Bisexual people often encounter prejudice, discrimination, and misunderstanding from society that can impact their ability to find spiritual or existential fulfillment. This paper will explore how bisexual individuals conceptualize these concepts in different social contexts.
It is important to understand what spiritual and existential fulfillment mean for bisexual individuals. For some, spiritual fulfillment may involve finding meaning and purpose in life through religious or spiritual practices. Existential fulfillment could be found in connecting with oneself, others, and nature. Bisexuals are not necessarily more likely than heterosexuals or homosexuals to experience challenges in achieving these things due to their sexual orientation.
They may face unique challenges related to coming out and being accepted as bisexual.
Bisexual individuals may face moralization or pathologizing of their sexuality in certain settings such as religion, politics, or popular culture. In these contexts, bisexuality is often viewed as a sin or abnormal behavior rather than an expression of identity. This can lead to shame, guilt, and difficulty finding supportive communities. It can also prevent bisexuals from exploring their own beliefs and values without fear of judgment.
To cope with these challenges, many bisexuals turn to online groups, therapy, or personal relationships where they feel safe expressing themselves openly. They may seek out positive representations of bisexuality in media or look for role models who embrace their identities. Some may even question the validity of traditional morality or search for alternative frameworks that better fit their experiences.
Bisexual individuals have diverse perspectives on spiritual and existential fulfillment based on their individual backgrounds, circumstances, and experiences. It is important for society to recognize and respect bisexual identities while creating space for them to explore and grow spiritually and existentially. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and accepting world for all sexual orientations.
How do bisexual individuals conceptualize spiritual or existential fulfillment in contexts where sexuality is moralized or pathologized?
According to a recent study, bisexuals may have difficulty accessing mental health services due to the stigma associated with their sexual orientation (Kamerman & Chambers, 2019). As such, they often turn to alternative sources of support, including online communities and social media platforms, to seek information about their identity and experiences (Murray et al. , 2020).