The Bisexual Youth of Color Intersecting Identities Development Model: A Contextual Approach to Understanding Multiple Marginalization Experiences

This article introduces the bisexual youth of color (BYOC) intersecting identities development model. Grounded in literature regarding racial/ ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning (LGBQQ), gender identity and adolescent identity development, this model assumes an ecological perspective (Bronfrenbrenner, 1989) in exploring the complexity of intersecting identities for bisexual youth of color. This model represents a dynamic conceptualization of the fluidity with which the identities of sexually fluid youth of color may continually evolve in response to changes within the micro-system and macrosystem of their lives. With potential applications for practice, research, and training, the BYOC intersecting identities development model seeks to fundamentally change clinical, empirical and pedagogical conversations about the identity development of bisexual youth of color.