| The current study focused on the language of bisexuality. Participants had to be over the age of 18 and attracted to both men and women. Twenty six percent of participants were ethnic minorities. Thirty four participants were interviewed for the study using a semi-structured interview. The participants were given two semantic differentials assessing the underlying association(s) of the word bisexual and a new word, gre/ayt. Using content analysis themes were created. When asked how they felt about the label bisexual, 67% of participants stated they were either dissatisfied or ambivalent towards the label bisexual. When asked if they wanted a new label to describe bisexuality, 59% of participants stated they either wished for a new term or came up with ideas for a new term. Participants discussed the negative stereotypes surrounding the term bisexual and their preference to use the word queer in lieu of bisexual. Statistical differences between the semantic differentials for bisexual and gre/ayt showed that participants associated the word gre/ayt as being more new than bisexual and bisexual as being more promiscuous than gre/ayt. These results are important for clinicians who work with people in the LGBTQIQ communities as labels and language can help build community, self esteem, and self efficacy. |
