DOCSLIB.ORG

An Exploration of the Impact of Social Institutions and Interpersonal Connections on The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Exploration of the Impact of Social Institutions and Interpersonal Connections on The An Exploration of the Impact of Social Institutions and Interpersonal Connections on the Sexual Expression and Identity of Dually Attracted and Bisexual Women A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF APPLIED AND PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY BY SARAH KOWAL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY OCTOBER 2010 APPROVED: ________________________ LEWIS GANTWERK, PSY.D. ________________________ NINA WILLIAMS, PSY.D. DEAN: ________________________ STANLEY MESSER, PH.D. Copyright 2010 by Sarah Kowal ABSTRACT Research about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations reveals a dearth of empirical knowledge about bisexual women. This study explores the experiences of eleven dually attracted/bisexual women between the ages of 25 and 42, with particular emphasis on communities and social institutions to which they belong. Although research demonstrates that community support plays a critical role in minority mental health, current data reveals that bisexuals experience significant degrees of biphobia and marginalization within LGBT and other communities. This qualitative study focuses on the thoughts and feelings that bisexual/dually attracted women have about their sexuality. Each 1.5 hour long interview probed about how participants’ thoughts and feelings were influenced by experiences in schools, workplaces, religious settings, LGBT groups and families of origin. The semi-structured interview tool was designed to 1) gain a deeper understanding of the overall experience of dual attraction/bisexuality in adult women 2) identify themes that illustrate the core factors that influence how bisexual women choose to identify and participate in their social contexts. The results illustrate that, largely due to perceived social stigma within both heterosexual and homosexual communities, the choice to utilize the term bisexual is highly complicated and leads some women to refuse the identity altogether. Data also illustrates the complex ways in which families, religions and other identity groups influence how participants name their sexual identity. Interestingly, bisexual celebrities emerged as an unexpected and influential “community” for some subjects in this sample. In sum, the core overarching themes that emerged from interview data were 1) Naming (or choosing not-to name) sexual identity; 2) Coming out; 3) Religion and family – acceptance, rejection and the negotiation of ii conflicting values and beliefs; 4) Workplace and school experiences; 5) Dual identity and other social minority experiences. The results of this study can be utilized to guide future research as well as inform clinicians and service providers who aim to gain a more nuanced understanding of the unique experiences and perspectives of this population. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would not have been able to complete this project without the guidance of support of many. To my dissertation committee chair and advisor, Lew, for the unwavering support, humor and gentle wisdom you doled out at just the right moments throughout my time at GSAPP. To Nina, my longest, kindest, most well-read and yet still open-minded supervisor, I hope to be something like both of you when I grow up! Thanks to you both for agreeing to be on my committee and believing in me. Thanks also to Don Morgan, Joan Morgan, Nancy McWilliams, Nancy Boyd-Franklin and Kristin Peck – for your great ideas, mentorship and extra presence when I needed it. To Priscilla, Brian, Erica, Nathan, Talia, Amanda, Laura, Naama, Aurelie, Alicia, Stephanie, Jason Kruk and Lisa Braun - for being great comrades and sharing the journey. To Tal and James for reminding me of how delicious food and New York City can make everything better. Thanks to Laura, Hannah, Dynishal, Lora, Anna, Idra, Leo, Melissa, Alix, Auntie Cathy, Don, Molly, Grampy and Mom – thanks for being my greatest cheerleaders and the backbone of my life. Thanks also to my wonderful partner Dan for understanding when I had the dissertation tone in my voice and for making me smile every day. Finally, I am forever grateful to the brave, whip-smart women who participated in this study. Thanks for your trust and candor in exploring your rich, personal stories. iv DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the players of the Wesleyan University Women’s Rugby Team (classes of 1997 & 1998), an incredible group of women who coached themselves, tackled without hesitation, re-wrote the old boys’ songs and shared multiple, incredible, undefeated seasons. Thank you for showing me how much more was possible. v TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ABSTRACT...........................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................................................iv DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................v CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.......................................1 II. BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................4 Sexual Diversity: The Importance of Building Greater Clinical Understanding............4 Minority Stress: Risks and Vulnerabilities ...................................................................8 Beyond Binaries: Bisexual and Complex Sexual Identity in Women............................9 The Importance of Belonging: Community Connectedness and Well Being .....................................14 Dual Identity and Biphobia: Investigating Bisexuals’ Relationship to Community .......................17 Bisexuals and Community Wellness: