Syllabus: Introduction to Bisexual theory (original) (raw)

Bisexual theory has emerged within the last decade as a discipline aligned with critical theory,queer theory and gay and lesbian studies. This course will introduce students to this new discipline through its key writings and concepts. Students will make use of material from the social sciences, psychology, law, and activist writings. No prior knowledge of bisexuality is required, though some work in gender studies, sexual ethics, or cultural studies would be useful.

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Troubling the Canon

Journal of Homosexuality, 2006

This essay explores the notion that bisexuality and contemporary bisexual political movements both align and trouble canons of queer theories of sexuality and gender. This project provides an historical review and assessment of recent bisexual theorizing to highlight key themes in its evolution as well as a discussion of how these themes have shaped the relationship of bisexuality and queer theory. Drawing on this assessment and a wider discussion of GLBT scholarship, we invite critical inquiry regarding the implications of bisexual theorizing on queer theory and vice versa. We address questions of bisexual epistemologies, its discursive roles within queer theory, and its impact on queer politics and organizing. Noting bisexuality's absence in much of this research and scholarship, we suggest these projects have been limited in their ability to fully and effectively address sexual subjectivity both in theory and in its everyday lived experience.

The Sociological Review Is bisexuality invisible? A review of sexualities scholarship 1970–2015

This article provides a review of sexualities scholarship within the social sciences between 1970 and 2015. It takes an innovative approach by focusing on the way in which bisexuality is addressed in this body of literature. The article reveals the marginalisation, under-representation and invisibility of bisexuality within and across the social sciences in relation to both bisexual experience and identity. Reasons for this varied across the different eras, including the heterosexist nature of the literature, the impact of gay and lesbian-focused identity politics, and queer deconstructionism. In addition, patterns of bisexual erasure and invisibility were uneven, with some scholarship taking inclusive approaches or criticising prejudice against bisexuality. The initial findings of the review were enriched by critical commentary from key relevant sociologists and political scientists. The article concludes that future sexualities scholarship could be enhanced by greater consideration of bisexuality.

Embracing the 'And': Between Queer and Bi Theory at Brighton BiFest

Questions of bi identities can be invisibilised and overlooked by queer theorizing and LGBT studies. This paper explores the ways in which complex performances of bisexuality can simultaneously encompass and deconstructively critique bi identity in a manner which embraces the “and” between bi and queer, offering important insights into how bi is lived, contested and reaffirmed. Drawing on the BiCon and BiFest events we argue that both the materialities of bi erasures and exclusions, and the fluidities that trouble heterosexual/homosexual divides, offer key insights into the spatial and temporal fixing and unfixing of identities.

The Personal Experience of Community Among Urban Gay Men, Lesbians, and Bisexuals: Melting Pot or Mosaic

Objective. "Gay community" is often conceptualized as a "melting pot" in which gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) persons are united and integrated into one sexual minority community. Evidence, however, indicates that GLB community may also be conceptualized as a mosaic of sexual minority communities with differing goals and ideologies. We test the validity of these conceptions of community with respect to two facets of the personal experiences of GLB individuals: socializing with GLB persons and GLB community cohesion perceptions. Methods. Analyses of the 2005 Sex and Love survey of New York City area GLB persons. Results. GLB persons tended to socialize most with their own sexual identity group. Compared to gay men, only bisexual women reported higher perceptions of GLB community cohesion. Conclusion. Our findings indicate the presence of a mosaic sexual minority community. The extent of sexual-identity-group-specific socializing patterns suggests that personal perceptions of GLB cohesion may either be idealized rather than based on routine interactions or reflect assessments of within-group (not across-group) cohesion.

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