“I Don't Know If She Is Bisexual or If She Just Wants to Get Attention”: Analyzing the Various Mechanisms Through Which Emerging Adults Invisibilize Bisexuality

Although homophobia seems to be on the decline in North America, there seems to be somewhat conflicting academic data on the acceptance of bisexuality as a legitimate form of sexuality and identity. This article explores how bisexuality is represented in emerging adults' discourses about sexuality. More specifically, the authors highlight four mechanisms through which their participants invisibilize bisexuality: (1) ignoring bisexuality, (2) depicting bisexuality as temporary, (3) making it almost impossible to be a ‘real' bisexual, and (4) devaluing bisexuality. The authors argue that although their participants acknowledge bisexual practices, feelings, or desires in others and/or themselves, bisexuality as a legitimate life-long identity and lifestyle is often forgotten or denied as a possibility. In addition, the authors argue that gender shapes the way bisexuality is perceived, and they highlight how it affects the paradoxical recognition/invisibilization relationship that their participants maintain with bisexuality.