Adolescence, stereotypes, and visibility of bisexual women in scripted series: representations and educational proposals for the reduction of biphobia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-5462_48_1Keywords:
adolescence, bisexuality, stereotypes, fictional series, inclusive educationAbstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the perceived stereotypes about bisexual women in fictional series and to propose lines for the construction of inclusive educational policies. A total of 25 students from Barcelona (Spain), aged 13 to 17 years (M = 14.56; SD = 0.94; 48% girls), participated in this study. Six focus groups were conducted based on a semi-structured script using short excerpts from series in which stereotypical traits of bisexual girls appeared. The results show that there are obstacles that perpetuate the invisibility of bisexual women. In addition, stereotypes associated with promiscuity, confusion, and doubt about their sexual orientation are identified. The study highlights the need to implement inclusive educational programs in schools that take sexual minorities into account.
Downloads
References
Ajuntament de Barcelona. (2023). Escoles per la igualtat i la diversitat. https://igualtatidiversitat.edubcn.cat/el-programa/que-fem/
American Psychological Association. (2015). Key terms and concepts in understanding gender diversity and sexual orientation among students. https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/programs/safe-supportive/lgbt/key-terms.pdf
American Psychological Association. (2023). Inclusive language guide (2nd ed.).
https://www.apa.org/about/apa/equity-diversity-inclusion/language-guidelines.pdf
Andem, J. (Executive Producer). (2018-2020). Skam España [TV Series]. Movistar
Angulo-Brunet, A., Sánchez-Soriano, J.J., Vázquez-Tapia, E.A., & Vicente-Cruz, E. (2024). Video-on-demand series in education programmes to tackle gay male stereotypes in young people. the International Communication Gazette, 86(5), 379-398. https://doi.org/10.1177/17480485241259838
Ayoub, P. & Garretson, J. (2016). Getting the message out: Media context and global changes in attitudes toward homosexuality. Sage Journals, 50(8), 1055-1085. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010414016666836
Baams, L., Semon, J. & Van Aken, M.A. (2017). Comprehensive sexuality education as a longitudinal predictor of LGBTQ name-calling and perceived willingness to intervene in school. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(5), 931-942. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10964-017-0638-z
Blanco-Fernández, V., Ãñigo, A. & González-Aran, M. (2024). Teenagers, media usage, and attitudes toward LGBTIQ+ issues: An ethnographic approach to Barcelona’s students. International Journal of LGTBIQ+ Youth Studies, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2024.2412029
Callis, A. S. (2013). The black sheep of the pink flock: Labels, stigma, and bisexual identity. Journal of Bisexuality, 13(1), 82-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2013.755730
COGAM. (2021). Programa +TanGIBLe. https://cogam.es/tangible/
COGAM (2023, 14 de abril). Informe LGTBfobia en las aulas 2021-22. COGAM. https://cogam.es/informe-lgtbifobia-en-las-aulas-2021-22/
Concilia 2 Fundación. (s.d.). EducaIguales360. https://educarenigualdad.es/
De Pablo, M., & Vicente-Cruz, E. (2023). Heterossexualidades ressignificadas: Explorando o desejo de mulheres jovens heterossexuais por homens com desejos afetivo-sexual periférico. A A. Lacerda, A. Augusto y S. C. de Souza (Eds.), Juventude e periferia no século XXI (p.399-478). Syal Letras e Livros.
Diamond L. M. (2008). Female bisexuality from adolescence to adulthood: results from a 10-year longitudinal study. Developmental Psychology, 44(1), 5-14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.44.1.5
Duque, E. & Texidó, J. (2016). Bullying y Género. Prevención desde la organización escolar. REMIE “ Multidisciplinary Journal of Educational Research, 6(2), 176-204. https://doi.org/10.17583/remie.2016.2108
Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gais, Trans y Bisexuales (FELGTBI+). (2021). RED EDUCA. Campaña vuelta al cole. https://felgtbi.org/wp- content/uploads/2022/08/REDEDUCAv2022_felgtbi.pdf
Feinstein, B.A., Franco, M., Henderson, R.F., Collins, L.K., & Davari, J. (2019). A qualitative examination of bisexual identity invalidation and its consequences for wellbeing, identity and relationships. Journal of Bisexuality, 19 (4), 461-482. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2019.1671295
Francisco, A., Gónzalez-de-Garay, B. y Moliner, L. (2020). Between invisibility and homonormativity: LGTB+ referents for Spanish adolescents. Journal of LGTB Youth, 19(4), 448-468. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2020.1800548
Gegenfurtner, A. & Gebhardt, M. (2017). Sexuality education including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues in schools. Educational Research Review, 22(1), 215-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.10.002
Generalitat de Catalunya. (29 d’octubre de 2020). COEDUCA’T. Educació Inclusiva. https://projectes.xtec.cat/educacioinclusiva/general/coeducat/
GLAAD. (2024). Where we are on TV: 2023-2024 report. GLAAD Media Institute. https://glaad.org/whereweareontv23/
