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Introduction & purpose

Negative attitudes toward bisexuals have been documented among heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. They are negatively stereotyped as promiscuous, untrustworthy, indecisive, coward, and the bearers of HIV. Older bisexual adults may then experience various forms of discrimination (ageism, heterosexism and binegativity), which will lead to marginalization and invisibility. The aim of this review is to present some of the key aspects of aging bisexuals in the relationships relevant for the sexual health professional, focusing on the most important issues highlighted in the literature.

Population sample

Older bisexual men and women with many different types of relationships were taken into account, from monogamous heterosexual relationships to monogamous same-gender relationships to polyamorous relationships.

Method(s)

A systematic search of published online articles was performed using PsychInfo and Pubmed.

Findings & discussion

Literature shows that older bisexuals live in families with very different arrangements, including step-families, same-gendered parents and single-parent families. Good communication about bisexuality and other marital issues were found to be the key of the couple satisfaction. Mixed-orientation couples, especially in the aging, face problems stemming from the dichotomizing of sexuality, negative myths and stereotypes, and lack of awareness of models and resources. It can be particularly problematic when a partner's bisexuality is first addressed within a committed relationship, especially if sexological problems arise.

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