The perks of being bi+: Positive sexual orientation–related experiences among bisexual, pansexual, and queer male youth.

Abstract

Previous research on sexual minority health has largely focused on negative experiences related to one's sexual orientation, with limited attention to the ways in which being a sexual minority can contribute to positive experiences. This is especially true of bisexual, pansexual, and queer (biϩ) male youth, whose experiences have not been represented in the literature. To address these gaps, the goal of the current study was to characterize positive experiences related to one's sexual orientation in a sample of 46 biϩ male youth (ages 14 -17) who were interviewed as part of a larger study. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Almost all of the participants described at least one positive experience related to their biϩ identity. The positive experiences fell into six categories: (a) experiences with LGBTϩ people in general; (b) experiences with other biϩ people; (c) experiences in LGBTϩ environments; (d) experiences disclosing biϩ identities; (e) romantic and sexual experiences; and (f) experiences with allies. Participants described eight reasons for these experiences being positive: (a) feeling a sense of belonging in a community; (b) the normalization, acceptance, and visibility of one's identity or community; (c) providing or receiving support; (d) discussing shared experiences; (e) the promotion of authenticity;(f) celebrating one's identity or community; (g) experiencing personal growth; and (h) not feeling limited by gender when it came to romantic and sexual experiences. In sum, biϩ male youth report a range of positive experiences related to their sexual orientation, which may have important implications for promoting resilience and wellbeing. Public Significance StatementThis study advances our understanding of the range of positive experiences that bisexual, pansexual, and queer (biϩ) male youth have related to their sexual orientation. In addition, these findings suggest ways to better support biϩ male youth such as affirming their identities and helping to connect them to resources and community.

Social Support, Identity Affirmation, and Psychological Well-Being: A Developmental and Intersectional Comparison between Italian Cisgender and Non-Binary People with Bisexual Orientation

“…As noted earlier, identity affirmation is a critical dimension for LGBTQ+ people [ 60 ], and our findings appear to show this is the case across all developmental stages of life. However, as reported in previous studies [ 60 , 69 ] and explained earlier, identity affirmation is particularly crucial for people with less normative identities, such as non-binary individuals. This does not mean that identity affirmation is irrelevant for cisgender individuals, but cisgender people would likely benefit more from other types of positive identity dimensions, such as authenticity, self-awareness, freedom from social labels, personal growth, etc.…”

Psychometric assessment of a homophobia management scale among cisgender sexual minority men in midlife and older adulthood.

“…Additionally, overcoming shame related to one’s same-sex attractions, accepting one’s sexual orientation, and navigating how to disclose one’s sexual orientation may differ between SMM with monosexual and nonmonosexual orientations. These differences may inform the types of social support resources that SMM seek to overcome health consequences attributed to homophobic stigma (Gonzalez et al, 2017; Wang & Feinstein, 2022).…”

An examination of theory-based suicidal ideation risk factors in college students with multiple marginalized identities.

“…Emerging research has identified many benefits or resources derived from internalized group memberships, such as support, solidarity, and belonging (Muldoon et al, 2019). For example, many bisexual and other nonmonsexual (bisexual+) people report liking their sexual orientation because it allows them to freely love regardless of sex or gender, find community with other bisexual+ people, and engage in advocacy and activism, all of which increase the likelihood of positive identity formation and positive mental health outcomes (Flanders et al, 2017; Hagen et al, 2018; Harris et al, 2015; Wang & Feinstein, 2022). A majority of the sexual minority participants in our study identified as bisexual.…”