A study of lesbian lifestyles in the homosexual micro-culture and the heterosexual macro-culture.

Ninety-one lesbians were surveyed in an effort to determine how homosexual women function within the heterosexual macro-culture and the homosexual micro-culture. Those sampled tended to be young, white, urban, and well-educated professionals. By exploring four major categories (demographics, lesbian lifestyles/homosexual culture, social relationships, and participation in the heterosexual culture) it was found that respondents felt isolated from the heterosexual macro-culture and turn to the homosexual micro-culture for friends, emotional support, and social interaction. It was also discovered that while lesbians do feel isolated from the majority of society, they function productively in a dual role within their general environment.