Bisexual Women's Experiences with Binegativity in Romantic Relationships

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe current study examines bisexual women's experiences with binegativity in romantic relationships, particularly how they relate to the gender and sexuality of their partners, and how these experiences affect how they pursue and perceive relationships. Interviews were conducted with 10 self-identified bisexual women, age 19 to 24, living in the Northeast United States. Qualitative analysis of in-depth interview data revealed that bisexual women face varied forms of binegativity, including invalidation and stereotypes from straight men and lesbian women. Specifically, bisexual women face significant and pervasive hypersexualization from straight men in the form of increased interest, requests for threesomes, and inquiries about their sexual history. These negative experiences affect how bisexual women pursue and navigate relationships, such as employing screening processes to avoid negativity and expressing fear about revealing their sexual identity to partners. Thus, despite increasing visibility of bisexuality, there is still a lack of acceptance and understanding in the gay and lesbian, and straight communities, directly affecting the lives of bisexual women.