Bias Toward Bisexual Women and Men in a Marriage-Matching Task

SUMMARY

The current research represents the first empirical study to examine attitudes towards bisexual women and men in the context of both traditional and same-sex marriage relationships. One-hundred fifty-five heterosexual women and men participated in a marriage matching task in which they created ideal marriage matches for profiles that differed across sexual orientation and HIV status. The results showed a clear perception that bisexual partners were best suited to other bisexual individuals (whether those individuals were of the same- or other-sex). In general, bisexual women and men were not seen as viable partners in cross-orientation marriages with heterosexual, lesbian, or gay individuals. Additionally, the results overwhelmingly emphasize the belief that HIV concordant pairings are ideal in marriage relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• Bisexuality
• HIV concordance
• LGBT
• marriage
• same-sex marriage
• sexual minority