Bouchorikou, D. and Tragantzopoulou, G. 2026. Bi-Tween Worlds: A Qualitative Exploration of Bisexual Identity Demarcation by Gay and Lesbian Members of the Greek LGBTQ+ Community. Journal of Bisexuality. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2026.2634901
| Title | Bi-Tween Worlds: A Qualitative Exploration of Bisexual Identity Demarcation by Gay and Lesbian Members of the Greek LGBTQ+ Community |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Bouchorikou, D. and Tragantzopoulou, G. |
| Abstract | This qualitative study examines intra-community biphobia in Greece through semi-structured interviews with 10 gay and lesbian participants. Using thematic analysis, the findings identify a process through which bisexuality is delegitimized, moralized, and symbolically marginalized within LGBTQ+ spaces. Participants frequently shifted from describing bisexuality as unstable or transitional to judging it in moral terms—questioning sincerity, reliability, and relational commitment. These moralized evaluations functioned as mechanisms of boundary maintenance, legitimizing relational distancing and reinforcing community hierarchies. Gendered patterns of exclusion emerged, with male bisexuality often reframed as covert homosexuality and female bisexuality sexualized or treated as performative. Situated within the Greek sociocultural context, the analysis illustrates how Orthodox-influenced moral norms, heteronormativity, and limited bisexual visibility intensify intragroup regulation and symbolic marginalization. By centering gay and lesbian perspectives, this study advances bisexual theory by demonstrating how binegativity is reproduced through interconnected processes of emotional interpretation, moral reasoning, and community boundary enforcement. The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions to foster genuine inclusion within LGBTQ+ advocacy and community spaces. |
| Keywords | Biphobia, Bisexuality, LQBTQ+ community, Gender Stereotypes, Greece |
| Journal | Journal of Bisexuality |
| ISSN | 1529-9716 |
| 1529-9724 | |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| Publisher's version | License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2026.2634901 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published online | 24 Feb 2026 |