Providing Career Counseling to Lesbian Women.

The literature on career counseling and lesbian women was reviewed resulting in the identification of 10 maxims regarding providing career counseling to lesbian women. The maxims are as follows: (1) sexual orientation is essential information when providing career counseling; (2) it is important that the workplace be lesbian-affirming; (3) lesbian women have nothing to protect them from discrimination on the job; (4) potential violence must be discussed; (5) ongoing career counseling needs to be considered for the lesbian woman's career planning; (6) there are several positive aspects to a lesbian being "out" on the job; (7) there are several negative aspects to a lesbian being "out" on the job; (8) not all lesbians fit into the stereotypical careers of lesbian women; (9) geography may be crucial; and (10) if a lesbian is partnered, couples counseling needs to be considered. Each of these maxims was discussed in detail. The discussion of the maxim regarding lesbian women's ongoing career counseling needs was accompanied by tables listing 20 colleges in 12 states that have been identified as being accepting of the gay community and 20 colleges in 15 states that have been identified as being against the expression of alternative lifestyles. (Contains 17 references.) (MN)