Attitudes Toward Bisexual Women and Men

TLDR

This article reviews research on attitudes toward bisexual women and men. The study recommends future research on conceptualizing and measuring attitudes, exploring community and interpersonal attitudes, and developing interventions to change attitudes toward bisexuality. The authors categorize attitudes toward bisexual individuals into heterosexism, authenticity concerns, sexuality focus, loyalty concerns, and positive attitudes. Empirical studies—including surveys, psychometrics, experiments, and analogue research—are summarized, and the authors suggest that insights from lesbian and gay research can inform and extend studies of bisexual attitudes.

Abstract

Abstract This article describes research on attitudes toward bisexual women and men. The authors describe types of attitudes toward bisexual individuals in terms of heterosexism, questions of authenticity, focus on sexuality, concerns about loyalty, and positive attitudes. Empirical research pertaining to these attitudes is summarized, and the results of survey, psychometric, experimental, and analogue studies are described. Recommendations for future research on attitudes regarding bisexuality are identified in the areas of conceptualization and measurement of attitudes, attitudes in communities and interpersonal relationships, and interventions designed to change attitudes. The authors conclude by discussing ways in which research on attitudes toward bisexual women and men can benefit from and extend knowledge gained through research on attitudes toward lesbians and gay men.