Bisexuality 101 A brief introduction Quick overview • • • • • • William Perry Myths Terms Researchers Identity versus Behavior More information William Perry’s Model of Intellectual and Ethical Development (1981) 1. Dualism: two options, one right one wrong 2. Multiplicity: acknowledges multiple options 3. Relativism: analyzes multiple options 4. Commitments in relativism: understands multiple options (non-dual awareness), decides to follow one option based upon personal beliefs and values Application of Perry • Applying non-dual awareness to sexuality. • Bisexuality is the experience of romantic & emotional attachment on the non-dual plane of development. • Both attractions are possible, but not necessarily acted upon…and may take various ranges of expression. Myths • Bisexuality does not exist. • Bisexual means equal attraction to both genders. • Bisexuals are dishonest about their relationships. Adapted from Bisexual Resource Center. (2002). Myths about bisexuality [Brochure]. Boston, MA. Myths • Bisexuals are sexually promiscuous. • Bisexuals cause AIDS. • Bisexuals are incapable of having healthy relationships. Adapted from Bisexual Resource Center. (2002). Myths about bisexuality [Brochure]. Boston, MA. Terms • • • • • • Bi-curious Bi-phobia Bisexual Men having Sex with Men (MSM) Monosexual Pansexual/Omnisexual/Pomosexual Kinsey Scale (1948) Heterosexual Homosexual 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (1993) Variable A Sexual Attraction B Sexual Behavior Past Present Ideal C D E F Sexual Fantasies Emotional Preference Social Preference Heterosexual/Homosexual Lifestyle G Self Identification Use scores ranging from: 1 (other sex) to 7 (same sex) Identity versus behavior Identity One aspect of a person’s overall being. In terms of sexual orientation, this person will typically acknowledge varying degrees of emotional, social, and/or physical attraction (or interest) in persons of both genders. Gender is usually not the major demarcating factor for attraction (or interest). Example: Bisexual identified person, in a monogamous relationship Behavior The actions a person does often, but not always based upon their thoughts, conceptions and beliefs. Example: Heterosexual identified person having sex with the same gender. Guidelines for practice • Become familiar with concepts and resources for the bisexual community. • Do not make assumptions. • Acknowledge the person’s experience. • Remember that there are human issues and bisexual issues. So what does it all mean? • The words we use to define ourselves usually mean something different for each person. • The Kinsey Scale & Klein Sexual Orientation Grid measure sexuality in a more objective manner, but are still very limited. • The most important factor is how individuals identify themselves. Researchers on the topic of bisexuality • Ronald C. Fox, PhD (San Francisco, CA) • Tania Israel (Santa Barbara, CA) • Alfred Kinsey (Deceased) • Fritz Klein, MD (San Diego, CA) • Emily Page (Boston, MA) Internet resources • www.bialogue.org • www.biresource.org • www.bisexual.org • www.binetusa.org • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexual Print resources • Fox, R.C. (Ed.). (2004). Current research on bisexuality. New York: Harrington Press. • Hutchins, L. & Kaahumanu, L. (Eds.). (1991). Bi any other name: Bisexual people speak out. Boston: Alyson Publications. • Klein, F. (1993) Bisexual option(2nd ed.). New York: Arbor House. • Ochs, R. (Ed.). (2001). Bisexual resource guide (4th ed.). Boston: Bisexual Resource Center.