“I’m Not as Gay as Some Other Queer People”: Exploring Bi + Men’s Perceptions of Masculinity and Sexual Identity

Jason Preston, James Ravenhill, Richard O. de Visser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Research has highlighted the constraints imposed on bi + people as they navigate sexual and romantic encounters within a society which privileges exclusive attraction to one gender. For bi + men, these expectations are complicated by hegemonic masculine norms which dictate the boundaries of gender expression. This qualitative study explores how bi + men navigate the boundaries of normative gender and sexual expression in constructing a bisexual-masculine identity. Twenty-two cisgender bi + men participated in semi-structured interviews, where they were invited to discuss their beliefs about bisexuality and masculinity. The findings explore the ways that bi + men navigate the borders of hetero- and queer masculinities in constructing a bisexual-masculine identity, identifying traits and characteristics which affirm a sense of masculinity. The findings also identify the barriers bi + men experience in aligning their masculine and bisexual identities, which often led to a feeling of liminality and erasure of their bisexual identity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-26
Number of pages26
JournalJournal of Bisexuality
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Jan 2025

Keywords

  • bisexuality
  • masculinity
  • identity
  • heteronormativity
  • queer

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