Invisibility and involvement: LGBTQ community connections among plurisexual women during pregnancy and postpartum.

Abstract

Little research has examined the experiences of plurisexual women (i.e., those with attractions to more than one gender) during the transition to parenthood, despite the fact that many plurisexual women intend to become parents. Further, no research has specifically explored plurisexual mothers' LGBTQ community connections, although many studies highlight the importance of social support for (a) sexual minority individuals and (b) mothers. The current study investigated LGBTQ community connection among 29 plurisexual women with different-gender partners during the perinatal period. Participants completed interviews once during late pregnancy, and three times in the year after giving birth. Thematic analysis of the interview data explored how participants conceptualized community, finding that women varied in their level of and desire for engagement in both LGBTQ and parenting communities. Participants' accounts suggested that various barriers restricted their involvement (e.g., practical barriers such as time constraints, community-level barriers such as perceived rejection from LGBTQ communities, and psychological factors such as internalized stigma). At the same time, several women identified LGBTQ others as sources of support during the transition to parenthood, and many expressed a desire for their children to be connected to LGBTQ communities. Findings have implications for how researchers conceptualize community, provide insight into the disconnection between plurisexual women and LGBTQ communities, and suggest possibilities to increase LGBTQ community accessibility during this period.

Social Support in the Transition to Parenthood Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons: A Systematic Review

“…Nevertheless, some participants reported worse reactions from lesbian and gay friends than from heterosexual friends, which is in line with the stereotype that being LGB is not reconcilable with being a parent is still prevalent in the LGBT community (Brown et al, 2009;Gianino, 2008;Manley et al, 2018;Ross et al, 2005).…”

“…Five of the 22 papers were normative comparative studies and, therefore also included heterosexual persons (Crawshaw & Montuschi, 2014;Goldberg & Smith, 2008a;Goldberg & Smith, 2014;Lavner et al, 2014). Nine of the studies focused on female samples (Chabot & Ames, 2004;DeMino et al, 2007;Dunne, 2000;Goldberg, 2006a;Goldberg, 2006b;Goldberg & Smith, 2008b;Manley et al, 2018;Ross et al, 2005), six on male samples (Brinamen & Mitchell, 2008;Gianino, 2008;Goldberg et al, 2012;Perrin et al, 2016;Tornello & Patterson, 2015;Wells, 2011); one of them also included transgender persons (Klittmark et al, 2019); and the remainder included males and females (Brown et al, 2009;Crawshaw, & Montuschi, 2014;Goldberg & Smith, 2011;Lavner et al, 2014). Considering a total of 2081 participants, across the 22 papers, 834 persons defined themselves as lesbian women, 1197 as gay men, 30 as bisexual individuals, and 20 as plurisexual, queer, or pansexual.…”

“…In the case of heterosexual friends, some lesbian and gay participants reported that some of this support network detached, namely, those who argued that they could accept their sexual orientation, but that parenting was beyond their "tolerance" threshold (Brown et al, 2009). Some studies suggest that LGB friends were perceived as more open-minded than heterosexual friends about some childcare topics (e.g., breastfeeding) thus enhancing the well-being of first-time plurisexual mothers (Manley et al, 2018). In this regard, gay and lesbian parents saw other…”

“…In several reviewed studies, the LGBT community was mentioned as an important and positive source of support (Brinanen & Mitchell, 2008;Chabot & Ames, 2004;Crawshaw & Montuschi, 2014;Dunne, 2000;Manley et al, 2018;Ross et al, 2005;Wells, 2011). In this regard, support groups that included other LGB parents were mentioned as a great help (Brinanen & Mitchel, 2008;Chabot & Ames, 2004;Crawshaw & Montuschi, 2014;Dunne, 2000;Manley et al, 2018;Ross et al, 2005;Wells, 2011).…”

Mothers’ Sexual Identity and Children’s Health

“…However, what is known from the health literature suggests mostly heterosexual and bisexual women are more likely to report multiple health risk behaviors than either lesbian or heterosexual women (Bostwick, 2012;Bostwick et al, 2015;Vrangalova & Savin-Williams, 2014). Moreover, mostly heterosexual and bisexual women may experience social isolation from other LGB community support systems prior to, during, and after pregnancy, limiting their ability to access important social resources that may improve both their own health and the health of their children (Goldberg et al, 2019;Manley et al, 2018). Mostly heterosexual and bisexual women may also be more likely to have male pregnancy partners or be in relationships with men while they raise children compared to lesbian women.…”