Perceptions of Individuals Who Are Non-monosexuals held by Graduate Students: A Q Methodological Study

ABSTRACT

“Non-monosexual” is an umbrella term for bisexual, pansexual, queer, and fluid+ identities, and it lacks visibility and acceptance in the larger LGBTQ+ community. Research has shown that non-monosexual experience more discrimination than their monosexual peers (. Q methodology was used to explore the perceptions that graduate students have of the non-monosexual community, with 19 participants sorting 40 statements addressing stereotypes of non-monosexuals. Using a principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation and a significance level of .50, two factors were interpreted as, “We're all Okay,” characterized by social acceptance and normalization of non-monosexuals and “You Might be Okay,” implying an individual acceptance of those who are non-monosexual, but lack of assurance on the place of non-monosexuals in society/communities. To further explain factor interpretation, two monologues are presented that represent theoretical findings for non-monosexuals for each factor. The discussion of these findings is framed from a social justice perspective oriented toward increasing acceptance of non-monosexual individuals.

KEYWORDS:

• nonmonosexuality
• Q methodology
• social justice

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Colton Brown

Colton Bown is a doctoral candidate in Oklahoma State University's Counseling Psychology program. His research primarily consists of work with the bi/pan/queer/fluid+ community, the use of media in counseling, and foster and adoptive care. Colton serves as his program's student representative to the Student Affiliates of 17 within American Psychological Association and as the coordinator of programming for the bi/pan/queer/fulid+ community at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Tulsa, OK.

Diane Montgomery

Diane Montgomery is a Regents Professor in the School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology at Oklahoma State University. Her works primarily consists of Q methodological research in the realm of education. She previously served as the president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Subjectivity and has consulted for systemic change with local schools.

Tonya R. Hammer

Tonya R. Hammer is an assistant professor in Oklahoma State University's Counseling and Counseling Psychology program. Her research primarily focuses on relational-cultural theory, LGBTQ+ issues, and creativity in counseling. She is the president-elect for the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling within the American Counseling Association.