Abstract
Lesbian, feminist, and psychoanalyst are three strong words unto themselves. An unlikely combination, but as this volume shows, when combined, result in voices with a unique perspective and interpretation of theory and behavior. Pairing psychoanalysis with lesbians or feminists often results in a seemingly paradoxical relationship to many, much like the pairing of religion with homosexuality. Seemingly contradictory identities join together in ways that can create new constructs and add to the dialogue about sameness and difference. This compendium represents the second wave, the first being Lesbians and Psychoanalysis, a larger more ambitious volume, co-edited by the authors in 1995. The introduction captures the importance of the continued influence that lesbians and feminists have had on psychoanalytic thought and practice. As analytic theory has moved to a more relational, two-person model from a more classical one-person, intrapsychic model, there has been more room for the ideas that lesbian and feminist psychologists and psychoanalysts bring to the table. This has often included the awareness and importance of recognizing the impact of oppression and minority status on the individual.
Glassgold and Iasenza introduce the book by acknowledging what an unfriendly bedfellow psychoanalysis has been to feminists and lesbians. The editors point to a second generation of lesbian analytic writers, less concerned with disproving older theories of the past, and focused on the future, articulating the experience of lesbians through a frequently feminist lens. A brief review identifies the shifts in psychoanalytic theory toward the end of the twentieth century and how this has facilitated the expansion of psychoanalytic constructions of sexual and gender differences without automatic pathologizing. The editors have assembled an eclectic choice of articles, some with more personal accounts of living as a closeted lesbian psychoanalyst in the 1970s and 1980s. Other articles elaborate on issues of clinical relevance for a lesbian client–lesbian therapist dyad.
The edition begins with the “Community and History” section, with Iasenza conducting an interview with three New York City lesbian analysts who became involved in the analytic community in the 1970s, shortly after the American Psychological Association depathologized homosexuality. Decker offers an intimate window into her experience of reading Mitchell's (1978) article on homosexuality, which was a nonpathologizing breath of fresh air to those closeted within homophobic institutes. The names and accounts will likely have more meaning to those in the New York City metropolitan area; however, both articles reflect a steadfast determination by lesbians and feminists in the late 1970s and early 1980s to elbow their way into institutions that, until recently, had “Keep Out” signs hung on their doors. The articles by Gair and Greene both speak to the importance of creating communities that can offer support and validation to marginalized and invisible populations. Greene focused on race and subjective cultural positioning and their importance vis-à-vis analytic thinking about transference and countertransference. All of these chapters are written by lesbian feminist women who clearly articulate what drew them to psychoanalysis in spite of the theory's denigrating, hostile stance toward homosexuality. They cite their own experience in treatment and the benefits they reaped from the analytic process as the inspiration to participate in a system that was quite homophobic. Several authors point out that Freud did not necessarily view homosexuality as a pathological problem that automatically led to dysfunction.
In the “Ongoing Clinical Issues” section, general themes are addressed. Nielsen gives attention to issues of domestic violence in lesbian relationships, a subject that has received scant consideration in the analytic literature. She confronts issues and beliefs about women that contradict some feminist assumptions and force her to confront and accept uncomfortable and shameful feelings in her patients and herself. Bjork, Igartua, and des Rosiers explore self-disclosure, transference, and countertransference from a lesbian feminist psychoanalytic stance. Zevy writes a relevant essay on tomboys and butch identity that offers an important rebuttal to Harris's (2000) views on tomboys. Zevy points out that Harris offers an understanding of heterosexual tomboy identity, but misses many important aspects of tomboys whose evolutionary development results in a butch lesbian identity. She articulates what Harris seems unable to see, that heterosexual tomboys have the protection of gender appropriate attractions that soften atypical gender behaviors in a manner that is unavailable to the lesbian butch. These authors delve into critical examinations of constructs particular to lesbian–lesbian therapy dyads without feeling the need to debunk the history of homophobic theory. A claim is staked with a new-found sense of legitimacy, as a body of work accumulates and creates a new history for an often invisible minority.
The final section, “New Thinking on Sexuality and Gender,” advances psychoanalytic thinking regarding unconventional sexual and gender paradigms. This is an area in which gay and lesbian writers and practitioners have something very special to offer current psychoanalytic theorizing. The expansion of the conceptualization of psychoanalytic constructions beyond Classical Freudian theory allows for a more inclusive perspective on the multiplicity of identity. Kassoff and Roth examined expressions of power and identity in lesbian culture from different perspectives. Kassoff did so from a more clinical framework and Roth through a postmodern, Lacanian analysis. Both authors conveyed a concern regarding the inadequacy of language in the exploration of both lesbian and feminist identities and expose language's insufficiency in expressing nondominant experiences of gender and sexuality. Along these lines, Kiersky eloquently reflected on the intersubjective constructions of gender and sexuality and the need for language that captures the complex experiential and emotional aspects of our clients' internal worlds. The importance of accurate language to capture, reflect, and express one's inner emotional life is vital to successfully working with lesbians.
Glassgold and Iasenza have assembled a very readable and informative volume that feels particularly relevant given the shifting sociocultural landscape in the United States. Although the individual chapters are quite different, collectively, they give voice to life on the nondominant edge of existence. There is little defensive rhetoric or posturing; rather, a refreshing and healthy right to speak from a lesbian, feminist, and psychoanalytic perspective is provided. As someone who began her studies just as the body of literature written by and about gays and lesbians began to develop, I feel I have an interesting perspective on this collective voice, have grown alongside it, and have consumed the literature as quickly as it appeared. The breadth and variety of articles speak to the next generation writing about and adding to the theories that allow us to understand G/L/B/T/Q experiences in the world. In fact, it was almost startling to read Decker's reaction to Mitchell's (1978) article; when I came across it in the mid 1990s, it struck me as somewhat homophobic for an article attempting reconciliation. I now understand its relevant importance in both time and place and can see how far psychoanalytic thinkers have come since 1978. One limitation of the volume is that issues of race and class could have received more attention in this attempt to join the reality of a lesbian feminist perspective with psychoanalysis. Overall, however, Lesbians, Feminism, and Psychoanalysis is relevant to anyone interested in current psychoanalytic thinking and how some lesbian, feminist practitioners apply its principles in their work with lesbian clients.