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Bi America: Myths, Truths, And Struggles Of An Invisible Community

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Before I opened this book I was in disbelief that a whole book could be devoted to bisexuality. After reading it, I was surprised how thorough it was, and how little I knew of the subject. This issue of the invisibility of bisexuals is quickly addressed and echoed throughout the book. While there were more complex definitions of `bisexual' presented, I preferred Burleson's simplistic contribution; sexual attraction to more than one gender. It is clear that sexual orientation should not be based on behavior alone. Just because someone is celibate or has not had sexual contact yet does not make them asexual. Your orientation goes beyond physical contact and includes arousal, attraction, and fantasies.

The first chapter of the book opens up discussing a BECAUSE (Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience) convention in Minneapolis where bisexuals meet annually to take part in workshops and socialize with the rest of the community.

The second chapter really puts bisexuality in perspective to the rest of the world. It is estimated that 2% of the population is in fact bisexual. While the lesbian and gay community has (and still) is suffering from heterosexism, bisexuals have a unique experience of discrimination. The issue of them being invisible is explained by people's inconsistent beliefs about their sexuality. Some of these beliefs are presented in the form of myths, including, bisexuals are more promiscuous than other orientations, bisexuals are often in a transitional phase of their life, and that bisexuals have the privilege of both a gay and heterosexual identity.

The third chapter helps to further define bisexuality by including its history in society and our culture. Ever since sex became medicalized in the end of the 19th century individuals have been discriminated against if their sexual behaviors did not led to procreation. I like how Burleson mentioned the different cultural models of sexuality, but stressed that issues of sexual identity are cultural, and feelings and attractions are organic. The model that is referred to within the book cannot be generalized to the rest of the world. While I understand the reason for him to concentrate on North America, I would have liked more of his anthropological view of different cultures than he presented briefly. Models of sexual orientation are also presented in the chapter. The Kinsey scale (1948) is mentioned because it is the first model of sexuality to move beyond a dualistic approach. The model with the most diversity is the Klein scale. Dr. Fritz Klein uses his famous grid to show the multivariable and fluid nature of sexual orientation. The variables in the model include; sexual attraction, sexual behavior, fantasies, emotional preference, social preference, lifestyle, and self identification. The scale also takes into account different items for past, present, and ideal self and situation. In total Klein provides 21 numbers in regards to orientation. This model just goes to prove how complex and changing sexuality is throughout the life course.

The bisexual community is the topic of the fourth chapter, or the issue of the lack of community. While there are some people who identify with a support group or community, most bisexuals do not. Bisexuals generally have trouble identifying with the heterosexual and gay community. Specifically bi-women have more trouble with the lesbian community than the straight, while bi-men have more trouble with the straight community than the gay. Those who do identify as bisexual generally share certain characteristics: they generally prefer to be identified as queer, are educated, non-Christian, and non-republican. Like mentioned in the film we saw in class, the author also agreed that research suggests there is an unequal attraction to both sexes. Burleson provides data that support bisexual men having more same gendered sex than bisexual women. Another characteristic of bisexuals is that they are generally more open to different types of relationships, including polyamory. This often leads to the stereotype of all bisexuals as non-monogamous.

Chapter five was particularly interesting as it dealt with how women and men's experiences as bisexuals differ. These differences are ultimately displayed in the lesbian and gay community's rejection of bisexuals. The lesbian feminist community has created a lot of tension with bisexual women. In our culture, women who identify as bisexual are generally eroticized and men who identify as bisexual are ostracized. The media especially portrays this belief by sexualizing bisexual or bi-curious women and excluding referencing bisexual men altogether.

The transgendered community is discussed in the next chapter. I though it was appropriately mentioned since our culture defines what genders we have to chose from, and what their function and roles in society are. I will save this discussion for the final book.

