Lesbian Feminist Theory and Criticism

Lesbian feminist theory developed as a response both to the heterosexism of mainstream culture and radical subcultures and to the sexism of the male-dominated Gay Liberation movement. It concentrates on the interrelationship between gender and sexual oppression. In particular,

            lesbian feminist theory has consistently problematised heterosexuality as an institution central to the maintenance of patriarchy and women’s oppression with it. Lesbian feminist theory makes use of many other theories and methods. While it cannot be reduced to a single model several features are prominent:

1.    a critique of “compulsory heterosexuality”,
2.    an emphasis on “woman identification”
3.    the creation of an alternative women’s community.
           

         Whether taking a black feminist, a radical feminist or a psychoanalytic approach, lesbian feminist theory foregrounds all of these elements. Gayle Rubin introduced the concept of “compulsory heterosexuality” which later received wide circulation in the essay “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence” (1980) by Adrienne Rich. The concept challenges the common sense view

of heterosexuality as natural and therefore requiring no explanation. Unlike lesbian and gay sexuality Rich argues that heterosexuality is a social institution supported by a range of powerful sanctions. According to Rich the source of lesbianism is in the fact that girl children are of women born and have an original same sex attachment to their mothers

Monique Wittig’s analogous concept of “the straight mind” views heterosexuality as an ideological construct which is almost taken for granted yet institutes an obligatory social relationship between men and women. The discourses of heterosexuality work to oppress all deviants, particularly lesbians.