Normative monosexism, biphobia, and the experience of bisexual women: A content analysis of an online community
by Sweeney, Syreeta J., M.S., THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO, 2011, 82 pages; 1492132

Abstract:

This study examines life experiences of bisexual women as conveyed through the shared narratives between bisexual, homosexual, and heterosexual women in an online community with a large internet presence. I employed the Queer Theory perspective to build a framework for the research and employed a triangulated method of content analysis and survey data. Using non-intrusive methods, I analyzed and coded 2055 statements submitted to an online website regarding bisexual women and bisexuality into one or more of ten (10) different categories which include “Denial of Sexuality,” “Transitional Identity,” Invisibility or „Bi-Erasure.,” “Performing Bisexuality,” “Discrimination,” “Moral Judgment,” “Sexual/Emotional Promiscuity,” “Sexual Irresponsibility,” “Personally/Politically Disloyal,” and Trustworthiness”. In addition, I analyzed and coded 1722 survey responses generated from 41 non-bisexual survey respondents into similar categories in order to compare data sets. This was done in order to compare data sets and discover similarities and differences between two distinct populations (online community members and unaffiliated offline individuals).

Content analysis results showed that 53% of the sampled discussion threads contained expressions of biphobia or normative monosexism and 22% of the analyzed discussion board statements within each thread contained expressions of the same. Themes with the highest number of ratings were (in order of frequency from highest to lowest): “Denial of Bisexuality,” “Sexual/Emotional Promiscuity,” “Transitional Identity,” and “Discrimination. Content analysis results are discussed and compared with collected survey data. Similar results were found with the survey, only “Personally/Politically Disloyal” displaced “Sexual/Emotional Promiscuity”. Key results and implications are discussed.

 
AdviserRaquel R. Marquez
SchoolTHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO
SourceMAI/ 49-05, p. , Jun 2011
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsWomen's studies; GLBT studies; Sociology; Gender studies
Publication Number1492132
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1492132
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.