This study explores lesbians' relationships with their sisters. THE helped the author find participants for this study, which is part of Laura Fitzpatrick's thesis for her master's degree in Women's Studies at Memorial University. As of May 2002 this thesis was not yet catalogued at Memorial University, but will be available in the university's Centre for Newfoundland Studies.
Have you ever thought about the similarities and differences in gender/sexual expressions between you and your sister(s)? Have you ever thought about if these similarities and differences influence your relationship as sisters? Have you ever thought about the meaning of sisterhood in your life? The aim of this study posed these questions to lesbians through conversational interviews.
The aim of the interviews was to explore the past and present aspects of lesbians' lives where gender/sexuality and their sister relationships have connected. There is no list of predetermined questions because women's experiences are diverse. Lesbians themselves are determining the specific content of their interviews. Some topics of conversation have included: coming out, gender expression, dating, sex, body image, partnership/marriage, separation/divorce, "in-law" relationships, health, pregnancy, raising children, abuse issues.