British South Asian and bisexual

: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the male perspective

Abstract

This research study aimed to explore phenomenological elements in the experiences of British South Asian Males who are Bisexual (BSAMB).

Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology and method, data was collected from six participants. Each participant identified being British South Asian (with an ethnic origin from the South Asian subcontinent; India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka); Second or Third generation (defined as born in the UK) and self-identified as Bisexual or Bi-curious.

Data analysis resulted in the generation of three superordinate themes; “Otherness and being Othered,” (referring to thoughts, feelings and experiences of being from a racial and sexual minority background) “Development and growth in sexuality,” (referring to exploration and growth around concepts of sexual identity, race, and the journey of self-discovery) and “The experience and difficulties in finding one’s self,” (exploring the experiences of what happens once participants become aware of who they are in the context of their backgrounds).

These participants indicated that difficulties arose in discussing issues around sex and sexuality when coming from a South Asian background, namely; (1) a lack of language and conceptualisation to discuss their sexuality (2) the challenge of engaging with disinterested communities and (3) finding themselves misunderstood. It is therefore suggested that therapeutic practice takes into consideration issues of male sexual and racial minorities and how to facilitate that discussion within harder to reach communities in the future.

Date of Award	15 Jun 2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Roehampton
Supervisor	Igi Moon (Director of Studies) & Anastasios Gaitanidis (Co-Supervisor)