Experiences of Young Bisexual Women in Lesbian/Bisexual Groups on MySpace

Abstract

This exploratory study examined Topic threads in Lesbian/BisexualGroups on MySpace to examine how young biwomen self-identify in online exchanges with other bisexuals and lesbians, as well as what attitudes and beliefs about bisexuality emerge from those exchanges. Four Topic threads from three Groups suggested that young biwomen use social networking sites to connect with others and create inclusive communities for biyouth. Although acceptance of bisexuality was strongly endorsed by many, they were sometimes met with antagonism from their lesbian peers. Together with lesbian allies, they were able to challenge such prejudice but remain keenly aware of its existence.

“I can't quite be myself”: Bisexual-specific minority stress within LGBTQ campus spaces.

“…Participants also identified proximal bisexual-specific stressors, demonstrating hypervigilance in compartmentalizing parts of their lives, particularly their relationships, in order to stay involved in LGBTQ campus spaces (Balsam & Mohr, 2007; McLean, 2008a; Sarno & Wright, 2013). Participants also reported intentionally identifying as an identity other than bisexual (Hartman, 2006; Lingel, 2009; Sarno & Wright, 2013); not challenging assumptions when falsely identified as gay, lesbian, or straight (e.g., McLean, 2008b; Rothblum, 2010); or concealing aspects of their bisexual identities that are perceived to conform to heteronormativity (Crowley, 2010; Klein & Dudley, 2014). As a result of bisexual-specific stress, many participants limited their participation or even disengaged from their advocacy work within LGBTQ campus spaces (Balsam & Mohr, 2007; McLean, 2008b).…”

“…Experiencing bisexual-specific discrimination and microaggressions within LGBTQ spaces can result in hypervigilance, causing bisexual people to act differently in efforts to shield themselves from bisexual-specific stressors (Balsam & Mohr, 2007; McLean, 2008a; Sarno & Wright, 2013), which can result in bisexual identity concealment. For example, scholars have found that many bisexual women in particular struggle to openly identify as bisexual (Balsam & Mohr, 2007; Burleson, 2012; Duca, 1991; McLean, 2008a) and as a result conceal their bisexuality by falsely claiming a lesbian identity (Lingel, 2009; Sarno & Wright, 2013; Udis-Kessler, 1995), not speaking up when falsely identified as a lesbian by others (McLean, 2008b; Rothblum, 2010), or choosing to refrain from labels at all (Crowley, 2010). Scholars note the negative impacts of identity concealment, including a fragmented sense of sexuality (Sarno & Wright, 2013), identity confusion (Pachankis & Goldfried, 2004), difficulty accepting their bisexual identity (McLean, 2008a), internalizing binegative stereotypes (Rust, 1995), and feelings of guilt and shame (McLean, 2008b).…”

A corpus-based study of LGBT-related news discourse in Thailand’s and international English-language newspapers

“…Research has found that the bisexualspecific mental, physical and sexual health concerns raised in this report are especially pertinent when it comes to bisexual youth 155 . This means that there is a need for bisexualspecific youth research and health promotion resources, in addition to more inclusive policies and practices, to address the bisexual invisibility and biphobia that are present for these groups 156 . Research in the US suggests that improved bisexual access to LGBT groups in schools would be an ideal way to support bisexual young people 157 .…”

‘A Real Lesbian Wouldn't Touch a Bisexual With a Bargepole'

“…Baker, 2008;Welzer-Lang, 2008), as well as online (e.g. Crowley, 2010). Discourses stemming directly from the fears and stereotypes of three decades ago were found: bisexuals as carriers of disease, as compromised homosexuals, as promiscuous, as scandalous, and as indecisive and untrustworthy.…”