Ambivalence in Labels, Freedom in Lives: Older Women’s Discursive Constructions of Their Bisexual Identities

Abstract

Older bisexual women report a less positive sense of their sexual identity, less belonging in LGBTQ communities, and worse mental health outcomes compared to lesbian counterparts. These patterns are consistent with those identified among younger bisexual cohorts and appear to be connected to how bisexual identities are perceived and experienced; however, sexual identities take on unique meaning by gender and age and across historical contexts. To explore how older bisexual women construct and make meaning out of bisexual identities, this study applied a Foucauldian discursive and critical feminist conceptual framing to examine semi-structured interviews with women ages 60+ (N = 12). Although participants described ambivalence toward sexual labels, bisexuality created freedom and possibility in the full context of their lives. This study illustrates the contributions of discourse analysis in revealing nuanced constructions of bisexuality as well as the need for acknowledgment of life context in research and practice with older bisexual individuals.

Keywords:

• Older adults
• later life
• sexual identity
• qualitative
• discourse analysis

Disclosure statement

The author of this manuscript has no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah Jen

Sarah Jen, MSW, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas. Her research explores experiences of sexuality in later life, particularly among women and bisexual individuals.