Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief

Description

The unseen issues of grief and discrimination—lesbians becoming widows The death of a life partner poses unique challenges for lesbians. Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief reveals the touching and very personal stories of twenty-five women, including the author, who were widowed at a young age and forced to create a new life without their life partners. The book follows the widows from the... Read more

The unseen issues of grief and discrimination—lesbians becoming widows

The death of a life partner poses unique challenges for lesbians. Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief reveals the touching and very personal stories of twenty-five women, including the author, who were widowed at a young age and forced to create a new life without their life partners. The book follows the widows from the time the couple met, to the time when one of the partners died, and beyond, to show how the surviving partner coped with her loss.

Many lesbians feel that the intimacy felt between two women in love goes deeper than what can be experienced by heterosexual partners. Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief reveals themes common to all these women’s experiences while offering practical advice about coping techniques and resources for support. The widows discuss their efforts to create funerals and memorial services, give their accounts of the overwhelming grief throughout the first two years, and explain the legal and financial discrimination they encountered. The author provides a chapter specifically for caring family and friends, another chapter for professionals working with this sensitive population, and a bibliography of helpful coping resources.

Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief explores the topics of:

caregivers/caretaking
death and dying
grief journeys
the similarities and differences between lesbian and married widows
the lack of support services for lesbian widows
the legal and financial discrimination against lesbian widows
the effect of being “in” or “out” on grief recovery
the issues faced by widows in starting new relationships
spirituality
gay marriage

Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief provides an insightful look into the grieving and recovery process, inspiring hope with the knowledge that others have survived this tragedy. This moving book is an essential resource for lesbians, friends and family of lesbians, mental health professionals, medical professionals, psychiatrists, LGBT health providers, feminist and lesbian organizations, and anyone involved with grief training programs such as hospice. Read less

Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Introduction
The Decision to Write
Book Participants
Writing from Experience
Lesbian Relationships
Chapter 2. Shock and Denial
Ellen and Kate
Janet and Chris
Anita and Holly
Cassie and Fran
Shirley and Terry
Which Is Worse?
Chapter 3. Terminal Illness and Disbelief
Anna Marie and Caroline
Vera and Nancy
Joy and Barbara
Traci and Dana
Marilyn and Cheryl
Samantha and Marie
Chapter 4. Long-Term Illness
Heather and Ruth
Dale and Carol
Pam and Sandy
Maureen and Robin
Rose and Steph
Nora and Anne
Pat and Betty
Chapter 5. The Caretaker Role
Donna and Randi
A Change of Roles
The Support of Friends
Lois and Joan
Beverly and Virginia
Jane and Lynn
Irene and MJ
Linda and Tonya
Examples of Support
Examples of Isolation
Chapter 6. Parting Moments
The Presence of Death
A Spiritual Experience
Saying Good-Bye
Memories and Laughter
A Sense of Intimacy
The Relationship Not Recognized
The Painful Reality
Chapter 7. Funerals and Memorial Services
Feeling Invisible
Hurt by Lesbians
Open Support
Religious and Nonreligious Services
Rites of Passage
Chapter 8. Grief Work
The Pain of Grief Work
Health
Feeling Her Presence
Home
Ways of Escape
Coming Out
Chapter 9. Comfort and Support
Friends
Family Support
Online Support
Therapy
Other Sources of Comfort
Chapter 10. Complications
Legal Discrimination
Support Groups
Written Materials
Disenfranchised Grief
Chapter 11. The First Two Years
The First Year
The Second Year
Chapter 12. Loving Again
Problems Experienced
Myths About Grief
Still Single
Chapter 13. Grief over Time
Grief in the First Two Years
Around Three Years
Four to Seven Years
After Ten Years
The Gift in the Grieving
Chapter 14. For Friends and Family
Grief Takes Time
Accept the Relationship
Avoid Clichés
What Does Not Help
How Friends Can Help
Get the Help You Need
Chapter 15. For Professionals
Grief Models
The Lesbian Community
The Need for More Resources
Appendix A. The Lesbian Widows
Appendix B. Resources
Bibliography
Index
Reference Notes Included

Author(s)

Biography

Whipple, Victoria

Lesbian Widows Invisible Grief

Description

Table of Contents

Author(s)

Biography

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