Bisexual Identity in the Context of Parenthood: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Self-Identified Bisexual Parents in the United States

ABSTRACT

Bisexual parents constitute the largest proportion of “lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) parents” yet are largely absent from previous research. As parenting and sexual identity may be significant pieces of one's self-concept, examining bisexual parents’ experiences and sexual identity formation is important. This qualitative study used phone interviews with 33 self-identified bisexual parents in the United States with at least one child (including genetic, adopted, step, or foster). Participants were between ages 22 and 65 years, and the majority were non-Hispanic White. The authors thematically analyzed interview data using Dedoose. Participants described experiencing biphobia as a barrier to understanding their identity or coming out to others, including their children. Despite misconceptions about bisexuality, parents reported pride in their identity and more openness to and understanding of their children. Developing resources to navigate biphobia and identity disclosure in the context of parenting may build community and reduce stress.

KEYWORDS:

• bisexual
• self-identified bisexual
• parents
• coming out

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the American Institute of Bisexuality for funding this study. The authors would like to thank the participants for sharing their experiences with us. The authors are grateful for the coding insights of Christopher Owens, and transcription efforts of Karly Beavers, Elyse Johnson, Haeun Cho, and Kirstin Clephane.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Bartelt

Elizabeth Bartelt, MPH, is a doctoral student in the Department of Applied Health Science and a research coordinator at the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. Her research interests includes sexual and gender minority communities and sexuality education. Elizabeth has worked in the sexual health field through research and nonprofit work at Planned Parenthood.

Jessamyn Bowling

Brian Dodge, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Applied Health Science and Associate Director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. His research focuses on health among understudied and underserved sexual and gender minority individuals and communities. Dr. Dodge is also a codirector of the Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health (BiRCH), a partnership of Indiana University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and The Fenway Institute—where he is an adjunct member of the research faculty.

Brian Dodge

Jessamyn Bowling, PhD, MPH is an assistant professor at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the Public Health Sciences department. Her research focuses on the sexual health of sexual and gender minority populations. Jessamyn uses community based participatory approaches and has worked in the United States, Cambodia, Vietnam, Cameroon, and India.

Wendy Bostwick

Wendy Bostwick, PhD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Health Systems Science Department, College of Nursing, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She conducts research related to health disparities among sexual and gender minority populations, with a focus on mental health and substance use among bisexual women. She has been engaged in women's health activism, research and advocacy for more than 20 years. Her current work explores how microaggressions associated with race, gender, sexual orientation, and their intersection affect mental and physical health. Dr. Bostwick is also a codirector of the Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health (BiRCH), a partnership of Indiana University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and The Fenway Institute, where she holds an adjunct research faculty position.