Living Life Beyond Binaries- Bisexuality in Urban India

Title

Living Life Beyond Binaries- Bisexuality in Urban India

Creator

Dias, Marian; Om Prakash, L.T.

Description

This qualitative study aimed to understand the lived realities of bisexual individuals in a society predominantly perceived through a binary lens. Describing the term bisexual by orientation as individuals who engage in same-sex and opposite-sex intimacies, taking into account several factors, that include but are not reducible to the sex and gender of the self and others. The research employed an ethnographic approach with a group of Indian adults. Interestingly, the study revealed that the participants did not consider bisexuality as a central component of their sexual behavior and identity, instead utilizing specific strategies to maintain a heterosexual facade while engaging in same-sex encounters. They regarded these encounters as part of their overall sexual experiences, distinct from a fixed sexual identity and relationships. Contrary to the prevailing notion that bisexuals must suppress their genders attraction to be in monogamous relationships, the participants affirmed being in monogamous relationships. They devised discreet methods to partake in same-sex encounters, safeguarding their monogamous relationships without feeling compelled to openly disclose their same-sex inclinations. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Source

Journal of Bisexuality;Volume;25;Issue;4;pp.660-695

Date

01-01-2025

Publisher

Routledge

Subject

beyond binaries; Bisexuality; heterosexually identified; lived experiences; sexual identity; sexual orientation

Coverage

Dias M., Department of Sociology, Christ University, Bangalore, India; Om Prakash L.T., Department of Sociology, Christ University, Bangalore, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISSN: 15299716;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2025.2541162

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012540971?origin=resultslist