Lesbian & Bisexual Identities

by Kristin G. Esterberg

This book examines the stories of lesbian and bisexual women in a Northeast community who share who they are, how they have come to see themselves as lesbian or bisexual, and what those identities mean to them. Drawing on social constructionist approaches to identity, Kristin G. Esterberg argues that identities are multiple and contingent. Created within the context of specific communities and within specific relationships, lesbian and bisexual identities are ways of sorting through experiences of desires and attractions, relationships and politics. Their meanings change over time as women grow older and have more varied experiences, as the communities and sociopolitical worlds in which they live change, and as their life circumstances alter.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Bisexual, Lesbian, Feminism, Queer, Sociology

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Nick]

A solid, if narrow-scope study of Lesbian and Bisexual women in the late '80s and early '90s in a university town in the south.

It's mostly (as the author acknowledges) a book rooted in her dissertation defense, and while there are some insightful (if harrowingly foreshadowing) insights about Lesbian/Bisexual identity and its struggles to be simultaneously accepting of sub-groups or other groups which have suffered oppression, it's tragically myopic in its scope. Mostly, it's a product of the zeitgeist, and can be analyzed accordingly.

[Paula]

Amazing read. The book really gets into the feelings of women as they explore sexuality.

[Shima]

admittedly a product of its time, but a fascinating insight nonetheless.

[Julia w]

I picked up this book on a whim at a sale and I’m glad I did. As someone who is struggling with their sexual identity, having a resource of identity discussion was important to me. I was able to reflect a lot on how I felt, as I don’t typically have 43 lesbians/bisexuals (the amount interviews) around to discuss sexuality. I found this book interesting to read, especially in 2025– as reading their hopes for the future felt either successful or disappointing (more gay liberation, but more identity politics. Lesbians only wearing Birkenstocks, to everyone now adays. More expansive identity labels. but we do have a fascist government :(. )

overall it gave me more points to consider within myself. It felt like a good resource for those looking for insight

[Melissa]

Overall an interesting read that had a lot of insight and thoughtful analysis of the topic. My one criticism is that it is heavily skewed in the lesbian direction. The discussions of bisexuality tend to focus more on the negatives and how all bisexuals are considered traitors and unwelcome. While this is not entirely untrue, the author did little to discuss those who happened to be happy and well adjusted within their community. There are happy bisexuals out there, honest!

[Amanda]

This book rocks! The first part is this fantastically readable look at various models of the social construction of identity, then she explores tons of fieldwork...I can't put it down.

[KA]

Sort of like Sexual Fluidity, but earlier and with less science. More fun to read, though.