Bi-Invisibility: A Phenomenological Exploration of Same-Sex Casual Encounters

Sexual behaviors do not always align with a person's sexual orientation. This article seeks to explore the experiences of those who sexually identify as heterosexual or mostly heterosexual and engage in same-sex sexual behavior. The authors sought to understand what led the individuals to this particular type of encounter, the behaviors associated with the encounter, how the encounters were described by the participants, and the overall affect that gender has on the experience. This phenomenological study included a sample of 14 men and six women from an online source in which the individuals described their experiences. The authors found 11 themes that were organized within three categories: before, during, and after. This study revealed diverse motivations for engaging in a same-sex encounter, as well as a gender difference in the overall impact of the experience. Implications and future research directions are discussed.