Possible Directions for future Research.............................................19 III. MATERIALS AND METHODS...................................................................21 Introduction....................................................................................................21 Participants.....................................................................................................21 Rational and Procedures ................................................................................22 Data Collection and Analysis: Grounded Theory Methodology ...................23 Methods..........................................................................................................25 Instruments.....................................................................................................25 IV. RESULTS ......................................................................................................28 Introduction....................................................................................................28 Participant Demographics..............................................................................28 A Note About the Use of Language...............................................................30 Content Analyses: Key Themes.....................................................................31 ‘Stories’ of Bisexual and Dually Attracted Women ......................................68 vi V. DISCUSSION................................................................................................89 Introduction....................................................................................................89 Humanizing an Invisible Population: Studying Variation in Bisexual Samples..........................................................................................................92 Social Norms and Language: The Challenge of Accepting Uncertainty And Multiplicity.............................................................................................94 Conclusion .....................................................................................................99 Questions for Future Research.......................................................................100 REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................102 APPENDICES A. Recruitment Flyer .....................................................................................108 B. Consent Form ............................................................................................109 C. Demographic Information About You ......................................................111 D. Semi-structured Interview.........................................................................114 vii CHAPTER I Introduction and Statement of Purpose Until 1980, in the field of psychology, homosexuality was classified as a disorder in the DSM. In general, from the time of Freud through the present, psychologists have at best, a mixed history in their efforts to help sexual minorities (Duberman, 1991; Murphy et al. 2002). In recent decades, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people have fought for and received increased levels of visibility, social acceptance, psychological understanding and civil rights. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done before gay, lesbian and bisexual people enjoy the same freedoms, safety level and social visibility as heterosexuals; for psychologists who want to best serve their LGBT clients, it is imperative to continue the quest to understand more about human sexuality generally as well as the unique experiences, perceptions and needs of sexual minorities. This study focuses specifically on the experiences of bisexual and dually attracted women.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Robust Evidence for Bisexual Orientation Among Men
    Robust evidence for bisexual orientation among men Jeremy Jabboura, Luke Holmesb, David Sylvac, Kevin J. Hsud, Theodore L. Semona, A. M. Rosenthala, Adam Safrone, Erlend Slettevoldb, Tuesday M. Watts-Overallf, Ritch C. Savin-Williamsg, John Syllah,i, Gerulf Riegerb,1, and J. Michael Baileya,1,2 aDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208; bDepartment of Psychology, Essex University, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom; cDepartment of Psychiatry, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA 90056; dDepartment of Psychological and Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University Abington, Abington, PA 19001; eKinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405; fSchool of Psychology, University of East London, Stratford E15 4LZ, United Kingdom; gDepartment of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401; hAmerican Institute of Bisexuality, Los Angeles, CA 90014; and iUniversity of Chicago Law School, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637 Edited by Steven Pinker, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, and approved June 16, 2020 (received for review February 25, 2020) The question whether some men have a bisexual orientation— emotional biases of the questioners. Some heterosexual and ho- that is, whether they are substantially sexually aroused and mosexual men may find it relatively easy to understand each attracted to both sexes—has remained controversial among both other’s monosexuality because both have strong sexual attraction scientists and laypersons. Skeptics believe that male sexual orien- to one sex and virtually none to the other. For this reason, these tation can only be homosexual or heterosexual, and that bisexual men may have more difficulty accepting bisexuality as it challenges identification reflects nonsexual concerns, such as a desire to their binary conceptualizations of sexual orientation (7).
