Zest for Life
Zest for Life draws on lesbians’ experiences of menopause to highlight how lesbians, particularly at midlife, are invisibilised in society at large. Many writers and researchers have critically analysed the medical construction of menopause, yet even they fail to ask whether the issues are the same for lesbians. Zest for Life includes the voices of lesbians who tell us that despite lesbian invisibility and homophobia, many are resisting current standards that exclude them. The experiences of these women challenge negative, stereotypical views of menopause and add a new positive dimension to the presently narrow and medicalised view of women at midlife. An important uplifting book both for lesbians and heterosexual women as well as health professionals which shows that menopause need not be a time of despair.
2005 | ISBN 9781876756468 | Paperback | 200 x 130 mm | 235 pp
Awards
2006 Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, USA
Reviews
'Zest for Life is a major contribution to research on lesbian health.'
—Margaret Cruikshank, Off Our Backs
‘This is a lesbian-centred book that will enlighten lesbians and health care providers. It highlights lesbians’ specific health care challenges, while revealing refreshing positive perspectives during menopause, including the importance of fitness, supportive and empathic intimate relationships, and holistic approaches to health and wellbeing.’
—Dr Ruth McNair, The University of Melbourne
‘Jennifer Kelly has written exactly what many of us have been waiting for: a book that makes mid-life lesbians’ experiences of menopause visible and central.’
—Professor Mariamne Whatley, University of Wisconsin-Madison
‘This book should be required reading for Women’s Studies and Women’s Health students everywhere.’
—Professor Suzanne L. Dibble, University of California