Another issue of confusion for the bisexual community has been fighting society's stereotypical view of bisexuals as non-monogamous and swingers. This chapter defines different types of relationships and the fact that bisexuals are more open to different types of relationships than heterosexuals. This is the case since they view their sexual orientation has more fluid in general. Some bisexuals also do not identify with the bisexual community because they see the community being linked too closely with polyamorous issues. I liked the exploration of different styles of non-monogamy including; cheating, cruising, open relationships, and swinging. In my opinion I think our culture is moving toward a more fluid definition of sexuality which includes being more open to different and casual styles of relationships.

Since the author is an STD/HIV prevention educator it is only fair to include a chapter on the bi-community in relation. The major issue I pulled from this chapter was that the lack of a bisexual community can hurt HIV prevention and awareness. This is evident in how the AIDS epidemic brought about serious changes in sexual expression within the gay and lesbian community in the 80's. It is also naive to believe that certain sexual orientations make people more prone to HIV/STDS, it is only specific behaviors. Many credit AIDS with bringing bisexuality out of the closet by creating a concern for awareness on a personal level. I also thought it was interesting that there have been very few cases of female-female transmission of the disease through oral sex. I am sure this further fuels feministic lesbians and why they generally disapprove of bisexual women.

Chapter nine dealt with the history of the bisexual community which I had no clue about. It was 1972 when the first organization was created as it separated from gay/lesbian activism. Fritz Klein who is the creator of the sexual orientation model is seen as the most influential person in the movement. I think it is also important the movement has moved away from the Boston bi women's network that was created in 1983. For men to be equally respected and recognized in society the movement needs to move away from the queer women's political movement.

It is easy to assume that the future of bisexuality will be positive. It is only natural for our culture to become more accepting and tolerant of diversity. Young people especially are more resistant to labels and do not want to identify as being different, or separate. Sexuality is completely individualistic and unique, and as Dr. Klein mentioned in the film, very much like a fingerprint.

Burleson presents in the tenth chapter that creating a community for bisexuals is not as important as creating understanding of the identity in general. Burleson also thinks it is essential to get rid of the feministic model which keeps bisexuals in the closet. I understand peoples need to identify with a community but I think it is counterproductive to further isolate individuals from the dominant culture.

I thought Burleson provided an excellent account of bisexuality in America and especially enjoyed all the personal stories that were incorporated throughout. The appendix included the transcript for the "bisexual history project" which interviewed ten bisexuals who told their life stories. The data presented in the appendix includes the findings of a 2002 survey of about 300 bisexual people conducted through the Internet which gives us a look at some numbers that are not generalizeable, but never the less, interesting.

Myths that were presented in the beginning of the book were also looked at in further detail in the appendix.

The first book to really tackle the issue of bisexuality that is not meretriciously academic, nor is this pop-sociology.

This book is a serious attempt to address the invisible and twice despised bisexuals, marginalized by straight America and held suspect, if not despised, by gay America. There are few resources for true bisexuals, and this book is indispensable, especially given the general homophobia of the majority and the biphobia of much of the queer community.

Highly recommended.

I just finished reading Bi America and found it profoundly emancipating. Burleson brings decades of experience to his topic, clarifying controversial and difficult topics. The book is complete with copious notes, bibliography and index, but also reveals Burleson's personal and complex involvement. His treatment of the entire range of LBGT history and his insight into bisexuality in America, past and present, will be of value to anyone willing to look honestly and courageously at the broad range of human sexuality.

William Burleson does an incredible job describing the Bisexual community - from it's roots, to the current state, to the overlaps to other communities, to the divisions within.

He captures the invisibility that so many of us feel, making it impossible to argue against. I have read every book on this topic and this may be the best

You know a book is great when it fills a gap you never knew was there. This book did that for me.

I think this is the best book on scientific understanding pertaining to Bisexuality in a long time.
The author has made an entertaing yet informative look at the trials and tribulations of the Bisexual community, or lack thereof, and has given his readers alot to think about!
Can't wait for him to do more!