ABSTRACT
The mental health of lesbian women is shaped by the unique intersection of violence across the lifespan with the trauma of living in a heterosexist society. I argue that living within the heterosexist culture of the United States constitutes a form of trauma which is rarely considered when examining the mental health of lesbian women. Heterosexism is manifested at both individual and cultural levels. I discuss how the traumatic context created by heterosexism fosters the development of internalized homophobia and shapes the mental health of lesbian women. We must recognize that lesbians are not a homogenous group; there are significant within-group differences based on such factors as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age. These differences result in interlocking oppressions that influence mental health.
