey
16.6% Respondent)

50.8% *****

“I love the word queer. I love everything it stands for.

Even for people’s uncomfortableness. I am a radical. -I am a
progressive radical person. I embrace that term. I like lesbian
Under 16 17-24 25-29 30-39 Over 40
because of the political connection it has and the history that
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute
it has.” (Survey Respondent)

When it comes to Black homosexual identity, discussions

Figure 13: Rejected/Discriminated Based on Orientation
about the complex social and cultural contexts in which Black
same-gender loving women live their lives is found in com-
mentary on movies39 and other forms of popular culture.40
Unfortunately, in the fields of sociology and psychology
(Malebranch, Fields, Bryant and Harper;41 Crawford; 42
Wilson and Miller43), the majority of literature on Black
homosexual identity focuses primarily on Black gay men.

48.0% 52.0% Of the literature available on Black lesbian identity,

emphasis is primarily placed on gender performance and
the fluidity of identity throughout the life course.44 45
46
As Henderson notes, sexual identities for Black same-
gender loving women are “not binary nor fixed, but rather
are historically contingent, culturally specific, and shaped by
social, economic, and cultural forces.”47 Collins reports that
Yes No it is the daily homophobia faced by Black lesbians that is the
major influence on their “angle of vision.”48
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute

While the vast majority of Survey Respondents identified

The degree to which one is coerced into invisibility is
often related to the degree of discrimination, as well as
the subjective experience and the negative consequences
thereof. Furthermore, the overall invisibility of Black
lesbians in formal discourses not only belies U.S. democratic
ideals, but negatively impacts mental and physical health
outcomes for Black same-gender loving women.
as lesbian (64%), identity varied by geographic location
and age. In the North, a higher percentage of respondents
identified as queer (11.5%), followed by the West (7.3%),
the South (2.8%), and the Midwest (1.5%) — see Figure
14. Similarly, the 18-24 age group was the least likely to
identify as lesbian (69.3%), and most likely to identify as
queer (18.2%).

Black Lesbians Matter 10

 Figure 14: Percent Who Identify As Queer By Region Figure 15: Terms To Describe Self

11.5% 7.2%
3.8%
7.3%
11.5%

1.5%

7.3%
2.8%
1.5%
44.5% 35.7%
North Midwest West South
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute

Additionally, the predominant categories of identification 8.7%

for the women surveyed were femme (35.6%) and ‘none of the
above’ (44.5%) — see Figure 15.
Agressive Dom Femme Butch None of
The results from the National Black Lesbian Needs the Above
Assessment indicate that many Black same-gender loving Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute
women are, in their individual lives, rejecting binary
categorization. As opposed to describing themselves simply
as butch or femme, lesbian or straight, Black same-gender
loving women are creating categories of identification that fit
the specificities of their lived experience. As one respondent
explained, “love is love. I’m open to all regardless of
orientation.” Similarly, another online respondent indicated
that she simply “prefers no labels.”

Additional analyses should be completed to understand

the intersections between sexual identification and age.
Many groups, such as Blacks, Afro-Americans, or African-
Americans-slide between identities based on national
political sentiment. The identities of “butch” and “femme”
are frequently associated with White lesbians in the 1950s.
Perhaps Black lesbians identify as “gay” or as “womanist”
depending on their generational connections. Terms such
as “Dom,” “Aggressives” and “Queer” are relatively new in
the gay lexicon. This study showed the diversity of identities
within Black lesbian communities.

Research has shown that identity development can be

positively influenced by group affiliations. Support groups
or organizations that encompass multiple parts of a person’s
identity help to foster greater self-esteem.49 This research,
focusing on the transitory nature of identity, shows that
there is an important role for organizations that support the
Black LGBTQ community in fostering high self-esteem.

