About the project
This study explores how the intersection of gender identity and sexuality influences sexual risk taking. It focuses on the experiences of bisexual men: a minoritised sexual orientation often overlooked and marginalised from both mainstream heterosexual culture and gay communities
Our past research has highlighted the diversity of masculinities among gay men, and the ways in which this is related to sexual positioning and sexual practices, including propensity for sexual risk taking. Similarly, research with heterosexual men has highlighted how their beliefs about masculinity and their own masculine identities influence risk taking in a range of contexts, including sexual behaviour. It is not known how or whether these findings play out among bisexual men. This gap should be addressed because increasing numbers of people report bisexual identities and/or experiences. Furthermore, bisexuality is often misunderstood and is under-studied in sexualities research. Additionally, data indicate that bisexual men who have sex with men and women are at a higher risk of infection from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections than men who have sex with men only.
Data collection involved 21 semi-structured experiential interviews focused on men’s beliefs about masculinity, their own masculine identity, and how their feelings of masculinity are related to different sexual practices with female and male partners. Analysis is ongoing.