Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World, edited by Robyn Ochs and Sarah E Rowley, is an international anthology of personal writings by people from 32 different countries, ranging in age from 15-79. As quoted below, "This book literally puts a face on bisexual identity" and includes voices from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
This book is amazing! It is certainly the most international "international anthology" I've ever read. Rather than interpreting other people's experiences, the editors created a well-designed and organized anthology of a wide range of people describing their lives and experiences in their own words. There are 184 essays, from 32 different countries, written by teenagers, grandparents and everyone in between. In essays and in poems, authors talk about coming out, tell their life stories, discuss bi community, relationships, politics, and desire. Each contribution is accompanied by a short author bio, and most have photos. This book literally puts a face on bisexual identity. I recommend it to people of all sexual orientations -- to those who identify as bisexual, and to those who don't. A rich and rewarding reading experience and a great resource. --Gail Zacharias
This astounding collection of essays, comments, information and more by and about bisexual people from around the world literally runs the gamut of A to Z -- Argentina to Zimbabwe -- with writings from countries you'd least expect, incredible insights from diverse walks of life, and thoughts so vast and varied that even the most casual reader will come away with a profoundly expanded and enriched appreciation of the vastness of the human spirit. The book is an eye-opener for both bi people and others in that it shows how bi people perceive life and the world around them from so many different points of view, even from each other, making for both a thrilling intellectual and visceral experience. The struggles, joys, angst and ecstasy expressed in the multitude of articles is riveting, and the comprehensiveness yet breadth of views from so many lands is simply mind-boggling and jaw-dropping. Bravo and congratulations to the editors and their contributors for this seminal book. [Full disclosure: I'm one of those pictured on the cover (to my utter surprise)and am quoted very briefly in one section of the book, but had nothing whatsoever to do with the astounding assemblage of voices collected nor the production of this remarkable landmark tome.] --Gary North
Getting Bi is a stunning collection of first-person narratives by bisexuals from around the world. The term "bisexual" functions as a useful shorthand for a broad spectrum of sexualities: as the editors note in the Introduction, some contributors self-identify as queer, pansexual, omnisexual, or labelless, while others acknowlege attractions to multiple genders while identifying as lesbian, gay, or heterosexual. This complexity infuses the book at every level, as writers differ not only in their definitions of bisexuality, but also in their politics, spiritualities, sexual practices, and patterns of daily life. The essayists include accomplished writers and bi activists such as Loraine Hutchins, Lani Ka'ahumanu, Carol Queen, and Amanda Udis-Kessler, as well as literary unknowns, many of whom are published here for the first time. Most of the essays are conversational in tone and personal in content, as the writers discuss coming out, the choice to identify (or not) as bisexual, life experiences, sexual desire, bi community, and political activism. Many anthologies aspire to be international in scope, but few achieve that vision. Getting Bi is a rare success in this respect, as the book includes voices from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This diversity of location and perspective makes Getting Bi useful in college or high school courses that center global and/or transnational analyses of feminism and/or sexuality. The lively and engaging content continues and extends the best traditions of Bi Any Other Name, while the international scope and glorious polyphony mark the beginning of a new era in bi literature. Getting Bi is an astounding achievement. --Robin Bernstein, Assistant Professor of Women, Gender & Sexuality, Harvard University --Robin Bernstein
This astounding collection of essays, comments, information and more by and about bisexual people from around the world literally runs the gamut of A to Z -- Argentina to Zimbabwe -- with writings from countries you'd least expect, incredible insights from diverse walks of life, and thoughts so vast and varied that even the most casual reader will come away with a profoundly expanded and enriched appreciation of the vastness of the human spirit. The book is an eye-opener for both bi people and others in that it shows how bi people perceive life and the world around them from so many different points of view, even from each other, making for both a thrilling intellectual and visceral experience. The struggles, joys, angst and ecstasy expressed in the multitude of articles is riveting, and the comprehensiveness yet breadth of views from so many lands is simply mind-boggling and jaw-dropping. Bravo and congratulations to the editors and their contributors for this seminal book. [Full disclosure: I'm one of those pictured on the cover (to my utter surprise)and am quoted very briefly in one section of the book, but had nothing whatsoever to do with the astounding assemblage of voices collected nor the production of this remarkable landmark tome.] --Gary North