    [Show full text]
  • Allies (Like You!) Are a Vital Believe That We Exist
    how to be an Learn More What is Bi+? Bisexual Resource Center The BRC uses “bisexual” and “bi+” as umbrella terms for people who recognize and honor their Brochures, handouts, links to research, find bi+ potential for sexual and emotional attraction groups: to more than one gender (pansexual, fluid, www.biresource.org omnisexual, queer, and all other free-identifiers). We celebrate and affirm the diversity of identity Bisexual Health Awareness Month and expression regardless of labels. to a bi+ person Learn about bi+ health disparities at www.bihealthmonth.org Our Vision The Bisexual Resource Center envisions a world Bi Women Quarterly where love is celebrated, regardless of sexual Read essays, fiction, poems, and see visual art from orientation or gender expression. Because bisexuals bi+ women around the world: today are still misunderstood, marginalized and www.biwomenboston.org/newsletter discriminated against, the BRC is committed to providing support to the bisexual community and Still Bisexual raising public awareness about bisexuality and Watch videos of people telling their own bi+ bisexual people. stories: www.stillbisexual.com How to Support Us The BiCast A bi+ podcast: www.thebicast.org The BRC is primarily funded through the generosity of our donors. There are many ways you can give. BiNet USA Website: www.biresource.org/donate Learn more about this national bi+ organization: Paypal: [email protected] www.binetusa.org Venmo: @bisexualresourcecenter Bisexual Organizing Project Want to volunteer your time? Email us at Hosts the BECAUSE conference and hosts groups [email protected] in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN: www.bisexualorganizingproject.org © 2018 Bisexual Resource Center PO Box 170796 Boston, MA 02117 American Institute of Bisexuality 617.424.9595 | www.biresource.org www.americaninstituteofbisexuality.org The Bisexual Resource Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
    [Show full text]
  • Attitudes Toward Bisexuality According to Sexual Orientation and Gender
    Fairfield University DigitalCommons@Fairfield Graduate School of Education & Allied GSEAP Faculty Publications Professions 7-2016 Attitudes Toward Bisexuality According to Sexual Orientation and Gender Katherine M. Hertlein Erica E. Hartwell Fairfield University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/education-facultypubs Copyright 2016 Taylor and Francis. A post-print has been archived with permission from the copyright holder. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Bisexuality in 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/ 15299716.2016.1200510 Peer Reviewed Repository Citation Hertlein, Katherine M. and Hartwell, Erica E., "Attitudes Toward Bisexuality According to Sexual Orientation and Gender" (2016). GSEAP Faculty Publications. 126. https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/education-facultypubs/126 Published Citation Hertlein, Katherine M., Erica E. Hartwell, and Mashara E. Munns. "Attitudes Toward Bisexuality According to Sexual Orientation and Gender." Journal of Bisexuality (July 2016) 16(3): 1-22. This item has been accepted for inclusion in DigitalCommons@Fairfield by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Fairfield. It is brought to you by DigitalCommons@Fairfield with permission from the rights- holder(s) and is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself. For more information, please contact [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • A Personal Construct Psychology Perspective on Sexual Identity
    A personal construct psychology perspective on sexual identity Item Type Thesis Authors Morano, Laurie Ann Download date 24/09/2021 18:24:25 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/718 A PERSONAL CONSTRUCT PSYCHOLOGY PERSPECTIVE ON SEXUAL IDENTITY A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT NEW PALTZ IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING By Laurie Ann Morano November 2007 Notice: Signature Page Not Included This thesis has been signed and approved by the appropriate parties. The signature page has been removed from this digital version for privacy reasons. The signature page is maintained as part of the official version of the thesis in print that is kept in Special Collections of Sojourner Truth Library at SUNY New Paltz. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Jonathan Raskin for his patience and unwavering support during this process. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my love, Kristina. You knew just when to push me to work and just when to keep quiet when I should have been working, but was not – it was a fine line, but you walked it perfectly. Thank you to all my friends and family that believed I would finish this one day. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Acknowledgements……………………………………………….iii II. Abstract……………………………………………………………vi III. Introduction………………………………………………………...1 A Personal Construct Psychology Perspective on Sexual Identity ………………………………………………………………….1 IV. Homosexual Identity Development Models……………………….4 Plummer’s Interactionist Account of Male Homosexuality…...7 Ponse’s Theory of Lesbian Identity Development……………..9 Cass’s Theory of Homosexual Identity Formation…………….11 Troiden’s Ideal-Typical Model of Homosexual Identity Formation ………………………………………………………………….14 V.
