Being Recognized, Accepted, and Affirmed: Self-Disclosure of Lesbian/Queer Sexuality Within Psychiatric and Mental Health Service Settings

This article explores the relationship between self-disclosure of lesbian/queer (LQ) sexuality and well-being and recovery as described by women who either identify as consumer/survivors of psychiatric and mental health services and/or who work as mental health service providers within hospital- and community-based psychiatric and mental health service settings. I explore the relationship between self-disclosure and well-being and recovery by examining three points that frame women's ideas and experiences of self-disclosure including: (a) The negation and dismissal of lesbian/queer sexuality as an identity, (b) the closing off or compartmentalizing of concerns by lesbian/queer women, and (c) sexuality as a potential source of stress and/or support for lesbian/queer women.