“I Was a Game or a Fetish Object”: Diverse Bisexual Women’s Sexual Assault Experiences and Effects on Bisexual Identity

Abstract

Utilizing minority stress theory and intersectionality framework, this qualitative content analysis explored sexual assault experiences among 532 diverse bisexual women and gender expansive people. Findings revealed that many participants attributed their experiences of sexual assault to binegativity, which manifested as hypersexualization, “corrective rape,” perpetrator insecurity, and interpersonal hostility. In addition, participants described intersections between binegativity and other forms of oppression, including gendered racism, gendered binegativity, ableism, sizeism, and classism, and shared how they believed that these intersecting forms of oppression made them more vulnerable to sexual assault. Participants also described the ways in which sexual assault affected their understanding of and experience with their bisexual identity. For example, many participants expressed a number of relational and sexual affects (e.g., greater caution when entering into relationships with people of a certain gender, sexual discomfort, decreased sexual agency) and effects on their bisexual identity (e.g., identity disclosure process, questions about multiple aspects of their identities). Suggestions for future research and practice implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• Bisexual
• LGBTQ+
• sexual minority
• women
• minority stress
• sexual assault
• trauma
• intersectionality

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the funding provided by UMKC’s DALEE grants.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laurel B. Watson

Laurel B. Watson is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Laurel Watson’s research interests include topics affect sexual minority populations, gender diversity, intersectionality, minority stress, and trauma.

Raquel S. Craney is a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her research interests include sexual assault and topics affecting biracial and LGBTQ+ communities.

Sydney K Greenwalt is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Monmouth College. Dr. Greenwalt’s research focuses on colorblind racial ideology and amnestic heterosexism with a specific interest in ways people navigate discussions about inequality and engage effectively with out-group members.

Marcella Beaumont is currently in her third year of doctoral studies in counseling psychology. She is interested in therapists’ perceptions towards the BDSM and Kink community.

Cassandra Whitney is a licensed professional counselor. Her research interests include domestic violence and chronic illness.

Mirella J. Flores, Ph.D. is a current post-doctoral fellow in Diversity and Multicultural Services at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Flores’ research interests include topics related to discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity diversity, and intersections therein, and how these affect the mental health of individuals with minoritized identities.