Stress and Resilience in Bi+ People’s Conversations About Hate Speech

Bi+ (attracted to more than one gender) individuals experience unique stress and marginalization from LGBTQIA+ and heterosexual communities due to monosexism and biphobia. Informed by minority stress theory and models of meaning-making, this study sought to understand the characteristics and impacts of hate speech as recalled by 18 bi+ individuals (ages 18–35, primarily white) to a trusted confidant. A thematic analysis of their recollections of an incident of hate speech identified three themes: The Power Behind Words, Confronting and Situating Hurt, and Charting a Course Forward. The findings highlight the long-term impacts of hate speech, how bi+ individuals make sense of their experiences in relation to their identity, and how they enact resilience. Participants also noted decreased feelings of safety, increased isolation, and poorer mental health due to hate speech. The importance of conversational meaning-making is underscored, offering practical implications for how to support communities navigating distal and proximal stressors.