11 Black Lesbians Matter


E. Aging
“I’ve found myself worried more about retirement and long
term care insurance and where I could use that insurance. Are
there Black lesbian retirement homes where I can go into my
golden years around other Black lesbians? With this economy
and the housing crisis, aging brings many financial concerns
for me as a Black lesbian.” (Survey Respondent)
According to the recent report by the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force entitled “Outing Age 2010,” LGBTQ
elders are at a higher risk of poverty and homelessness than
their heterosexual counterparts.50 Additionally, the report
notes that lesbian and bisexual women are about one third
more likely to live alone than are heterosexual women.51
While no specific information is available on the impact of
race, one can only expect that Black lesbian’s pre-existing
economic disadvantage increases their likelihood, over
other LGBTQ groups, to live in poverty, live alone, or face
homelessness as they age.
Twenty-five percent of the survey respondents were
over the age of 50. Additional in-depth research should be
conducted to adequately assess their needs. This survey
has established that they are a population that needs
further attention.
V. Areas for Future
Investigation
This report has revealed that additional research is needed
to identify and assess the needs of older Black lesbians. This
needs assessment does not address the needs of younger Black
lesbians, further research should include these stakeholders.
Economically disadvantaged Black lesbians and Black
lesbians in rural areas also deserve specialized attention.
Although resilient in the face of extreme obstacles,
Black lesbians are severely disadvantaged in contemporary
American society. In areas of family, health, visibility,
identity, class, and aging, Black lesbians suffer
disproportionately in comparison to straight Whites and
Blacks, as well as to the broader LGBTQ community. As
research on LGBTQ communities continues to burgeon,
the experiences of Black lesbians must remain at the heart
of advocacy, funding, and research.
VI. Implications for
Programming
The National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment’s goal
was to identify important issues for Black lesbians in the
United States. The final results show that respondents were
most likely to rate jobs and financial security (40%), health
care (40%), and education (34%) among the five top issues
most impacting their lives (See Figure 16). In addition,
respondents ranked issues of civil rights (marriage and
power of attorney for a partner) highly at 26% and 23%
respectively. Mental health also ranked highly at 24%.
Program planning by advocacy organizations should
take into consideration all of the data provided through the
National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment to develop strategies
for long and short-term program implementation.
On-going and long-term goals of organizations should
include partnering with organizations to advance the civil rights
of lesbians, in the form of family rights. Additionally, partner-
ships with the mental health community should be made, and
education in areas of cultural sensitivity while working with
LGBTQ communities of color should be a priority.
Black Lesbians Matter 12
 Figure 16: Areas Of Importance For Black Lesbian Respondents

40% 40%
34%

26%
24% 23%
20% 20% 19% 18%
15% 15%
13%

5%
40%
40%
34%
26%
24%
23%
20%
20%
19%
18%
15%
15%
13%
Jobs/Financial
Security

Health Care

Education

Marriage

Mental Health

Medical
Proxy

Hate Crimes

Employment
Discrimination

Housing

HIV/AIDS

Aging

Adoption

Domestic
Violence

Immigration
Source: National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment, Zuna Institute

As the political climate continues to shift in the United

States, future research and funding should also address the
specific needs of Black lesbians in terms of civil rights, the
impact that their denial has on political, social, economic,
and health outcomes for Black lesbians. Moreover, while
the general needs of LGBTQ communities continue to be
addressed in policy and research, the experiences of Black
lesbians must not become invisible in this process. As this
report has demonstrated, the needs and experiences of
Black lesbians need to rise to the level of local advocacy and
national visibility.

VII. About Zuna Institute

Organized in 1999, Zuna Institute is a national non-profit
501c3 advocacy organization for Black lesbians that address
issues such as health, economic development, education,
and public policy. Zuna Institute brings about visibility and
empowerment to the Black lesbian community, and strives
to eliminate barriers that are deeply rooted in public policies
that encourage homophobia, economic and educational
injustices, and other forms of social discrimination.

