An Empirical Study into the Relationship between Bisexual Identity Congruence, Internalized Biphobia and Infidelity among Bisexual Women

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between bisexual identity congruence, internalized biphobia and infidelity among women who are attracted to men and women. Bisexual identity congruence was measured by an adapted Klein Sexual Orientation Grid, internalized biphobia was measured by an adapted version of the Lesbian Internalized Homophobia Scale and infidelity was measured by a questionnaire created by the authors measuring sexual and emotional infidelity in relationships with men and with women. Results showed a significant relationship between bisexual identity congruence and internalized biphobia, and a significant difference between faithful and unfaithful women in terms of their levels of internalized biphobia.

KEYWORDS:

• bisexual women
• sexual identity
• internalized biphobia
• infidelity

Acknowledgments

Mimi Hoang, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist at California State University, Los Angeles. Dr. Hoang is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles Bi Task Force, Co-Founder and past Chair of AMBI (A Meeting of Bi Individuals), Co-Founder and past Co-Chair of Fluid UCLA, and was the Bi Advisory Board Chair of ‘Ohana House/Asian Pacific Islanders for Human Rights. Correspondence regarding this article should be sent to Mimi Hoang, Ph.D., Student Health Center, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032. Dr. Hoang is also available via e-mail at [email protected].

Judy Holloway, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. Correspondence regarding this article should be sent to Judy Holloway, PhD, Alliant International University, Los Angeles, 1000 South Fremont Avenue, Unit 5, Alhambra, California 91803–8835. Dr. Holloway is available via telephone at (626) 270–3282 or via email at [email protected].

Richard H. Mendoza, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. Correspondence regarding this article should be sent to Richard H. Mendoza, PhD, Alliant International University, Los Angeles, 1000 South Fremont Avenue, Unit 5, Alhambra, California 91803–8835. Dr. Mendoza is available via telephone at (626) 270–3374 or via email at [email protected].

Notes

1. Slang term for African American men who have female partners but also have sexual encounters with men in secret.

2. The author is coining the new term monosexism rather than the more often-used term biphobia, mirroring the shift from homophobia to heterosexism to shift the paradigm from a “phobia” or irrational fear, to a systemic issue of prejudice and discrimination.