Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Outside the LGBTQ “Safety Zone”

Lesbian and Bisexual Women Negotiate Sexual Identity across Multiple Ecological Contexts

Bibliographic Data

ID12759641
AuthorsKimberly Belmonte (The Graduate Center, CUNY, corresponding author), Tabitha R Holmes (SUNY New Paltz)
Year2016
Volume16
Issue2
Pages233-269
Publication date2016-04-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Bisexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1529-9716 • E-ISSN: 1529-9724
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15299716.2016.1152932
OpenAlexW2346590281
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited89

This mixed methods study analyzed how bisexual (n = 241) and lesbian (n = 204) women qualitatively describe the settings in which they feel most positive and negative about their sexual identities. Secondly, the authors quantitatively assessed lesbian and bisexual women on identity-related processes (e.g., outness, negative feelings about identity) and standardized measures of acceptance and engagement with lesbian and bisexual communities and people. Compared to lesbian women, bisexual women were more likely to describe feeling most negative with family members and sexual minority peers, most positive when with allies, and were less likely to describe feeling positive “everywhere.” Bisexual women were less open and had more negative feelings about their sexual identity than lesbians but were accepting of and engaged with lesbian and bisexual communities. Lesbians were only accepting of and engaged with lesbian communities. The discussion focuses on the changing role of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer contexts and the unique challenges faced by bisexual women

Feeling · Homosexuality · Human sexuality · Identity (music · Identity negotiation · Lesbian · Negotiation · Psychoanalysis · Queer · Sexual identity · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Sociology · Transgender · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Social Psychology

  • Regardless of Their Gender”

    M Paz Galupo, Johanna L Ramirez et al.•Journal of Bisexuality•2016

  • The Nature and Perceived Effects of Bipositivity Among Plurisexual Women

    Allison E Cipriano, Kathryn J Holland•Journal of Bisexuality•2024

  • Context and Safety Are Everything”

    Open Access•E B Harvey, Keeley Abbott et al.•Journal of Bisexuality•2024

  • The Lowdown on the Down Low

    Thomas P Duffin•Journal of Bisexuality•2016

  • Not Queer Enough”

    Open Access•Amy R McCole, Joel Anderson•Journal of Bisexuality•2025

  • As a Sort of Blanket Term”

    Open Access•Zoe M Kolker, Phil Taylor et al.•Sexuality & Culture•2019

  • Comparing Pansexual- and Bisexual-Identified Participants on Demographics, Psychological Well-Being, and Political Ideology in a New Zealand National Sample

    L M Greaves, C G Sibley et al.•The Journal of Sex Research•2019

  • Factor structure of the Outness Inventory in a sample of Black and White lesbian and bisexual young adult women

    Alexis Sheffield, Irene Tung et al.•Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental…•2022

  • After coming out

    Open Access•Apoorva Ghosh•Sociology Compass•2019

  • I’m Out Here Living My Best Life. Hallelujah on Being Queer!”

    Open Access•Skyler J Morgan•Sexuality Research and Social…•2025

  • Situational Fluidity and the Use of Identity Labels in Interactions

    Open Access•A Holmes, Amin Ghaziani•Socius Sociological Research for…•2025

  • Comparing the Partnering, Minority Stress, and Depression for Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay Adults from Religious Upbringings

    Katie Heiden-Rootes, Erica Hartwell et al.•Journal of Homosexuality•2021

  • Bipositivity

    Kimberly A Fuller, Kimberly Fuller et al.•Journal of Homosexuality•2022

  • I know you are but who Am I? Presentation and labelling in young queer communities

    Open Access•Kate Feldstein, David Schieber•Sexualities•2024

  • Identity Development Among Sexual-Minority Youth

    Open Access•Ritch C Savin-Williams, Ritch C Savin‐william•Handbook of Identity Theory and…•2011

  • Dual Attraction

    Martin S Weinberg, Colin J Williams et al.•Dual attraction•1994

  • Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT Young Adults

    Open Access•Caitlin Ryan, T Russell et al.•Journal of Child and Adolescent…•2010

  • Revision and extension of a multidimensional measure of sexual minority identity

    Jonathan J Mohr, Matthew S Kendra•Journal of Counseling Psychology•2011

  • The positive aspects of being a lesbian or gay man.

    Ellen D B Riggle, Joy S Whitman et al.•Professional Psychology Research…•2008

  • Perceived social support from friends and family and psychosocial functioning in bisexual young adult college students.

    Raymond L Sheets, Jonathan J Mohr•Journal of Counseling Psychology•2009

  • Adaptation to sexual orientation stigma

    Kimberly F Balsam, Jonathan J Mohr•Journal of Counseling Psychology•2007

  • Making Sense of Sexual Orientation Measures

    B Austin, S Bryn Austin et al.•Journal of LGBT Health Research•2007

  • Defining and Measuring Sexual Orientation

    Open Access•Randall L Sell•Archives of Sexual Behavior•1997

  • Measuring attitudes regarding bisexuality in lesbian, gay male, and heterosexual populations.

