Much research has examined pathological attributes of lesbians. This qualitative inquiry focused on strengths and non-pathological behaviors exhibited by lesbian youth in the face of homophobia and adversity. Focus group interviews were utilized to gather data from 22 adult lesbians who live in the New Orleans metropolitan area. The analysis shows that those lesbian youth who were better adept at coping and manifested a resilient self had viable social support systems, demonstrated healthy constitutional factors, perceived benefit from adversity, and had self-labeled and self-disclosed
