The lesbian as a "single" woman.

This paper has attempted to provide information about the unique conflicts which social definitions of the "single" woman create for the lesbian woman. It has explored the stereotypes associated with being a single woman which the closeted lesbian inevitably encounters. The risks and benefits of rejecting the label "single woman" and publicly proclaiming one's lesbianism have also been discussed. The process of coming out is presented as a means of working through some of the conflicts created by social discrimination against lesbians. It is important for psychiatrists to understand the unique stresses of being a lesbian in contemporary society in order to provide more effective mental health care.