Gleason, N., Vencill, J. A., & Sprankle, E. (2018). Swipe left on the bi guys: Examining attitudes toward dating and being sexual with bisexual individuals. Journal of Bisexuality, 18(4), 516-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2018.1563935
Gobierno de Canarias (2024). Proyecto de inclusión Tagoror de Color. Narrando por la igualdad (Curso 2024-2025). https://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/medusa/procedimientos/convocatoria/tagoror-color-24-25/
González-de-Garay, B., Marcos-Ramos, M. & Angulo-Brunet, A. (2022). LGBT+ Characters in original Spanish Video-on-Demand Series. Sexuality & Culture. Sexuality & Culture, 27, 786-804. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-022-10038-y
Hernández, M. (2021). Resistencia bisexual. Mapas para una disidencia habitable. Filanderas. Revista Interdisciplinar de Estudios Feministas, (6), 85-89. https://doi.org/10.26754/ojs_filanderas/fil.202166266
Higueras-Ruíz, M.J., Gómez-Pérez, F.J., & Alberich-Pascual, J. (2018). Historical review and contemporary characterization of showrunner as profesional profile in TV series production: Traits, skills, competence, and style. Communication & Society, 31(1), 91-106. https://doi.org/10.15581/003.31.35721
Igartua, J. J., & Frutos, F. J. (2017). Enhancing attitudes toward stigmatized groups with movies: Mediating and moderating processes of narrative persuasion. International Journal of Communication, 11, 158-177. https://doi.org/10.14422/mig.i40.y2016.009
Montero, C., Madrona, D., Juaristi, I. & Betancor, D. (Executive Producers). (2018-2024). Elite [TV Series]. Zeta Studios Production.
Ramón, R. (2019). Las narrativas visuales y audiovisuales de ficción y la educación artística identitaria. European Journal of Child Development, Education and Psychopathology, 7(1), 5-14. https://doi.org/10.30552/ejpad.v7i1.84
Ramos-Monsivais, C.L. (2023). Inclusión de la formación de identidad y orientación sexual diversa en los Programas de Aprendizaje Socioemocional de Educación Secundaria. Revista Electrónica Educare, 27(3), 1-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.15359/ree.27-3.17191
Rashid, R. & Gordon, S. (Executive Producers). (2017-2021). Atypical [TV Series]. Netflix
Raya, I., Sáchez-Labella, I. & Durán, V. (2018). La construcción de los perfiles adolescentes en las series de Netflix Por trece razones y Atípico. Comunicación y medios, 27(37), 131-143. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-1529.2018.48631
Roberts, T. S., Horne, S. G., & Hoyt, W. T. (2015). Between a Gay and a Straight Place: Bisexual Individuals’Experiences with Monosexism. Journal of Bisexuality, 15(4), 554-569. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2015.1111183
Salinas, C. (2022). Contra el "privilegio" de quedarse calladas: mujeres bisexuales en resistencia. RELIES: Revista del Laboratorio Iberoamericano para el Estudio Sociohistórico de las Sexualidades, 8, 15-35. https://doi.org/10.46661/relies.6840
Sánchez-Soriano, J.J., García-Jiménez, L. & Rodrigo-Alsina, M. (2023). También podemos tener finales felices": recepción e interpretación de personajes LGTBIQ+ en series de televisión. Cuadernos. Info, (55), 22-45. https://doi.org/10.7764/cdi.55.53897
Soria, M.P., Tamariz, A. & Villagómez, K.M. (2023). La construcción de la identidad de género a través de estereotipos televisivos. Psicoeducativa: Reflexiones y propuestas, 3(6), 23-38.
Soto-Sanfiel, M.T. & Vázquez-Tapia, E.A. (2024). We deserve better: Spanish adolescents’perspectives of the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in fiction. International Journal of Communication, 18, 1-22. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/21000/4855
Tijoux, M.E., Amblado, C., Veloso, V., Clerc, C. & Osorio, C. (2022). Interrogando el concepto de estereotipo y su uso en las ciencias sociales en relación con el fenómeno racismo. Atenea, 526, 39-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.29393/at526-2icto50002
van Meer, M. M., & Pollmann, M. M. H. (2022). Media representations of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals on Dutch television and people’s stereotypes and attitudes about LGBs. Sexuality & Culture: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly, 26(2), 640-664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09913-x
Vicente-Cruz, E., Soto-Sanfiel, M.T. & Angulo-Brunet, A. (2025) Youth perceptions of male homosexuality: conceptions and stereotypes in Brazil. Archives of Sexual Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03206-2
Vicente-Cruz, E. & Subirana, P. (2023). Percepciones de adolescentes LGTB+ sobre el acoso en contextos sociales más igualitarios. Educación y Sociedad, 44. https://doi.org/10.1590/ES.265148
Vonlanthen, C., & Roy-Charland, A. (2025). Biphobia: A systematic literature review. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne, 66(1), 15-32. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000400
Yost, M. R., & Thomas, G. D. (2012). Gender and binegativity: Men’s and women’s attitudes toward male and female bisexuals. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41(3), 691-702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9767-8
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Media & Jornalismo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows sharing the work with recognition of authorship and initial publication in Antropologia Portuguesa journal.
SciELO
DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
Elektronischen Zeitschriftenbibliothek
