TY - JOUR
T1 - We're Here and We're Queer
T2 - Sexual Orientation and Sexual Fluidity Differences Between Bisexual and Queer Women
AU - Mereish, Ethan H.
AU - Katz-Wise, Sabra L.
AU - Woulfe, Julie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2017/1/2
Y1 - 2017/1/2
N2 - Theorists and researchers have noted an overlap between individuals who are bisexually-identified and queer-identified. Although 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 women and men). The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences between adult women who were bisexually-identified and those who were queer-identified, ages 18 to 66 years, on sociodemographic characteristics, 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%). Results indicated that women who are bisexual and queer were similar in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, with the exception of education; women identifying as queer were more educated than women identifying as bisexual. Women identifying as queer were also more likely than women identifying as bisexual to report variability in their sexual behaviors and attractions and more fluidity in their sexual orientation identity. Additionally, women identifying as queer reported higher levels of identity centrality and affirmation than women identifying as bisexual. Considerations for sexual minority women's health research are discussed.
AB - Theorists and researchers have noted an overlap between individuals who are bisexually-identified and queer-identified. Although 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 women and men). The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences between adult women who were bisexually-identified and those who were queer-identified, ages 18 to 66 years, on sociodemographic characteristics, 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%). Results indicated that women who are bisexual and queer were similar in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, with the exception of education; women identifying as queer were more educated than women identifying as bisexual. Women identifying as queer were also more likely than women identifying as bisexual to report variability in their sexual behaviors and attractions and more fluidity in their sexual orientation identity. Additionally, women identifying as queer reported higher levels of identity centrality and affirmation than women identifying as bisexual. Considerations for sexual minority women's health research are discussed.
KW - bisexual
KW - identity affirmation
KW - identity centrality
KW - identity fluidity
KW - queer
KW - sexual attraction
KW - sexual behavior
KW - women
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84983353125&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84983353125&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15299716.2016.1217448
DO - 10.1080/15299716.2016.1217448
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84983353125
SN - 1529-9716
VL - 17
SP - 125
EP - 139
JO - Journal of Bisexuality
JF - Journal of Bisexuality
IS - 1
ER -