    [Show full text]
  • Monosexual and Nonmonosexual Women in Same-Sex Couples’ Relationship Quality During the First Five Years of Parenthood Abbie E
    Smith ScholarWorks Psychology: Faculty Publications Psychology 12-28-2017 Monosexual and Nonmonosexual Women in Same-Sex Couples’ Relationship Quality During the First Five Years of Parenthood Abbie E. Goldberg Clark University Randi L. Garcia Smith College, [email protected] Melissa H. Manley Clark University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs Part of the Psychiatry and Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Goldberg, Abbie E.; Garcia, Randi L.; and Manley, Melissa H., "Monosexual and Nonmonosexual Women in Same-Sex Couples’ Relationship Quality During the First Five Years of Parenthood" (2017). Psychology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA. https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs/13 This Article has been accepted for inclusion in Psychology: Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Smith ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected] Monosexual and Nonmonosexual Women in Same-Sex Couples 1 Monosexual and Nonmonosexual Women in Same-Sex Couples’ Relationship Quality During the First Five Years of Parenthood Monosexual and Nonmonosexual Women in Same-Sex Couples 2 Abstract Research on relationship quality in same-sex couples has rarely focused on (a) couples who are parents, who likely experience additional stressors, or (b) couples in which partners differ in sexual identity. Insomuch as nonmonosexual women (i.e., women with non-exclusive sexual orientations) experience unique challenges due to monosexism, relationship quality may be influenced by whether partners share a monosexual or nonmonosexual identity. The current study is a longitudinal, dyadic analysis of 118 female parents within 63 same-sex couples whose relationship quality (relationship maintenance, conflict, love, ambivalence) was assessed at five time points across the first 5 years of adoptive parenthood.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Liberty and Same-Sex Marriage: an Argument from Bisexuality
    University at Buffalo School of Law Digital Commons @ University at Buffalo School of Law Journal Articles Faculty Scholarship 2012 Sexual Liberty and Same-Sex Marriage: An Argument from Bisexuality Michael Boucai University at Buffalo School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/journal_articles Part of the Civil Rights and Discrimination Commons, and the Gender and Sexuality Commons Recommended Citation Michael Boucai, Sexual Liberty and Same-Sex Marriage: An Argument from Bisexuality, 49 San Diego L. Rev. 415 (2012). Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/journal_articles/66 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at Digital Commons @ University at Buffalo School of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal Articles by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ University at Buffalo School of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Sexual Liberty and Same-Sex Marriage: An Argument from Bisexuality MICHAEL BOUCAI* TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................416 II. SEXUAL LIBERTY AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE .............................. 421 A. A Right To Choose Homosexual Relations and Relationships.........................................421 B. Marriage'sBurden on the Right............................426 1. Disciplineor Punishment?.... 429 2. The Burden's Substance and Magnitude. ................... 432 III. BISEXUALITY AND MARRIAGE.. .........................................