    Jonathan J Mohr, Aaron B Rochlen•Journal of Counseling Psychology•1999

  • The LGBTQ Responsive Model for Supervision of Group Work

    Kristopher M Goodrich, M Luke•The Journal for Specialists in…•2011

  • Families of Choice? Exploring the Supportive Networks of Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals1

    Open Access•Alexis Dewaele, Nele Cox et al.•Journal of Applied Social…•2011

  • Rates and predictors of mental illness in gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women

    Open Access•James Warner, Eamonn Mckeown et al.•The British Journal of Psychiatry•2004

  • Perceived experiences of anti-bisexual prejudice

    Melanie E Brewster, Melanie Brewster et al.•Journal of Counseling Psychology•2010

  • Are gay communities dying or just in transition? Results from an international consultation examining possible structural change in gay communities

    B R Simon Rosser, William West et al.•AIDS Care•2008

  • Bisexual, pansexual, queer

    Open Access•April Scarlette Callis•Sexualities•2014

  • “All the World is Queer Save Thee and ME…”

    Meg Barker, Christina Richards et al.•Journal of Bisexuality•2009

  • What About the “B” in LGB

    Serena Yuan Volpp•Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental…•2010

  • Ecological transition

    Judith Porges Hollander, Judith Hollander et al.•Health Care For Women International•1992

  • Dimensions of sexual identity and minority stress among bisexual women

    Christina Dyar, Brian A Feinstein et al.•Psychology of Sexual Orientation…•2014

  • Sexual minority self-identification

    M Paz Galupo, Renae C Mitchell et al.•Psychology of Sexual Orientation…•2015

  • Sexual fluidity in young adult women and men

    Sabra L Katz-Wise•Psychology and Sexuality•2014

  • The positive aspects of a bisexual self-identification

    Sharon S Rostosky, Ellen D B Riggle et al.•Psychology and Sexuality•2010

  • Comparing perceived experiences of prejudice among self-identified plurisexual individuals

    Renae C Mitchell, Kyle S Davis et al.•Psychology and Sexuality•2014

  • Through a lens of embodiment

    Deborah L Tolman•Sexuality Research and Social…•2006

  • British Bisexuality

    Meg Barker, Helen Bowes-Catton et al.•Journal of Bisexuality•2008

  • Examining the Existence of Biphobia in the Heterosexual and Homosexual Populations

    Patrick S Mulick, Lester W Wright•Journal of Bisexuality•2002

  • Attitudes Toward Bisexual Women and Men

    Tania Israel, Jonathan J Mohr•Journal of Bisexuality•2004

  • Two Many and Not Enough

    Paula C Rust•Journal of Bisexuality•2000

  • Another Kind of “Chilly Climate”

    Julie E Hartman•Journal of Bisexuality•2006

  • Inside, Outside, Nowhere

    Kirsten Mclean•Journal of Bisexuality•2008

  • Guidelines for Researching and Writing About Bisexuality

    Meg Barker, Jen Yockney et al.•Journal of Bisexuality•2012

  • The Bisexual Experience

    Mary Bradford•Journal of Bisexuality•2004

  • A Proposed Model of Bisexual Identity Development that Elaborates on Experiential Differences of Women and Men

    Tom Brown•Journal of Bisexuality•2002

  • The Black Sheep of the Pink Flock

    April Scarlette Callis•Journal of Bisexuality•2013

  • Desegregating Sexuality Research

    Deborah L Tolman, Lisa M Diamond•Annual Review of Sex Research•2001

  • The Disclosure to Families of Same-Sex Attractions by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths

    Ritch C Savin-Williams, Ritch C Savin‐william•Journal of Research on Adolescence•1998

  • Where is the ‘Women’s Community?’ Voices of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women and Heterosexual Sisters

    Open Access•Esther D Rothblum, Esther Rothblum•Feminism & Psychology•2010

  • Conceptualizing lesbian sexual identity development

    Open Access•Danielle N Shapiro, Desdamona Rios et al.•Feminism & Psychology•2010

  • Self‐segregation or self‐preservation? A critical race theory and Latina/o critical theory analysis of a study of Chicana/o college students

    Octavio Villalpando•International Journal of…•2003

  • Measuring Dimensions of Lesbian and Gay Male Experience

    Jonathan J Mohr, Jonathan Mohr et al.•Measurement and Evaluation in…•2000

  • Women’s Close Friendships across Sexual Orientation

    Open Access•M Paz Galupo•Sex Roles•2007

  • Beyond Similarities

    Open Access•Roberto Baiocco, Federica Santamaria et al.•Sex Roles•2014

  • Dual Attraction

    Michael S Kimmel, Martin S Weinberg et al.•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1995

  • Gay Men's Friendships

    Jammie Price, Peter M Nardi•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•2000

