Lesbian families are marginalized in contemporary society. Yet, shifting social mores and recent policy changes enable some lesbian couples to adopt children as a couple. Research is lacking about these unique families. The qualitative study presented here extends knowledge about lesbian couples’ internal and social experiences as they become adoptive parents. The findings indicate that these couples face unique challenges to internally held identities and in social relationships. They use, often simultaneously, normalizing and resisting strategies to address the challenges they face.

The social work profession, in its efforts to maintain legitimacy and secure its status in the marketplace, perpetuates heteronormative customs that support the suppression of its own lesbian presence. This article describes some of the traditions that have marginalized groups, particularly lesbians, within the profession and calls for a revision of these practices. Recommendations emphasize broadening the theoretical base of the curriculum of professional studies as early as the undergraduate level.

This article critically explores how feminist theories continue to affect development paradigms and discourses by focusing on women’s experiences in microcredit programs. It locates the ideological roots of key concepts in development theories and feminist thinking about women’s role in development and improving women’s status. Over the past three decades, feminist theories and perspectives have influenced the debates on development across disciplines.

The Urban Studio was initially planned to enhance the pedagogy and curriculum of students in the Department of Interior Architecture through the design and construction of a home for a needy family. This project grew to include faculty and students from the Department of Social Work when the need for a psychosocial perspective was identified. The project resulted in a discovery of the potential benefits of an interdisciplinary endeavor framed by a feminist perspective.