Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Gary J. Burkholder

Abstract

Bisexuality is often met with binegativity, dismissal, and marginalization due to misconception of identity and behavior and its consideration as a transitional phase before the adoption of a monosexual identity. There is a lack of in-depth research regarding bisexuality apart from lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender/sexual studies; it is important to understand and differentiate bisexuality as a separate identity rather than a subset of heterosexual or homosexual identities. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of bisexuals through the lens of sexual configurations theory (SCT). SCT is a relatively new theory that has yet to enjoy broad empirical support; it theorizes sexuality as a social construct grounded in relativism. The theory and its mapping diagram allow for the possibility of a framework and visual depiction of bisexual lived experiences. Six people who identified as bisexual, who were recruited through listervs of professional organizations, and social organization networks, participated in in-depth interviews. The interviewees described their experiences with attractions and partners as whole gender/sex identities, relationships to gender/sex norms, genders, and personal attributes as having equal or greater importance than sex. Results indicate that the SCT diagram is a viable tool in understanding and describing lived experiences in a visual capacity. Implications for positive social change include providing knowledge that scholar-practitioners, mental health providers, and educators can use to support and affirm the bisexual identity and behaviors of clients. The research also lends further support to the SCT as an explanatory framework for sexuality.

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