13 Black Lesbians Matter

VIII. References
1 Albelda, R., Badgett, M. V., Schneebaum, A., and Gates, G. (2009). Poverty in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community. Los Angeles, CA. The Williams
Institute: UCLA Law School.
2 Battle, J. and Bennett, N. (2006). “Closets are for Clothes: Tearing down boundaries to freedom for Black American sexual minorities,” in Free at last?
Black America in the Twenty-First Century, New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers.
3 Bowleg, L., Craig, M., And Burkholder, G. (2004) Rising and surviving: a conceptual model, in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 10(3),
229-240, 231.
4 Lightfoot, Lawrence, Sara (1994). I’ve Known Rivers: Lives of Loss and Liberation, New York, NY: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Pp.10-11.
5 CliffsNotes.com. Crisis in Middle Adulthood: Age 45–65. 15 May 2010 <http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-26831,articleId-26814.
html>.
6 Ibid.
7 Mautner Project. (2002). Black Women 2 Women Spirit Health Study.
8 Human Rights Campaign. (2009). At the Intersection: Race, Sexuality and Gender.
9 The United States Census Bureau classifies an urban area as any census block groups or blocks that have a population density of at least 1,000 people
per square mile and surrounding census blocks that have an overall density of at least 500 people per square mile. For more information, please see US
Census Bureau. (2000). Census 2000 Rural and Urban Classification.
10 US Census Bureau. (2004). Educational Attainment of the Population 25 Years and Over by Sex, for Black Alone and White Alone, Not Hispanic.
11 US Census Bureau. (2008). Household Income Rises, Poverty Rate Unchanged, Number of Uninsured Down.
12 See Mautner Project (2002), Human Rights Campaign (2009), and Battle, Cohen, et. al (2002).
13 Cahill, S., Battle , J., & Meyer, D. (2004). Partnering, Parenting, and Policy: Family Issues Affecting Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
people. Race and Society, 6.
14 Dang, A., & Frazer, S. (2005). Black Same-Sex Households in the United States: a Report From The 2000 Census. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 6.
15 Ibid, 6.
16 Ibid, 23.
17 Battle, J., Cohen, C., Warren, D., Fergerson, G., & Audam, S. (2002). Say it Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud ; Black Pride Survey 2000. New York: The Policy
Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 15.
18 Ibid, 14.
19 Battle, J., Cohen, C., Warren, D., Fergerson, G., & Audam, S. (2002). Say it Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud ; Black Pride Survey 2000. New York: The Policy
Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
20 Cahill, S., Battle , J., & Meyer, D. (2004). Partnering, Parenting, and Policy: Family Issues Affecting Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
people. Race and Society, 6.
21 Kwesi, B., & Webster, N. (1997). Black, Lesbian, and Speaking Out. Agenda, (36), 90-93, p 91.
22 Mays, V., Yancey, A., Cochran, S., Weber, M., & Fielding, J. (2002). Heterogeneity of Health Disparities Among African American, Hispanic, and Asian
American Women: Unrecognized Influences of Sexual Orientation. American Journal of Public Health, 92(4), 632-639.
23 Matthews, A., & Hughes, T. (2001). Mental health service use by African American Women: Exploration of Subpopulation Differences. Cultural Diversity
and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 7(1), 75-87, p 76.
24 Meyer, I., Dietrich, J., & Schwartz, S. (2008). Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Suicide Attempts in Diverse Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual
Populations. American Journal of Public Health, 98(6), 1004-1006.
25 Ibid.
26 Ibid, 84.
27 Ibid, p 77.
28 US Census Bureau. (2002). The Black Population in the United States.
29 Crawford, B, Dribble, S, & Nussey, B. (2004). Health issues of Aging: African American Lesbians, Mautner Project, 4.
30 Mays, V., Yancey, A., Cochran, S., Weber, M., & Fielding, J. (2002). Heterogeneity of Health Disparities Among African American, Hispanic, and Asian
American Women: Unrecognized Influences of Sexual Orientation. American Journal of Public Health, 92(4), 632-639.
31 Thompson, B.W. (1992). “A Way Outa No Way”: Eating Problems Among African-American, Latina, and White Women. Gender and Society, 6(4), 546-
561.
32 Ibid, p 550.
33 Purdie-Vaugns, V., & Eibach, R. (2008). Intersectional Invisibility: The Distinctive Advantages And Disadvantages Of Multiple Subordinate-Group
Identities. Sex Roles, 59 (5-6), 377.
34 Bowleg, L., Huang, J., Brooks, K., Black, A., & Burkholder, G. (2003). Triple Jeopardy and Beyond: Multiple Minority Stress and Resilience Among Black
Lesbians. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 7(4), 87-108.
35 Hutson, B. (2009). The “Coming Out” Challenge. Diversity Watch, 40(4), 55.
36 Richardson, D. (2000). The Social Construction of Immunity: HIV Risk Perception and Prevention Among Lesbians and Bisexual Women. Race and
Society, 2(1), 33-49.

