Studies indicate that 25 percent of lesbians have experienced job discrimination based on their sexual-orientation, and over 60 percent anticipate possible negative consequences in the work place. The military, in particular, has been notorious in its discriminatory policies towards lesbians and gays. Aging lesbians experience discrimination from both the larger society as well as from within the lesbian community. A lesbian senior citizen may be denied access to retirement centers or nursing homes because of her sexual orientation. Younger lesbians sometimes internalize ageist attitudes from the wider society which lead them to marginalize their older counterparts.
Some studies suggest that lesbian couples have sex less often than heterosexual or gay men.
Most lesbians who desire to have children undergo artificial insemination, but some have turned to in vitro fertilization or adoption. Children born into lesbian families may have one, two, three or more parents. All of these individuals may not reside together, but still consider themselves to be family members.