ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that visual methods may be particularly appropriate for the study of non-heteronormative sexualities and genders, particularly the more marginal identities and practices which have tended to be pathologized in, and excluded from, past research. It focuses on three of these: bisexuality, trans and polyamory. The chapter present an alternative to conventional interview/focus group discussion research involving the use of visual methods. Bisexuality has often been rendered invisible by the use of dichotomous categories of sexual orientation and mainstream psychological coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) sexualities overwhelmingly seeks biological correlates to explain difference from an assumed heterosexual norm. Helen, conducted both individual photo-diary research, and modelling workshops at the community bisexual conference, BiCon 2008, around the embodied experience of being bisexual at BiCon and in everyday life. Meg, decided to employ visual methods to study an aspect of polyamorous experience which had previously only been researched using linguistic data: jealousy and related emotions.
