Minority Stress in the Context of Rural Economic Hardship: One Lesbian Mother's Story

In this article, we use case study methodology to provide a detailed description of the life of Lucy, a single, lesbian mother living in a rural community on a low income. Using the lens of stigma and minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003), we highlight the ways in which sexual-minority stress interacts with other life stressors, and analyze how they affect health and well-being. Four main themes emerged to describe Lucy's understanding of these stress processes: the intersection of her identities as a local, lesbian mother; the portability or mobility of these identities; conflicting messages of support and hostility; and the permanent or transitory nature of her stress. We contribute to the literature by examining the tenets of Meyer's original minority stress model and extending its theoretical applications.