cover image Invisible Lives: The Truth about Millions of Women-Loving Women

Invisible Lives: The Truth about Millions of Women-Loving Women

Martha Barron Barrett. William Morrow & Company, $19.95 (349pp) ISBN 978-0-688-07730-3

To challenge the common stereotype of lesbians, and to combat the hostility, prejudice and ignorance which condemns millions of women to conceal their true sexual nature, Barrett ( Maggie's Way ) interviewed lesbians across the country. Of all ages, professions, economic, social and educational backgrounds, these women reveal a wide variety of relationships, many of which include male lovers and husbands. While pointing up differences between homosexual and heterosexual love, the author displays particular empathy for her subjects in regard to their rights to have and raise children. Lesbians, stresses Barrett, identify with feminism insofar as it represents the rights of all women, lesbians included, and for the solidarity it provides with the gay liberation and other civil rights movements. Photos not seen by PW. (Aug.)