Black Lesbians Matter 14

 37 Arend, E.D. (2005). Politics of Invisibility: Homophobia and Low-Income and HIV-Positive Women who Have Sex with Women. Journal of Homosexuality,
49, 98.
38 Kwesi, B., & Webster, N.. (1997). Black, Lesbian, and Speaking Out. Agenda, (36), 90-93, p 91.
39 Keeling, K. (2003). ‘Ghetto Heaven’: Set It Off and the Valorization of Black Lesbian Butch-Femme Sociality. Black Scholar, 33(1), 33.
40 (2004). ’All I Really Want,’ ‘Sweet Love/Thing,’ Is to Be ‘Happy’: Rhythms of Contemporary Black Female Blues and Sexuality. Conference Papers –
Association for the Study of African American Life & History, N. PAG.
41 Malebranche, D., Fields, E., Bryant, L., & Harper, S. (2009). Masculine Socialization and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Black Men Who Have Sex with
Men: A Qualitative Exploration. Men & Masculinities, 12(1), 90-112.
42 Crawford, I., Allison, K., Zamboni, B., & Soto, T. (2002). The Influence of Dual-Identity Development on the Psychological Functioning of African American
Gay and Bisexual Men. Journal of Sex Research, 39(13), 179-89.
43 Wilson, B., & Miller, R. (2002). Strategies for Managing Heterosexism Used Among African American Gay and Bisexual Men. Journal of Black Psychology
28 (4), 371-91.
44 Moore, M.(2006). Lipstick or Timberlands? Meanings of Gender Presentation in Black Lesbian Communities. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and
Society, 32(1), 113-139.
45 Bowleg, L. (2008). When Black + Lesbian + Woman (does not equal) Black Lesbian Woman: The Methodological Challenges of Qualitative and Quantitative
Intersectionality Research. Sex Roles, 59, 312-325.
46 Parks, C.A., Hughes, T.L., & Matthews, A.K. (2004). Race/Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation: Intersecting Identities. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority
Psychology, 10(3), 241-254.
47 Henderson, L. (2009). Between the Two: Bisexual Identity Among African Americans. Journal of African American Studies, 13, 263-282. See also Moore,
M. R. (2008). Gendered Power Relations among Women: A Study of Household Decision-Making in Lesbian Stepfamilies. American Sociological Review,
73(2), 335-356.
48 Collins, Patricia Hill (1991). Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge: Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York, NY: Routledge.
49 Johnson, J.M. (1991). “Influence of Assimilation of the Psychosocial Adjustment of Black Homosexual Men”. Doctoral Dissertation, California School of
Professional Psychology at Berkeley. Dissertation Abstracts International, 42(11B):4620.
50 Grant, J.M. (2010). Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders. National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force, 1-163.
51 Ibid.

15 Black Lesbians Matter

Special thanks to the following for graciously convening and hosting our focus groups:

Kim Ford Kim Hunt

Bronx, NY Affinity Community Services
Chicago, IL
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
New York, NY Zandra Conway
Atlanta, GA
Nita Henry Mosby, Ph.D.
The Kaleidoscope Project
Denver, CO

Community partners who assisted in distributing the survey:

Angela Amos Jeannette Bronson

Women of Distinction Black Lesbians United
Dallas, TX Los Angeles, CA

Mary Ann Adams Kim Hunt

Zami Affinity Community Services
Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL

Beverly Tillery Rev. Yvette Flunder

Lambda Legal City of Refuge
New York, NY San Francisco, CA

Wendy Herndon Rev. Janice Steele

NIA Collective Imani Community Church
Oakland, CA Sacramento, CA

Mandy Carter Kaz Mitchell

Raleigh, NC Circle of Voices
New York, NY
Deon Hayward
Women with a Vision Chris Smith
New Orleans, LA Chicago, IL

Jasmyne Cannick Sheila Alexander-Reid

Los Angeles, CA Women In The Life Association
Washington DC
Marquita Thomas
Out & About Vallerie Wagner
Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA

And many more…

The National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment was funded by a generous grant from the Arcus Foundation.
With additional support from: Gill Foundation, and Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice

Photography provided by Jeannette Bronson.

Black Lesbians Matter 16

4660 Natomas Blvd 120-181
Sacramento, CA 95835
info@zunainstitute.org
916.207.1037

www.zunainstitute.org