My name is Janet and I’m currently undertaking doctoral research examining bisexuality in Australian society at Deakin University, Melbourne in sociology/gender studies. Specifically, I aim to understand the role and impact of gender in bisexual desire and/or experience through exploring the lived realities of those who, over the course of their biographies, have sexually connected on some significant level (emotional, physical, erotic, or romantic) with more than one gender. In particular I will be looking at the interaction between dominant constructions of gender and sexuality; that is, how social, familial and intimate relationships, and public discourses and practices frame, guide and impact upon individual bisexual lives. The perception and construction of masculinities and femininities will be pivotal to this inquiry.
The study will be both empirical, employing qualitative methodologies, and theoretical. From an empirical perspective I am asking: what gender differences (and similarities) are evident in the experiential realities of bisexuality in men, women, and gender-diverse people (such as trans and intersex)? From a theoretical perspective this then leads me to inquire: what is the relationship between gender and bisexuality? In other words, how is gender embodied, articulated and negotiated in experiences of bisexuality, and does this conform to or resist traditional (that is, dominant and often stereotypical) notions that define men and women in terms of socially valorised or accepted ways of being masculine or feminine?
To date, bisexual research is largely dominated by psychological and health science focus on mental-health and AIDS/HIV related issues. Sociological literature is notably sparse, relying on a handful of key empirical studies that were conducted largely during the 1990s when academic interest in bisexuality peaked. Here, Australian research is conspicuously scant with the greater part of bisexual scholarship coming predominantly out of North America and the U.K. Overall, sociological studies have examined the difficulties in negotiating bisexual identity within the context of a culture that traditionally perceives sexuality as either gay or straight and privileges a value-system built on the ideals of monogamy and monosexuality. Notions of social dislocation, invisibility, double discrimination from both gay and straight worlds, and negative stereotyping (confused, promiscuous, traitors to gay and lesbian politics etc) are themes that feature prominently in this body of research.
Bisexual and GLBTI literature highlights that men are more likely to be stigmatised or discriminated against on the basis of bisexual behaviour than are women, and are more covert in their same-sex relations. Conversely, for women bisexuality is considered more socially acceptable, and survey research indicates that women are more likely to behave or identify bisexually or express greater degrees of sexual flexibility and fluidity than men. Indeed, a recurring theme is that for men, bisexuality is perceived and experienced as a threat to masculinity, while for women it is an extension of femininity. Although on one level female bisexuality seems to be contoured in a more positive manner, it bears noting that mainstream cultural representations perpetuate images of ‘hot bi babes’; in other words, it is objectified and sexualised as a source of erotic pleasure sanctioned primarily by the heterosexual male gaze.
Such gendered patterns open up tantalising avenues of exploration, yet social science research bears a significant deficit in specifically addressing and theorising gender differentiation in experiential dimensions of bisexuality. Gender is of course ever-present in discussion. Definitions of bisexuality pivot on variously understanding sexual attraction, desire, behaviour or identity as in some way embracing a connection to both men and women. And some studies are devoted to gender specific areas such as gay/bisexual men, or lesbian/bisexual women. In this sense, gender is positioned in a linear relationship to sexuality; that is, gender of partner determines sexual identity or orientation. However, analysis of the operation of gender as a social category in relation to bisexuality is mostly cursory, and indeed, secondary to the primary aims of the research (such as AIDs, mental health, marginalisation within gay and lesbian communities). Furthermore, comprehensive investigation of trans and intersex populations is largely missing from bisexual research, which unwittingly replays gender as a categorical opposition between men and women and effectively ignores the breadth of gender possibilities. Thus, I argue that gender, as a principal vector of analytical inquiry, rarely appears to be the driving mechanism of conceptual frameworks or research methodology. Consequently studies of bisexuality tend to subordinate gender to what are perceived as more pressing concerns of sexual minoritisation.
A wealth of feminist and gender studies literature considers how dominant discourses of masculinity and femininity, and dimensions of power, shape, subordinate, and marginalise, not only women but also particular groups of men. But most of this valuable discussion takes place within default assumptions of heterosexuality or a reductionist heterosexual/homosexual, straight/gay power dynamic. It is therefore important that such gender analyses do not fossilise at this conceptual brick wall, but expand understanding of the role of gender in less visible domains of sexuality (both in terms of scholarship and cultural practice) such as bisexuality to elucidate the fluidity, diversity and complexity of lived (bi)sexual realities. In seeking to expand understanding and knowledge of bisexual lives, this research hopes to offer greater understanding and knowledge of bisexuality to the broader community, where it remains largely misunderstood or unknown, and moreover, provide a much needed resource for those who struggle with not fitting into either gay or straight worlds.
After recently sending out an initial call for participants the response has been astounding and overwhelmingly positive. This is testament that my research is long-overdue and much needed. I have more than enough women to recruit from, but a few more men and trans or intersex folk would ensure I have a truly gender diverse sample. I welcome your comments and if you wish to know more about the research or would like to be kept up to date with the progress of my study and publication of findings, please contact me at jbwatson@deakin.edu.au
Image of bisexual pride symbol courtesy of Wikimedia
