“He did, however, go overseas and brought his male partner back. My husband is displacing his anger and taking it out me.He threatened her not to say anything to their religious and ethnic community, and she basically became their housekeeper and for the mother of his children.” Women who found themselves in these situations were conflicted on two levels, the researchers found. But then the second level is: I can understand why he has mental health issues because he also has experienced incredible pain and suffering for his same-sex attractions.” The lack of diverse sex education, which includes LGBT stories, is partly to blame for these issues between women and bisexual men and why this pairing is poorly understood, says Dr Pallotta-Chiarolli.
They also were less likely to value unequal and traditional gender roles, according to Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, Senior Lecturer in Social Diversity in Health and Education at Deakin University and the co-author of the book .
“Because of this, these men were far more sensitive and desired to establish an equitable relationship. They were keen fathers and wanted to set up equitable gender relationships in the home.
When the men did not feel comfortable coming out, misogyny and violence continued to be issues.
This was generally a response to “incredible stigmatisation, marginalisation, and discrimination for their bisexuality,” says Dr Pallotta-Chiarolli “One example was of a man who basically married his female partner to cover his same-sex attractions,” says Dr Pallotta-Chiarolli.
In one case, a bisexual man made it clear he would be seeing other men but banned her from dating anyone else and confined her to their home to take care of their children. That’s what contributed to an unhealthy relationship,” she says.
Some couples found that while their relationship was stable, that they struggled to find acceptance in others.
Research has found that men who are bisexual - and feel comfortable being out - are better in bed - and the relationship develops - more caring long-term partners and fathers.
Some women who took part in an Australian study even said they would never be able to go back to dating straight men at all.
Additionally, the men were far more aware of sexual diversity and desire, so these men were more willing to engage in less heteronormative sexual acts, such as liking anal penetration by their women partners. Many women found themselves exploring BDSM, polyamory, and were themselves encouraged to explore same-sex relationships.
"We had some women who said that after dating a bi man, they could never go back to dating a straight man." Despite these findings, says Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, such pairings are little understood, both academically and among the public.
She has written for The Associated Press and "Jezebel," "Charleston," "Chatter" and "Reach" magazines.