Sexual identity visibility, mental health, and body dissatisfaction in bisexual cisgender men: associations with straight and gay community bi-negativity

Bisexual cisgender men experience stigma from both straight and LGBTQ+ communities, yet the sources and pathways of harm are rarely disaggregated. We examined how bi-negativity from straight and gay communities relates to sexual identity visibility (outness), mental health and well-being, and body dissatisfaction. In a pre-registered study of UK-based bisexual cisgender men (N = 200; 80.5% White), participants completed measures of bi-negativity, sexual identity visibility, mental health and well-being, body dissatisfaction, and perceived gay community stress. Straight community bi-negativity was associated with poorer mental health and well-being, which in turn was associated with greater body dissatisfaction; no serial mediation pathway via sexual identity visibility emerged. Gay community bi-negativity showed no direct relationship to body dissatisfaction or mental health and well-being, but was positively associated with sexual identity visibility and indirectly linked to better mental health via increased visibility, contrary to our predictions. Perceived gay community stress did not moderate pathways from gay community bi-negativity. Findings show distinct routes by which dual-source bi-negativity influences bisexual men’s mental health and well-being and body image, underscoring the urgency of reducing straight community prejudice and supporting bisexual visibility.