Antonia Clifford, M.S.W
Brian Mustanski, Ph.D.
Medical Social Sciences
Bisexuality, stigma, measure development, discrimination, sexual orientation
Third Floor, Feinberg Pavilion, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Past research indicates that bisexual individuals report experiencing stigma from both heterosexual and gay/lesbian communities, although little research has compared these experiences of stigmatization. This poster examines bisexual men’s experiences of stigma and discrimination from gay/lesbian versus heterosexual individuals using data from 40 bisexual men who were part of a larger cohort of young men who have sex with men (RADAR). Bisexual men were asked four original questions about stigma/discrimination and responses were compared with an existing measure of bisexual stigma (the Anti-Bisexual Experiences Scale, ABES) to test the validity of this brief new measure. OBJECTIVE: To compare bisexual men’s experiences of stigma and discrimination from gay/lesbian versus heterosexual individuals. This study analyses data from a sub-sample of bisexual men (N = 40) from a larger cohort of young men who have sex with men ages 16-29 in Chicago. Participants were recruited through various methods (e.g., in-person, online, peers/partners) and reported either a sexual minority orientation or sex with men within the past year. The average age was 21.43 years and 45% were African American, 40% Latino, 10% White, and 5% Asian/multiracial/other. As part of the larger study, participants complete a study visit twice a year over the course of five years. Starting in November 2016, bisexual-identified men received additional questions about stigma and discrimination from heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals. Of the four original items, two referred to perceptions of judgment and negative attitudes (r = .696, p<.01) and two referred to experiences of discrimination and concerns about disclosure (r = .647, p<.01). To our surprise, perceptions of judgment/negative attitudes were not significantly associated with experiences of discrimination and concerns about disclosure. When these items were compared to the ABES, higher perceptions of judgment/negative attitudes from gay/lesbian individuals (relative to heterosexual individuals) were significantly associated with higher perceptions that gay/lesbian individuals believe that bisexuality is not a stable sexual orientation and that bisexuals are sexually irresponsible (rs= .433 - .453, ps < .01). Additionally, higher reports of discrimination from heterosexuals and disclosure concerns were significantly associated with higher perceptions that heterosexuals believe that bisexuality is not a stable sexual orientation and hostility from heterosexuals (rs=.319 - .504, ps <.05). Findings provide preliminary support for the validity of a brief measure of bisexual stigma. Additionally, findings suggest that perceptions of judgments/negative attitudes are not correlated with experiences of discrimination and disclosure concerns among bisexual men. These findings have important implications for efforts to reduce bisexual stigma and related health disparities.