We're Here and We're Queer

Sexual Orientation and Sexual Fluidity Differences Between Bisexual and Queer Women

Bibliographic Data

ID12759232
AuthorsEthan H Mereish (0000-0003-4655-0836, Brown University, corresponding author), Sabra L Katz-Wise (0000-0003-4825-6673, Boston Children's Hospital), Julie Woulfe (Boston College)
Year2016
Volume17
Issue1
Pages125-139
Publication date2016-08-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Bisexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1529-9716 • E-ISSN: 1529-9724
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15299716.2016.1217448
PMID29249909
OpenAlexW2517439134
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited37

Theorists and researchers have noted an overlap between bisexually-identified and queer-identified individuals. Whereas early definitions of bisexuality may have been predominantly binary (i.e., attracted to women and men), in recent years there has been a move toward a more "queer" understanding of bisexuality (e.g., attraction to more than one gender beyond female and male). The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences between bisexually-identified and queer-identified adult women, ages 18-66 years, on sociodemographic characteristic, two dimensions of sexual orientation (sexual behaviors and attractions), fluidity in attractions and sexual orientation identity, and identity centrality and affirmation in an online sample ( N = 489), which was mostly from the United States (73.5%). Our results indicated that bisexual and queer women were similar in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, with the exception of education; queer women were more educated than bisexual women. Queer women were also more likely than bisexual women to report variability in their sexual behaviors and attractions and more fluidity in their sexual orientation identity. Additionally, queer women reported higher levels of identity centrality and affirmation than bisexual women. Considerations for sexual minority women's health research are discussed

Art · Developmental psychology · Human sexuality · Identity (music · Queer · Sexual identity · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Sociology · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology

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