Coming Out to Family and Friends as Bisexually Identified Young Adult Women: A Discussion of Homophobia, Biphobia, and Heteronormativity

Abstract

Although coming out is considered a crucial part of minority sexual identity development, research concerning bisexual women's coming out experiences is limited. Nevertheless, bisexual women encounter unique stigma and challenges that warrant specific attention. Seventeen young adult women participated in individual, open-ended qualitative interviews about their bisexual identity development. Our inductive thematic analysis of participants' coming out experiences and perspectives revealed important themes related to the unique aspects of coming out as young bisexual women. Themes included 1) the presence of both homophobia and biphobia, 2) the use of alternate identity terms to combat biphobia, 3) the preference to approach coming out in a casual manner, 4) the ability to pass as heterosexual or lesbian when it fits the situation, and 5) the resolute rejection of the disclosure imperative, among others. We discuss these findings in the context of gender, homophobia, biphobia, and heteronormativity.

KEYWORDS:

• bisexuality
• biphobia
• homophobia
• sexual orientation
• coming out
• identity development
• intersectionality
• gender

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachael L. Wandrey

Rachael Wandrey, MS, is a clinical psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This research was conducted while she was funded by the State of Wisconsin's Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship.

Katie E. Mosack

Katie E. Mosack is an Associate Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Erin M. Moore

Erin M. Moore is a youth worker from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This research was funded through her participation in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.