Opaque young lives: experiences of lesbian youth

This article highlights the central finding in lesbian literature that overwhelmingly lesbian youth live an isolated, marginalised life, often without the support of the family, school, or the wider community. The article includes a discussion of issues pertinent to the study of South African lesbian youth, and the responses of 11 Capetonian lesbian youths in interviews. Results in the study reveal difficulties lesbian youth experience because of feelings of isolation and marginalisation due to homophobic attitudes within the family, school and broader social context. Lesbian youth indicate that it is possible for them to cope and develop a positive lesbian identity through supportive friendships and certain self-esteem strategies. Such contexts afford lesbian youth resilience and allow a measure of comfort for the development of their identity. The article concludes with recommendations for further youth research.