Identities and Identifications: Changes in Metropolitan Bisexual Men's Attitudes and Experiences

Abstract

Use policyThe full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. AbstractDrawing on 90 interviews with men who identify as bisexual from London, Los Angeles and New York, this article examines how bisexual men from three different age cohorts remember first experiencing bisexuality, how they sexually identify today, and how this is changing with younger groups of men. By using an innovative recruitment strategy, the majority of participants are not affiliated with bisexual community groups or counseling services. Thus, it provides insight into how bisexuals outside of these specific institutional settings feel about their sexual identities. Findings support Savin-Williams's (2005) contention that sexual identities are becoming less central to the lives of younger generations,

Reasons for Non-Disclosure of Sexual Orientation Among Behaviorally Bisexual Men: Non-Disclosure as Stigma Management

“…This differs from some of the past qualitative research which has suggested that identity issues are a major reason for non-disclosure among bisexual men (Baldwin et al, in press; McCormack et al, 2015; McLean, 2007; Wheeler, 2006). However, this difference may be attributable to some of this past research being largely focused on understanding issues of bisexual identity, rather than on reasons for non-disclosure.…”

“…However, other reasons for non-disclosure depart from those anticipated by stigma management theory. For example, consistent with the identity development perspective, some men have reported not disclosing because they do not identify as bisexual or are uncertain about their sexual identity (Baldwin et al, in press, McCormack, Wignall, & Anderson, 2015; Wheeler, 2006). Other studies have found that some behaviorally-bisexual men report they conceal their sexual orientation because they feel others have no right to know this personal information, even their female sexual partners if they consistently use condoms (Malebranche et al, 2010; Schrimshaw et al, 2014).…”

“…First, many of these studies did not seek to address reasons for non-disclosure, but rather examined related issues of identity formation (Baldwin et al, in press; McCormack, Wignall, & Anderson, 2015; Reback & Larkins, 2010), stigmatization (Severson et al, 2013; Dodge et al, 2012), or sexual health (Martinez et al, 2011; Wheeler, 2006). Others have briefly addressed non-disclosure as one of several topics (Benoit & Koken, 2012; Dodge, Jeffries, & Sandfort, 2008; Dodge et al, 2012; Malebranche et al, 2010), and therefore the depth of discussion on disclosure is limited.…”

Exploring the Sexual Development Experiences of Black Bisexual Male Adolescents Over Time

“…Some youth described using the bisexual category as the best option to describe their sexual attractions and behaviors accounting for incongruence they were experiencing. Prior work has found similar occurrences among young men (McCormack et al, 2015). Others described being less defined by their sexuality, but all described interpersonal pressure to conform to commonly held belief in dichotomous sexuality (e.g., gay or straight) and traditional masculine role expectations (e.g., produce children with a wife).…”

“…This ranges from a “post-identity phase” where categories do not resonate with youth, to needing a bisexual category as the best option to describe their sexual desires without stating one’s own affiliation (McCormack, Wignall, & Anderson, 2015). Others have suggested that Latino and Black gay-identified youth describe awareness of same-sex attractions through fantasies, “crushes,” emotional attachments or arousal toward other males (Jamil et al, 2009).…”