Examining the Existence of Biphobia in the Heterosexual and Homosexual Populations

TLDR

Biphobia, defined as negative attitudes toward bisexuality, remains poorly understood and is described as double discrimination from both heterosexual and homosexual communities. The authors developed a 30‑item Biphobia Scale to measure negative cognitions, affect, and behaviors toward bisexual individuals. Empirical results from the scale confirm that biphobia exists in both heterosexual and homosexual groups, supporting the double discrimination theory.

Abstract

Abstract Biphobia, which has been defined as negative attitudes about bisexuality and bisexual individuals (Bennett, 1992), is a psychological construct that is, at present, not well understood. Ochs (1996) described the denigration that bisexual individuals face as “double discrimination,” which she defined as discrimination from both heterosexual and homosexual communities. A 30-item instrument, the Biphobia Scale, was developed to measure negative cognitions, affect, and behaviors regarding bisexuality and bisexual individuals. The instrument has provided empirical support for the existence of the construct of biphobia and suggests that it exists in both the heterosexual and homosexual communities. The results support the theory that bisexual individuals are subjected to “double discrimination.”