    [Show full text]
  • )Lot 100 Sin I Les Sales
    Billboard JANUARY 17, 1998 HOT 100 A-Z Billboard. JANUARY 17, 1998 TITLE (Publisher - Licensing Org.) Sheet Music Dist. 44 2 BECOME 1 (Full Keel. ASCAP/Windswept Pacific. ASCAP/Polygram Intl. ASCAP) HUWBM 46 32 FLAVORS (Righteous Babe, BMI) 100 Air ilay.. 86 4, 3, 2,1(LL Cool 1. ASCAP/Def lam, ASCAP/Enck Sermon. Hot )lot 100 Sin I les Sales.. Compiled from d oa LUna 4,1e of auylay Suyphe: by Broadcast Data Systems' Radio Track service. ASCAP/Zomba. ASCAP/Zo So, ASCAP/Brooklyn Dust. ASCAP/Funky Compiled from a national sample of POS (point of sale) retail stores and rack which report 334 stations are electronically monitored 24 hours 3 day, 7 days a week. Songs ranked by gross impres- Noble, ASCAP/fimber Trace. ASCAP) WBM quipped outlets number This sions, computed by cross -referencing exact times of airplay with A bitron listener data. This data 28 4 SEASONS OF LONELINESS (EMI April. ASCAP/Flyte of units sold to SoundScan, Inc. data is u ecl in the Hot 100 Singles chart. SoundScanA is used in the Hot 100 Singles chart. Tyme, ASCAP) HL 80 AIN'T THAT JUST THE WAY (MCA- Duchess. Willi BMI/MCA -On Backstreet. ASCAP) HL x ó 0 x oz 3 22 ALL CRIED OUT (Careers -BMG. BMI/Mokojumbi. 3 3 TITLE TITLE BMI/Zomba, BMI) HUM/BM w TITLE r.+! Ñ TITLE 30 ALL FOR YOU (Music Corp. Of America, BMI /Cherry, x ARTIST (IMPRINT/PROMOTION LABEL) i- 5 3 ARTIST (IMPRINT /PROMOTION LABEL) 5 3 ARTIST (IMPRINT /PROMOTION LABEL) 5 3 ARTIST (IMPRINT PROMOTION LABEL) BMI /Crooked Chimney, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Positive Identity and Relationship Satisfaction in Bisexual Women in Relationships with Men
    University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion Kinesiology and Health Promotion 2020 EXPLORING POSITIVE IDENTITY AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION IN BISEXUAL WOMEN IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN Kamryn Michel University of Kentucky, [email protected] Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2020.350 Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Michel, Kamryn, "EXPLORING POSITIVE IDENTITY AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION IN BISEXUAL WOMEN IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN" (2020). Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion. 80. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/khp_etds/80 This Master's Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Kinesiology and Health Promotion at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.
    [Show full text]
  • Downbeat.Com March 2014 U.K. £3.50
    £3.50 £3.50 U.K. DOWNBEAT.COM MARCH 2014 D O W N B E AT DIANNE REEVES /// LOU DONALDSON /// GEORGE COLLIGAN /// CRAIG HANDY /// JAZZ CAMP GUIDE MARCH 2014 March 2014 VOLUME 81 / NUMBER 3 President Kevin Maher Publisher Frank Alkyer Editor Bobby Reed Associate Editor Davis Inman Contributing Editor Ed Enright Designer Ara Tirado Bookkeeper Margaret Stevens Circulation Manager Sue Mahal Circulation Assistant Evelyn Oakes Editorial Intern Kathleen Costanza Design Intern LoriAnne Nelson ADVERTISING SALES Record Companies & Schools Jennifer Ruban-Gentile 630-941-2030 [email protected] Musical Instruments & East Coast Schools Ritche Deraney 201-445-6260 [email protected] Advertising Sales Associate Pete Fenech 630-941-2030 [email protected] OFFICES 102 N. Haven Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126–2970 630-941-2030 / Fax: 630-941-3210 http://downbeat.com [email protected] CUSTOMER SERVICE 877-904-5299 / [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Senior Contributors: Michael Bourne, Aaron Cohen, John McDonough Atlanta: Jon Ross; Austin: Kevin Whitehead; Boston: Fred Bouchard, Frank- John Hadley; Chicago: John Corbett, Alain Drouot, Michael Jackson, Peter Margasak, Bill Meyer, Mitch Myers, Paul Natkin, Howard Reich; Denver: Norman Provizer; Indiana: Mark Sheldon; Iowa: Will Smith; Los Angeles: Earl Gibson, Todd Jenkins, Kirk Silsbee, Chris Walker, Joe Woodard; Michigan: John Ephland; Minneapolis: Robin James; Nashville: Bob Doerschuk; New Orleans: Erika Goldring, David Kunian, Jennifer Odell; New York: Alan Bergman, Herb Boyd, Bill Douthart, Ira Gitler, Eugene
    [Show full text]
  • Nonbinary Gender Identities in Media: an Annotated Bibliography
