Lesbian-identified

Lesbian-identified is a term used to describe the perception of an individual that they are, in whole or in part, a lesbian.
Overview
Because of the diversity of experiences of individuals who self-identify as lesbian, the term encompasses a wide range of individual life histories, as well as genders. The term operates within a complex area of social interaction; in the fields of Sociology, gender studies and feminism, sexual identity, gender identity, gender role and sexual preference may be referred to under the catch-all term gender.
Sexual identity is a person's own sense of identification as a lesbian. However, self concept or self identity is also a process in which a person understands how others perceive them. To this extent, understanding sexual identity is to a certain extent dependent on interaction with others.
The term is a psychological association, and thus distinct from physiological and sociological aspects of gender.
Other identifications in conjunction with lesbian identification
See also: Gender identity, Gender role
There is evidence that sex differentiation of the brain may be inconsistent with other sex characteristics, resulting in individuals behaving in a way which is perceived by others as being outside cultural gender norms; these unusual gender expressions may be described as gender variant.
As well as female-bodied or transsexual women who are exclusively homosexual, the term lesbian-identified may encompass gynephile bisexual or pansexual trans women, or female-bodied bisexual or pansexual women, a group which includes some (but not all) and trans men of various sexual orientations.
Persons who are lesbian-identified and male-bodied, identify themselves as homosexual women who were born with a male body. They may or may not seek gender reassignment surgery.
The term may apply to male-bodied cross-dressers. However, this assessment is not widely used in the lesbian community.
Self-identification does not always equate to acceptance. Often bisexual and especially trans women have felt somewhat marginalized from some facets of the lesbian community. Other lesbian groups, however, have fully accepted and welcomed them. The inclusion of lesbian-identified trans men within lesbian communities is sometimes called into question, especially when lesbian-identified trans women are excluded, for the reason that this practice implies the trans men are seen as still just women, while the trans women are not seen as women. This is like saying that gender identities contrary to birth-assigned genders are not accepted as legitimate.
Psychology and social sciences
During the 1950s and '60s, psychologists began studying homosexuality. At the time, it was viewed as a mental disorder. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) removed homosexuality as a disorder from the Sexual Deviancy section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-II, in 1973.

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