Lobel, K (Ed.). Naming the Violence: Speaking Out About Lesbian Battering. by Kerry Lobel, Seal Press: Seattle, WA, 1986. The Publishers Weekly on Amazon’s website says this: “From Publishers Weekly Sponsored by the Lesbian Task Force of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, this book is “by and for battered lesbians and those who work to support their empowerment.” Contributors note that the topic is especiallydifficult for lesbians because, as Barbara Hart, an activist lawyer, states in the preface, lesbian battering “contradicts our belief in the inherent nonviolence of women,” and publicity about it “may enhance the arsenal of homophobes.” Lobel alternates personal histories with commentary by counselors, activists and others who offer advice on how to treat victims and how to deal with the problem generally. (They note the many parallels to man-woman battering cases.) The victims’ stories are wrenching: one battered woman has become so suspicious that when she sees an adult and several girls flying kites in a park (while she writes her contribution to this volume), she remarks only, “I hope that their relationship is as loving and playful as it looks.” This collection constitutes a challenge to lesbians who abuse their lovers and to those who tolerate such abuse.”
Women to Women Sexual Violence-Does She Call it Rape?, by L. Girshick, Northeastern University Press, 2002. The American Library Association’s review on Amazon’s webpage says: “Perhaps the most isolated crime victims are lesbian and bisexual survivors of woman-to-woman sexual violence. Multifaceted sexual-identity issues combine with shame and institutionalized heterosexism to make society unable to acknowledge such assaults. The legal system, women’s support services, and the lesbian community are just beginning to name such behaviors, let alone confronting and dealing with them. Women’s studies professor Girshick breaks new ground as she plumbs the experiences and thoughts of 70 women, gleaned from a nationwide U.S. survey and in-depth interviews. She documents the women’s responses to the violence, whether they received or were denied aid, and whether silence was imposed on them. Her insightful and provocative work well may stir controversy even as it sheds light on a previously shadowed subject. Dedicated to “those who are still silenced,” the book also powerfully explores the need for community and such preconceived notions and myths as lesbian utopia. A worthy addition to the sociology of violence in women’s lives”
No More Secrets: Violence in Lesbian Relationships. Amazon’s description: In No More Secrets: Violence in Lesbian Relationships, University of Manitoba women’s studies professor Janice Ristock presents one of the first studies of lesbian domestic violence. Basing her work on interviews with victims and social workers, she evaluates firsthand testimony, piecing together how and why lesbian relationships become violent and how the medical and criminal justice systems react when they do. The book concludes with suggestions for battered individuals and for wider community action.
Same Sex Domestic Violence: Strategies for Change, by B. Leventhal & S. Lundy, Ed., Corwin Press, 1999. Amazon’s description: This comprehensive resource book examines a broad range of issues that confront the victims of same-sex domestic violence and those who offer them services. Chapters include topics of practical concern, HIV, same-sex domestic violence, establishing safe-home networks for battered gay men, courtroom advocacy, coalition building and dating violence prevention.
Waking to Tears: Losing a Loved One to Violence by Traci Bieber Nelson “It is a compilation of stories from people across the globe who have lost a loved one to violence. One of the aspects of the book is that the author includes many different types of violence, including male victims.” (added 9/26/01) Note that purchasing using this link gives a 5% donation to SAFE, with additional cost to you.
Reclaiming Your Life: the Gay Man’s Guide to Love, Self-Acceptance, and Trust, by Rik Isensee. One reader on Amazon reviewed the book as so: “This book was formerly titled “Growing Up Gay in a Dysfunctional Family: a Guide for Gay Men Reclaiming Their Lives”. The author goes very indepth in describing the makeup of abusive, homophobic families and the impact it has on a gay child growing up. While I myself did not grow up in this type of environment, I still learned a great deal about my own reactions to outside homophobia and that for years I internalized it and developed negative thinking patterns about myself; etc. I thank the author for writing this book, not only for helping me identify problems I needed to work through, but for helping me realize how to develope the skills needed to self nurture and stop internalizing homophobia. Above all, this book is especially relevant to abuse survivors, it will definitely help you.”
