Bi+ men and their intimate partners: sexual identities, intimate relationships and binegativity

Lawton, Samuel John (2023) Bi+ men and their intimate partners: sexual identities, intimate relationships and binegativity. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Bisexual men stand at a distinct intersection of stigmatisation, and binegativity is a unique social problem distinct from homophobia. This thesis scopes the breadth of binegativity and its various forms, developing a typology and exploring plural understandings of bisexuality. Drawing on 17 semi-structured interviews with bi+ men and their partners (25 participants overall), experiences of binegativity are explored, with romantic relationships analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Despite no explicit questions about prejudice, all participants reported experiencing binegativity, often unakin to homophobia, both implicitly and explicitly, the latter as threats or acts of violence from strangers. In contrast, implicit binegativity denies bisexuality’s existence, and was displayed by close family, whose understanding of bisexuality was overshadowed by stereotypes, and participants were burdened undoing misunderstanding through education. Romantic relationships were sites of safety, positivity and growth, with identities being explored and developed, mutual understandings reached and experimentation outside of monogamous, heteronormative and patriarchal relationship structures negotiated. Some participants relayed that their partner choice was in some way shaped by heteronormative family expectations. Identities were often expressed plurally, with participants often expressing at least two sexual identity labels simultaneously, some of them contextually used over others. I conclude that bisexual+ people suffer epistemic injustices which exclude them from articulations of LGBTQ equality and same-sex marriage debates which emphasise monosexuality, sameness to heterosexuality and fixity. I suggest that education is a possible avenue away from binegativity, along with everyday articulations of bisexuality that challenge a status quo characterised by binary thinking about gender and sexuality.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Supported by EPSRC funding (grant number: 1972004).
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
• Funder's Name: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Supervisor's Name: Smith, Professor Andrew, Ferrie, Professor Jo and Kollman, Professor Kelly
• Date of Award: 2023
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2023-83881
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 20 Oct 2023 07:02
• Last Modified: 24 Oct 2023 07:07
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.83881
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/83881