In contemporary societies, romantic relationships are often constructed around heteronormative expectations where partners identify themselves as either straight or gay/lesbian.
There is an increasing recognition that people may experience attraction to multiple genders simultaneously. This phenomenon has been termed bisexuality. Bisexuality involves experiencing both homo- and heterosexual desires. Such individuals can have strong emotional bonds with people of the same gender, and they can also develop affection for members of the opposite gender. Bisexuals usually face rejection from society due to their unconventional orientation and lack of understanding about them. While some scholars argue that bisexuality is a real phenomenon, others view it as a way for individuals to avoid commitment.
Researchers suggest that bisexuality is a distinct sexual identity that requires its own unique relational narratives. In this article, I will explore how bisexuals integrate experiences of desire, affirmation, and rejection into coherent relational narratives.
How do bisexual individuals navigate through different social settings?
When it comes to dating, bisexuals typically encounter difficulties due to their ambiguous sexual identities.
Many people assume that bisexuals want sex from any available partner regardless of their gender and fail to understand the underlying meaning of their romantic relationships. Therefore, when in heterosexual environments, bisexuals feel alienated because they do not fit in well with the dominant culture. On the other hand, bisexuals who identify with the LGBTQ community often find it difficult to make sense of their relationships because most lesbians and gays are wary of straight men's involvement. As such, bisexuals need to create their unique relational narratives that cater to their needs and those of their partners.
Desire plays an essential role in creating relational narratives.
Bisexual individuals tend to experience conflicting emotions regarding their desires. One of the significant challenges faced by bisexuals is figuring out whether to come out or hide their sexual orientation. When coming out, bisexuals may be rejected by either homo- or heterosexuals but acceptance by one group can mean rejection by another.
Some bisexuals worry about whether coming out will ruin their relationship. Thus, they may choose to remain closeted to avoid societal stigma, but this can lead to internal conflict, which affects how they integrate desire into their relational narratives. Bisexuals must balance both emotional and physical attraction to multiple genders to form coherent relational narratives. Some bisexuals may be attracted to a particular person while being involved with someone else, which complicates their identity development and makes them feel guilty for wanting to have sex with different partners.
How do bisexual individuals integrate experiences of desire, affirmation, and rejection into coherent relational narratives?
Bisexuals experience a wide range of challenges when it comes to navigating their sexuality due to the stigma surrounding bisexuality. Bisexual people may struggle with feelings of confusion and shame related to their attractions, as well as experiencing discrimination from both heterosexual and homosexual communities. This can lead them to feel isolated and alone, which can impact their ability to form meaningful connections with others.