Negotiating health care: The experiences of young lesbian and bisexual women

Abstract

An emerging body of research shows that lesbians and bisexual women face multiple barriers to health care and are in a vulnerable position when accessing care and interacting with health care providers. Young women's experiences have been only marginally researched, however. This article describes findings from a qualitative study that explored the health-related experiences of eight young lesbian and bisexual women ages 18-21 in San Francisco, California, USA, and focuses on how participants negotiated the health care interaction. The negotiations highlight (1) the agency exercised by these young women; (2) the impact of health care providers on young lesbian and bisexual women's access to and utilization of medical care; and (3) the ways the health care interaction reflects larger power dynamics in society.