Getting Bi is a stunning collection of first-person narratives by bisexuals from around the world. The term "bisexual" functions as a useful shorthand for a broad spectrum of sexualities: as the editors note in the Introduction, some contributors self-identify as queer, pansexual, omnisexual, or labelless, while others acknowlege attractions to multiple genders while identifying as lesbian, gay, or heterosexual. This complexity infuses the book at every level, as writers differ not only in their definitions of bisexuality, but also in their politics, spiritualities, sexual practices, and patterns of daily life. The essayists include accomplished writers and bi activists such as Loraine Hutchins, Lani Ka'ahumanu, Carol Queen, and Amanda Udis-Kessler, as well as literary unknowns, many of whom are published here for the first time. Most of the essays are conversational in tone and personal in content, as the writers discuss coming out, the choice to identify (or not) as bisexual, life experiences, sexual desire, bi community, and political activism. Many anthologies aspire to be international in scope, but few achieve that vision. Getting Bi is a rare success in this respect, as the book includes voices from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This diversity of location and perspective makes Getting Bi useful in college or high school courses that center global and/or transnational analyses of feminism and/or sexuality. The lively and engaging content continues and extends the best traditions of Bi Any Other Name, while the international scope and glorious polyphony mark the beginning of a new era in bi literature. Getting Bi is an astounding achievement. --Robin Bernstein, Assistant Professor of Women, Gender & Sexuality, Harvard University --Robin Bernstein
About the Author
Robyn Ochs is a long-time activist, and the editor of the Bisexual Resource Guide and the new anthology Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World. She has taught courses on topics including GLBT history & politics in the United States, the politics of sexual orientation, and the experiences of those of us who transgress the binary categories of gay/straight, masculine/feminine, black/white and/or male/female. Her writings have been published in numerous bisexual, women's studies, multicultural, and GLBT anthologies. She lives in Massachusetts, and on May 17th, 2004 -- on the first day it was legal -- Robyn Ochs married Peg Preble, her long-time partner. Their wedding was covered on page 1 of the Washington Post (see article and video). She is a professional speaker and workshop leader. On this website you will find information about Robyn's speaking schedule and about her presentations and workshops.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing anthology,
By
This review is from: Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World (Paperback)
This book is amazing! It is certainly the most international "international anthology" I've ever read. Rather than interpreting other people's experiences, the editors created a well-designed and organized anthology of a wide range of people describing their lives and experiences in their own words. And this new second edition is even more comprehensive than the first! There are essays from 10 additional countries. With photos of many of the writers, this book literally puts a face on bisexual identity. I recommend it to people of all sexual orientations -- to those who identify as bisexual, and to those who don't. A rich and rewarding reading experience and a great resource.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book!,
By
This review is from: Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World (Paperback)
This astounding collection of essays, comments, information and more by and about bisexual people from around the world literally runs the gamut of A to Z -- Argentina to Zimbabwe -- with writings from countries you'd least expect, incredible insights from diverse walks of life, and thoughts so vast and varied that even the most casual reader will come away with a profoundly expanded and enriched appreciation of the vastness of the human spirit. The book is an eye-opener for both bi people and others in that it shows how bi people perceive life and the world around them from so many different points of view, even from each other, making for both a thrilling intellectual and visceral experience. The struggles, joys, angst and ecstasy expressed in the multitude of articles is riveting, and the comprehensiveness yet breadth of views from so many lands is simply mind-boggling and jaw-dropping. Bravo and congratulations to the editors and their contributors for this seminal book. [Full disclosure: I'm one of those pictured on the cover (to my utter surprise)and am quoted very briefly in one section of the book, but had nothing whatsoever to do with the astounding assemblage of voices collected nor the production of this remarkable landmark tome.]
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Five Star Book,
By
This review is from: Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World (Paperback)
There's a lot of confusion about what bisexuality is. This book gives a great in-depth look about what people (bi and not) think about bisexuality. It's great for folks of any sexuality who want to learn more.
I found myself nodding vigorously in agreement with some, feeling like there were other people out there that feel as I do. I also disagreed with some folks. This book is an unbiased look at voices all over the world -- plenty of people, poor to rich, different cultures and ethnicities. This book is more than "something for everyone". It's "a LOT for everyone."
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United States, New York, Shen Rui, Mexico City, San Francisco, South Asian, Native American, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bay Area, Sung Yun, Bisexual Resource Guide, Dutch Bisexual Network, Skinner House Books New!
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United States, New York, Shen Rui, Mexico City, San Francisco, South Asian, Native American, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bay Area, Sung Yun, Bisexual Resource Guide, Dutch Bisexual Network, Skinner House Books New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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books:
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- Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Burning Bright by Melissa Scott in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Hello Darling, Are You Working? by Rupert Everett in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Mrs. Stevens Hears The Mermaids Singing by Sarton May in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Henry and June (Penguin Modern Classics) by Anais Nin in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
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