Bisexuality: Overview and Definitions

  • Benedict Carey's Article:

    • Published on July 5, 2005, in the New York Times.

    • Addressed whether “true bisexuality exists” as a “distinct and stable sexual orientation.”

  • Definition of Bisexuality:

    • An identity characterized by sexual attraction to both sexes.

    • Traditionally marginalized within both heterosexual and homosexual communities.

    • Often viewed as a transitional phase rather than a stable identity.

  • Historical Context:

    • Bisexuality illustrates crucial engagements with women’s issues, social ideologies, and activism.

    • Labeled by some as “You’re either gay, straight, or lying.”

  • Complexity in Definition:

    • Depends on broader discussions of gender, sex, and sexuality.

    • Defined on a basic level as behavior and/or attraction to both sexes.

  • Cultural Perspectives:

    • Kate Millett: Proposed that heterosexual societies repress innate bisexuality.

    • The term has evolved from signifying biological structures to denoting sexual orientation since the late 19th century.

Historical Usage and Views

  • Etymology and Early Usage:

    • Introduced in 1859 in Robert B. Todd’s text.

    • Marked as liminal, challenging the binary sex-gender system.

  • Early Theorists:

    • C. G. Chaddock (1892): Suggested underlying latent bisexuality in sexual orientation discussions.

  • Contemporary Theorists:

    • John Bancroft proposed a decreasing polarization between homosexuality and heterosexuality, marking bisexuality as integral to the human experience.

    • Sexual orientation definitions have evolved, reflecting deeper psychological and emotional dimensions rather than just anatomical.

  • Surveys and Studies:

    • Alfred Kinsey’s studies in the 1940s and 1950s revealed bisexual experiences among heterosexual and homosexual populations, which emphasized sexual behavior over identity.

    • A 2002 survey indicated 1.8% of men and 2.8% of women identifying as bisexual in specific age ranges.

Theoretical Perspectives

  • Contradictions and Dependency:

    • Bisexuality’s recognition is complicated by heterosexist structures that regulate sexuality discourse.

  • Sigmund Freud's Contributions (1910):

    • Introduced the idea of innate bisexuality, asserting that monosexual identities are the result of various societal and developmental factors.

    • Positioned bisexuality as a normal developmental phase rather than a deviation.

  • Alfred Kinsey and the Kinsey Scale:

    • Kinsey’s scale ranges from 0 (exclusively heterosexual) to 6 (exclusively homosexual) with an ‘x’ for asexuality.

    • Emphasized sexual behavior over strict categories of sexuality.

  • Fritz Klein’s Multidimensional Approach:

    • Introduced the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid to measure sexual orientation fluidity across dimensions including experiences, fantasies, and identity.

Activism and Community Representation

  • Bi-phobia and Bisexual Erasure:

    • Bi-phobia reflects societal distrust toward bisexual individuals, leading to stereotypes such as the non-existence of bisexuality or associating it with promiscuity.

    • Bisexual erasure involves the omission or denial of bisexual identities in historical accounts and media, often reconstructing individuals as exclusively gay or straight.

  • Key Activist Figures and Organizations:

    • Robyn Ochs: Key figure in bisexual activism; founded the Boston Bisexual Network and the Bisexual Resource Center.

    • Loraine Hutchins: Co-edited significant anthologies and focused on bisexual and transgender issues.

    • Jennifer Baumgardner: Fused bisexual identity with feminist discourse through her contributions and activism.

  • Impact of Popular Culture:

    • Bisexual representation has evolved from negative stereotypes in media, particularly highlighting promiscuity, to more nuanced portrayals in shows and literature.

    • Notable figures include Ani DiFranco, Drew Barrymore, and others who contribute to bisexual visibility and acceptance.

Social Acceptance and Challenges

  • Current State of Acceptance:

    • Bisexuals still face stigma and misunderstandings within both heterosexual and LGBTQ communities.

  • Mental Health Impact:

    • Studies indicate higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation among bisexual individuals due to social isolation and lack of acceptance compared to homosexual and heterosexual counterparts.

  • Discrimination and Legal Considerations:

    • Bisexual individuals face discrimination in various regions, as evidenced by differing asylum success rates between male and female bisexuals in countries like Canada.

    • The legal recognition of bisexuality as a valid sexual orientation frequently encounters pitfalls in refugee law and immigration policies.

References and Further Readings

  • Baumgardner, Jennifer. Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007.

  • Carey, Benedict. “Straight, Gay or Lying? Bisexuality Revisited.” New York Times (July 5, 2005).

  • Freud, Sigmund. Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. Translated by James Strachey. New York: Basic, 2000.

  • Kinsey, Alfred. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1948.

  • McLean, Kirsten. “Silences and Stereotypes: The Impact of (Mis)Constructions of Bisexuality on Australian Bisexual Men and Women.” Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review, v.4/3 (2008).

  • Pitts, M. and M. Couch. “Bisexuality and Health Psychology—Strange Bedfellows?” Health Psychology Update, v.14/2 (2005).

  • Rehaag, Sean. “Bisexuals Need Not Apply: A Comparative Appraisal of Refugee Law and Policy in Canada, the United States, and Australia.” International Journal of Human Rights, 13/2,3 (2009).

  • Wockner, Rex. “Group: Sweden Is Europe’s Gay-Friendliest Country.” Between the Lines News, v.1822 (June 3, 2010).