    Nonbinary Gender Identities in Media: An Annotated Bibliography Table of Contents Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 Glossary------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Adult and Young Adult Materials----------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 Nonfiction-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 Articles (Scholarly and Popular)------------------------------------------------------------------------14 Fiction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19 Comics (Print and Web)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------28 Film and Television----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------31 Web Resources---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------37 Children’s Materials-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------41 Nonfiction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------41 Fiction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------41 Film and Television----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------42
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Issues Facing Bisexual Americans
    UNDERSTANDING ISSUES FACING BISEXUAL AMERICANS This report was authored by: 2 MAP thanks the following funders, without Movement Advancement Project whom this report would not have been possible. The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent think tank that provides rigorous David Bohnett Foundation research, insight and analysis that help speed equality David Dechman for LGBT people. MAP works collaboratively with David Geffen Foundation LGBT organizations, advocates and funders, providing Ford Foundation information, analysis and resources that help coordinate Gill Foundation and strengthen their efforts for maximum impact. MAP Esmond Harmsworth also conducts policy research to inform the public and Jim Hormel policymakers about the legal and policy needs of LGBT Johnson Family Foundation people and their families. Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Weston Milliken BiNetUSA Kevin J. Mossier Foundation BiNet USA is America’s civil-rights & advocacy group for The Palette Fund all bisexual, fluid, pansexual & queer-identified people Mona Pittenger and their families, friends & allies. H. van Ameringen Foundation Sara Whitman Bisexual Resource Center Founded in 1985, the Bisexual Resource Center is the oldest national bisexual organization in the U.S. that advocates for bisexual visibility and raises awareness about bisexuality throughout the LGBT and straight communities. The BRC envisions a world where love is celebrated, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. Photos from Twitter project #WhatBiLooksLike About this report: (from left to right): The series of publications that includes UNDERSTANDING Top row: @revjanetedwards, Sara Chittenden & Kara Issues Facing LGBT Americans is a primer that introduces Kuhn, @siniharakka the major areas in which LGBT Americans face legal barriers to fully participating in life and provides a Middle row: Martha and Sarah – © Iris Jastram 2014, summary of what advocates are doing to work for Alejandro Montaño, ___ change.
    [Show full text]
  • A Grounded Theory of How Mixed Orientation Married
    “Making it Work”: A Grounded Theory of How Mixed Orientation Married Couples Commit, Sexually Identify, and Gender Themselves Christian Edward Jordal Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Human Development Katherine R. Allen April L. Few-Demo Christine E. Kaestle Margaret L. Keeling April 27, 2011 Blacksburg, Virginia Keywords: Bisexuality; gender; marital commitment; mixed orientation marriage Abstract Married bisexuals who come out to their heterosexual partners do not invariably divorce. This qualitative study included 14 intact, mixed orientation married couples. The mean marriage duration was 14.5 years, and the mean time since the bisexual spouse had come out was 7.9 years. The research focused the negotiation processes around three constructs: (a) sexual identity; (b) gender identity; and (c) marital commitment. Dyadic interviews were used to generate a grounded theory of the identity and commitment negotiation processes occurring among intact mixed orientation married couples. The findings revealed two sexual identity trajectories: Bisexuals who identify before marriage and reemerge within marriage; or bisexuals who do not identity before marriage but who emerge from within marriage. Two gender identity processes were reported: gender non-conformity and deliberate gender conformity. Finally, two negotiation processes around marital commitment were found: (a) closed marital commitment, and (b) open marital commitment. Closed marital commitment was defined as monogamous. Open marital commitment had four subtypes: (a) monogamous with the option to open; (b) open on one side (i.e., the bisexual spouse was or had the option to establish a tertiary relationship outside the marriage); (c) open on both sides or polyamorous; and (d) third-person inclusive (i.e.
    [Show full text]