The document discusses various forms of pressure and homophobia faced by women who love other women. It explores how societal expectations for women to be in relationships with men can undermine friendships between women and keep women in abusive relationships. The document also addresses where people learn about sexuality, common justifications for excluding LGBT people, and how homophobia can prevent women from showing affection for each other. It emphasizes the importance of women supporting one another given that families and society may reject homosexuality.

1. Women Loving Women, Resisting Homophobia

2. Does a Woman Need a Man? What kind of pressure is there on women to find a man to date or to live with? What do people say about girls who aren’t interested in boys? How might this pressure come between two young women who might otherwise be friends? Have feelings for or about boys ever interfered with your relationships with a girlfriend?

3. Continue… Have you ever felt that a relationship with a guy was more important than a relationship or friendship with a girl? How might the pressure to be in a relationship with a guy keep a woman in a relationship that is sexually or physically abusive? Was there ever a time when you were doing or saying something that was strong, independent, or simply not accepted and you were called a dyke, a lesbian, or something similar? What other words are used to describe or put down women who are lesbians?

4. Sexual Identity and Homophobia Where do people learn about sexuality and sexual identity in our society? Where did you learn about these topics? What reasons have you heard people give to justify exclusion of against gays & bisexuals? How might homophobia get in the way of women loving other women? Have you ever not hugged, kissed, or shown affection for another woman because of how you might look? Have you ever been called a lesbian? How would you support a friend who was a lesbian or a bisexual? Whom could you talk with about sexuality or your sexual identity?

5. Women Supporting Women Families might unwelcome homosexuality. In return we could turn to friends for support Others might be self-destructive to mask the pain We cannot survive alone in society, women need to support other women.

6. Responding to Homophobia How could you support a friend who told you she was a lesbian or a bisexual? What could you say to her if she was feeling attacked or rejected?

7. Discussion Questions How could you support a friend who was labeled a lesbian because she was being strong and independent and out of the box? How could you respond if you were labeled a lesbian by people who didn’t like you? What would you say or do? What kind of support would you need from friends? How would you respond if you were going for a sport and were called a lesbian?

8. Check-out What are your thoughts or feelings about the material covered in this session?