To „Bi“ or not to „Bi“ - Are Bisexuals Twofold Discriminated Group?

Abstract

Bisexuality (BS) denotes romantic or sexual attraction toward both men and women. Previous research of attitudes toward bisexuals suggests that they are sometimes discriminated by heterosexual majority, as well as within the LGB community. This could be due to social identity interplay: if BS is percieved as a hybrid identity, both heterosexuals and homosexuals could perceive them as outgroups. Alternatively, homosexuals could perceive BS as an ingroup, being a part of the same discriminated LGBT population. Following this argumentation, we explored whether more salient heterosexual or homosexual identity leads to more negative attitudes toward BS, or more identification with owngroup leads to more negative attitudes in heterosexuals, but more positive attitudes in homosexuals. To measure attitudes toward BS we constructed a scale (Cronbach’s α=.94); we adapted Affirmation and belonging and Outgroup orientation from Phinney’s Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure, to measure salience of social identity based on sexual orientation. In addition, subjects assessed the discrimination faced by hetero/homo/bisexual groups. A total of 396 participants (females: 66%, males 34%; heterosexuals: 64%, homosexuals 36%) took part in the research. The questionnaire was created in an online platform and distributed via social media, using the snowballing technique. Attitude toward BS was more positive in homosexual group than in the heterosexual group (t(394)=4.123, p<.001), and its predictors differed in heterosexual and homosexual subsamples. Linear regression showed that, in heterosexuals, two most important predictors were two measures of heterosexual identity: outgroup orientation (β=.412, p<.001), affirmation and belonging (β=-.240, p<.001), followed by percieved discrimination of BS women (β=.167, p=.011) and percieved discrimination of BS men (β=.147, p=.026). The model explained 45.2% of the variance. In homosexuals, however, different model emerged: percieved discrimination of BS men was the only significant predictor (β=.41; p<.001), while two measures of homosexual identity were not significant predictors. The model explained 17% of the variance. Our results do not support the idea of twofold discrimination of BS group – it seems that in heterosexual majority, more identification with the ingroup lead to less acceptance of the BS; however, in homosexual minority, this relation was not replicated, and most important predictor of attitude was perceived discrimination of BS men.