  • The Mirror Dance

    Deborah Goleman Wolf, Deborah Wolf et al.•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1984

  • Families We Choose

    Steven Seidman, K Weston•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1993

  • Gay women, men, and families in rural settings

    Open Access•Anthony R D’augelli, Anthony R D'Augelli et al.•American Journal of Community…•1987

  • Explaining Diversityin the Development of Same‐Sex Sexuality Among Young Women

    Open Access•Lisa M Diamond, Ritch C Savin‐william et al.•Journal of Social Issues•2000

  • Measuring Community Connectedness among Diverse Sexual Minority Populations

    D M Frost, Ilan H Meyer•The Journal of Sex Research•2011

  • Neutralizing the political threat of the marginal woman

    Paula C Rust•The Journal of Sex Research•1993

  • Perceived social support in gays and lesbians in cohabitating relationships

    Lawrence A Kurdek•Journal of Personality and Social…•1988

  • The Prevalence and Nature of Biphobia in Heterosexual Undergraduate Students

    Open Access•Michele J Eliason•Archives of Sexual Behavior•1997

  • Prejudice as Stress

    Ilan H Meyer•American Journal of Public Health•2003

  • Using thematic analysis in psychology

    Open Access•Braun, Virginia Braun et al.•Qualitative Research in Psychology•2006

  • Mapping the Margins

    Kimberlé Crenshaw, Kimberlé W Crenshaw•Stanford Law Review•1991

  • Internalized homophobia and relationship quality among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals

    D M Frost, Ilan H Meyer•Journal of Counseling Psychology•2009

  • "Beyond "Homophobia

    Gregory M Herek•Sexuality Research and Social…•2004

  • GL vs. BT

    Jillian T Wei, Jillian T Weiss•Journal of Bisexuality•2003

  • America's Liberalization in Attitudes Toward Homosexuality, 1973 to 1998

    Jeni Loftus•American Sociological Review•2001

  • The World Turned

    Louis Godbout, John D''Emilio et al.•Labour / Le Travail•2003

  • Coming Out for Lesbian Women

    Karen M Jordan, Robert H Deluty•Journal of Homosexuality•1998

  • Sense of Belonging to the General and Lesbian Communities as Predictors of Depression Among Lesbians

    Sue Mclaren, Suzanne Mclaren•Journal of Homosexuality•2009

  • A Multidimensional Approach to Homosexual Identity

    Janna L Horowitz, Michael D Newcomb•Journal of Homosexuality•2002

  • A Study of Lesbian Lifestyles in the Homosexual Micro-Culture and the Heterosexual Macro-Culture

    Joyce C Albro, Carol Tully et al.•Journal of Homosexuality•1979

  • The Formation of Homosexual Identities

    Richard R Troiden•Journal of Homosexuality•1989

  • Mental Health Issues

    Audrey S Koh, Leslie K Ro et al.•Journal of Homosexuality•2006

  • Homosexual Identity Formation

    Vivienne C Ca, Vivienne C Cass•Journal of Homosexuality•1979

  • Shiny happy same-sex attracted woman seeking same

    Mary Heath, Ea Mulligan•Health Sociology Review•2008

  • Components of Sexual Identity

    Michael G Shively, John P De Cecco•Journal of Homosexuality•1977

  • Sexual Orientation

    Fritz Klein, Barry Sepekoff et al.•Journal of Homosexuality•1985

  • Cross-category friendship patterns

    Open Access•M Paz Galupo•Journal of Social and Personal…•2009

  • The Mirror Dance

    Gilbert Zicklin, Susan Krieger•Social Forces•1985

  • Post-Gay Collective Identity Construction

    Amin Ghaziani•Social Problems•2011

  • Standing Out/Fitting In

    Open Access•David J Hutson•Symbolic Interaction•2010

  • Coming Out as Lesbian or Gay

    Vanessa E Ford•Journal of Human Behavior in the…•2004

  • More than Adding a T

    Open Access•A L Stone•Sexualities•2009

  • Discursive Constructions of Racial Boundaries and Self-Segregation on Campus

    Open Access•Richard Buttny•Journal of Language and Social…•1999

  • The Meaning of "Being Chinese" and "Being American

    Open Access•Jeanne L Tsai, Jeanne Tsai et al.•Journal of Cross-Cultural…•2000

  • Getting "Bi" in the Family

    Open Access•Kristin S Scherrer, Emily Kazyak et al.•Journal of Marriage and the Family•2015

  • Whose Gay Community? Social Class, Sexual Self-Expression, and Gay Community Involvement

    Open Access•Donald C Barrett, Lance M Pollack•Sociological Quarterly•2005

  • I Don't Like Passing as a Straight Woman

    C A Pfeffer•American Journal of Sociology•2014

Unique citing works14
Citations per year1,4
Citation span2016 - 2025 (10)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 14
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae