Structural and Interpersonal Impact of Heterosexual Assumptions on Lesbian Health Care Clients

In this feminist narrative study using in-depth interviews and focus groups, a racially and economically diverse sample of 45 lesbians described their access to and experience with health care. The multistaged narrative analysis revealed structural and interpersonal conditions uniquely faced by lesbians in obtaining health care services. At the macrolevel, heterosexist structuring of health care delivery was obstructive to lesbians' health care seeking, health knowledge, and health behaviors. At the micro, or individual level, health care providers' heterosexual assumptions competed against potentially supportive interactions with lesbian clients.