Bisexuality
What exactly is bisexuality and why is it threatening to so many straight people as well as many gay men and lesbians? Some believe that bisexuality is a third kind of sexual identity, between or beyond homosexuality and heterosexuality. Is this the case, or is bisexuality something that puts in question the very concept of sexual identity in the first place? Are bisexuals "just gay and lesbian people who are afraid to admit they are gay" (Eliason 1997), or are they people who have "sexual attraction towards or sexual behavior with persons of both genders"? (Fox 1996) The fact is that public perception of bisexuals is based largely on a series of stereotypes that seem to challenge our cultural norms and beliefs related to sexuality, relationships, intimacy, and gender. Some of these stereotypes may include that bisexuals: don't exist, are confused, need to date a man and woman, have the best of both worlds, and spread AIDS. In general, many of these stereotypes can be fact!ual, based on fact, or completely inaccurate. Bisexuality is simply defined as having sexual desire for people of the same and opposite gender. (Patrick, 417) In the Boswell article, it is said "People consider themselves 'homosexual' or 'heterosexual' b
ecause they are induced to believe that humans are either 'homosexual' or 'heterosexual'. (Boswell, 34) The same holds true for bisexuality, as well as any other sexual orientation. People consider themselves to be bisexual because they are induced to believe that people are indeed bisexual. Furthermore, it is argued that without such processes or socialization, people would simply be sexual. (Boswell, 34) dered to be a "disease-carrier" because she had sex with men. This was definitely not the case, as I knew her personally and knew none of those stigmatizations were true. The DeBoer article also argues "While the stereotypes might be true for certain individuals, they hardly represent all bisexual people." (DeBoer, 482) I asked her how she felt about it, and she said, "Personally, I am tired of it. Straight communities need to learn that we are not gay, but instead somewhere in the middle of the sexual continuum, and the gay communities need to learn that we want the same thing as them, to have the freedom to love whomever we wish without consequence." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ain behind the mantle of gay communities, and only now, some 30 years after Stonewall, they are making themselves known. (Garber, 423) Sure, there was a "bisexual chic" in both the Twenties and the Seventies, but can we in the Nineties really relate to them? (Patrick, 417) How can modern bisexual women relate to the few bisexual men who were out and proud in the seventies? They helped pave some of the way, but now in this decade have bisexuals have really begun to make a mark for themselves. Now they have so many stars, both men and women, come out as bisexual that it is easier for them to have someone to look up to. obsessed with sex (Eliason 1997), disloyal, and often bed hopping (Ault 1996). Yes, there is some truth behind these stereotypes; some people have contracted AIDS from bisexuals - specifically bisexual men, but not enough to warrant the stereotype. Risky behaviors and unprotected sex put people at much more risk for AIDS than their partners stated orientation (Deacon et al. 1996). The fact is that most bisexuals are monogamous. As another member of the panel in class mentioned, someone that finds both blue and brown eyes attractive does not need to be in a relationship with two people; neither do bisexuals. (Lecture) Although they are often accused of havi
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1637
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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