We're Here and We're Queer: Sexual Orientation and Sexual Fluidity Differences Between Bisexual and Queer Women

Abstract

Theorists and researchers have noted an overlap between bisexually-identified and queer-identified individuals. Whereas early definitions of bisexuality may have been predominantly binary (i.e., attracted to women and men), in recent years there has been a move toward a more “queer” understanding of bisexuality (e.g., attraction to more than one gender beyond female and male). The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences between bisexually-identified and queer-identified adult women, ages 18–66 years, on sociodemographic characteristic, two dimensions of sexual orientation (sexual behaviors and attractions), fluidity in attractions and sexual orientation identity, and identity centrality and affirmation in an online sample (N = 489), which was mostly from the United States (73.5%). Our results indicated that bisexual and queer women were similar in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, with the exception of education; queer women were more educated than bisexual women. Queer women were also more likely than bisexual women to report variability in their sexual behaviors and attractions and more fluidity in their sexual orientation identity. Additionally, queer women reported higher levels of identity centrality and affirmation than bisexual women. Considerations for sexual minority women’s health research are discussed.

Exploring the Q in LGBTQ: Demographic characteristic and sexuality of queer people in a U.S. representative sample of sexual minorities.

“…However, at the same time, bisexuals (the more typical plurisexual identity group) report worse SES than other sexual minorities, including lower educational attainment and higher rates of poverty, both in our sample, and in the broader literature (Mirza, 2018;Movement Advancement Project, BiNet USA, & Bisexual Resource Center, 2014). Mereish and colleagues (2017) further emphasize the queer-bisexual disparity, noting that queer women were similar in age to bisexual women in their community sample, yet were significantly more likely to have graduated college or obtained a graduate degree, though the two groups did not differ in employment status or income (Mereish et al, 2017). Taken together, findings suggest this association is more nuanced than simply a protective effect for plurisexual identities-it instead may only be for certain plurisexual identities.…”

“…First, given that sexual identities are often assessed (in survey research), and self-defined (among individuals) based on whether attractions are to the same, different, or multiple genders, relative to one's own gender (Galupo et al, 2018;Sexual Minority Assessment Research Team, 2009), one variable (gendered attraction patterns and the parallel gendered partnering pat-terns, described below) was included to assess this pattern among queer identified people, compared with other identities, and if this differed by respondent gender identity. In addition, separate variables for those attracted to women (and men) were constructed to assess differences in the gender identity (e.g., cisgender vs. transgender) of these attractions (and partners), following previous evidence that queer people may be more likely to be attracted to and/or partner with noncisgender people (Callis, 2014;Galupo, Ramirez, et al, 2017;Mereish et al, 2017;Morandini et al, 2017). Participants were asked, "How sexually attracted are you to the following types of people: Women, nontransgender; men, non-transgender; transgender women/male-to-female; transgender men/female-tomale?"…”

Perceived Discrimination, Coping Mechanisms, and Effects on Health in Bisexual and Other Non-Monosexual Adults

“…Among other measures reported elsewhere (Katz-Wise et al, 2017; Mereish et al, 2017a; Mereish et al, 2017b), participants were asked three open-ended questions at the end of the survey: (1) What are your experiences with discrimination? (2) What helps you cope with these experiences with discrimination?…”

“…Definitions of bisexuality have varied greatly in research. While some definitions require self-identification as bisexual in their criteria, bisexuality can also be defined based on other dimensions, including attractions to more than one gender or having sexual partners of more than one sex/gender (Mereish, Katz-Wise, & Woulfe, 2017a). Individuals’ stated sexual orientation identities are sometimes different from their attractions and partners (Herbenick et al, 2010b).…”

Intimate Partner Violence Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults Assigned Female at Birth

“…However, this difference was not observed in a sample of bisexual adolescent girls (Freedner et al, 2002), indicating the need for more research. Further, no studies to date have explored IPV in relationships with gender minority partners (i.e., those who identify as transgender, genderqueer, non-binary), although many sexual minority women report sexual or romantic partnerships with them (Mereish, Katz-Wise, & Woulfe, 2017).…”