Making the Invisible Visible: Experiences of Identity (In)Visibility in Bi + Sexual Individuals in Germany

Abstract

Bi + sexual individuals are sexually and/or romantically attracted to more than one gender. They encounter various forms of discrimination, such as identity invisibility. Little is known about how bi + invisibility is experienced and what strategies are used to deal with it. Drawing on the minority stress model, this quantitative study explored these processes in a sample of 532 self-identified bi + adults living in Germany. A significant percentage reported generally feeling visible “never” (7.5%), “rarely” (53.2%) or only “sometimes” (33.6%). Invisibility was felt in queer and heterosexual communities. Participants older than age 30 felt less visible than younger participants. A substantial majority (71.3%) desired increased visibility “always” or “often.” To this end, bi + individuals made use of a range of visibility-strategies, primarily (in-)direct communication, but also community engagement, public behavioral or gender-based visual displays. The findings emphasize the importance of supporting bi + visibility, shedding light on the challenges faced by non-monosexual individuals.