The construction of an identity among lesbian women during 1950-­‐1965 is in focus in this master ́s thesis. My starting point is that identity, such as lesbian or any other identity, is formed in relation to other people and groups, as well as society. This thesis will also examine how lesbian women met and formed bonds with like-­minded, and whether these aspects changed, during the defined time period. The empirics is made up by letters written by women to Riksförbundet för sexuellt likaberättigande (a Swedish organisation for lesbian and gays) as well as an interview with two lesbian women who were born in 1938 and 1940. The theoretical approach is queer theory and phenomenology.

In summary: I have found that women in this study to a great extent formed their identity in relation to prevailing scientific ideas that claimed to explicate homosexuality. Disappointments in marriage and personal failures were stressed by the women writers in order to explain their lesbian desires. Some of them also put equal weight on the relationship between a high sexual drive/nymphomania and homosexuality.

Among many lesbians outside Stockholm in the 1950’s personal ads played a major role in order for them to meet with like-­minded women. The women in this study travelled long distances with the aim to visit pen friends in other parts of Sweden. Through those penfriends they were also introduced to other lesbian women, showing how lesbian networks emerged and grew.