Episode 49: On the Social Position of Lesbians

Why are so many lesbian prone to conformity? As seen in the adoption of transgender identity by so many lesbians. But also, why is lesbianism sometimes associated with feminism? We discuss political lesbianism, lesbian invisibility, lesbophobia as a form of misogyny rather than strictly homophobia, lesbian experience as distinct from that of gay men, lesbians as a taboo within families, and the conflation between female friendship and lesbianism. Plus, the figure of the 'man hating dyke', lesbian's probably naivety about men compared with that of heterosexual women, the real or perceived ideological prejudice that at times prohibits lesbian's freedom of movement, lesbians being understood to be men or manlike, and Jen comments on her research in South Korea on the radical women's movement.