Narrative considerations on the affective-sexual experiences among lesbians and their relationships with the myths and stereotypes regarding lesbianity

• Grant number: 06/05305-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2008
• End date: February 28, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Social Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Silva Teixeira Filho
• Grantee: Lívia Gonsalves Toledo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project refers to a study on how myths and stereotypes regarding lesbianity pass the life, in the sphere of sexuality, of women who call themselves as lesbians. In a macho and heteronormative social context, historically constructed, women who related erotically to other women had remained invisible. It might have made possible the perpetuation of mythical discourses and/or imaginary realities about these women. Women were, and are commonly thought from the point of view of men. Then, it makes more difficult to accept the feminine sexuality without the presence of the man. For this research, first, by a historical investigation, we will make a study of the existence and construction of myths and stereotypes regarding lesbianity. After this, from the knowledge of the reality of this population, we will try to perceive how these women speech about these myths and stereotypes - however taking them as truths, or rejecting them as a norm - in the construction of their gender identities. Then, we intended to know, inside of a current regional reality, the passes and possible crystallizations of some myths and stereotypes of lesbianity in the subjectivity of lesbian women, especially in relation to the affective-sexual experience. The scope will be the region in the city of Assis which is located in the interior of the Estate of São Paulo. The data will be collected through semi-structured interviews. We believe that scientific information about the existential reality of this population will make possible psycho-social problematizations that can contribute for the production of quality of life to people who are moved by universal perspectives of myths and stereotypes, the creation of public politics and consistent care of these people's health that, due to the stigmatization, are vulnerable to physical, psychological suffering and social exclusion.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

TOLEDO, Lívia Gonsalves. Estigmas e estereótipos sobre as lesbianidades e suas influências nas narrativas de histórias de vida de lésbicas residentes em uma cidade do interior paulista. 2008. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências e Letras. Assis Assis.