Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World, Second Edition [Paperback]

Robyn Ochs (Author, Editor), Sarah Rowley (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2009

Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World, Second Edition, edited by Robyn Ochs and Sarah Rowley, is the broadest single collection of bisexual literature available today. Getting Bi collects 220 essays from around the world that explore bisexual identity. Topics include coming out, relationships, politics, community, and more. The book also addresses the intersection of bisexuality with race, class, ethnicity, gender identity, disability and national identity. Authors from 42 countries discuss bisexuality from personal perspectives and their own cultural contexts providing insight into societal views on bisexuality from countries ranging from Colombia to China.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, and more. 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

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 220 essays, from 42 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, Boston, MA

Getting Bi is one of the most important recent contributions to the global struggle for human rights. By enriching our understanding of bisexuality within so many cultural and geographic contexts, this anthology serves as a magnificent tool for building support and respect for the sexual rights of each one of us. --Paula Ettelbrick, Executive Director of the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

About the Author

Robyn Ochs, Ed.M has taught courses on gender and sexuality. Her writings have been published in numerous bisexual, women's studies, multicultural, and LGBT anthologies. She is a professional speaker and workshop leader who has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities, and keynoted numerous conferences. Robyn lives in Massachusetts, and on May 17th, 2004 on the first day it was legal she married Peg Preble, her long-time partner. Their wedding was covered on page 1 of the the Washington Post. Robyn serves on the Board of Directors of MassEquality. The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force awarded Robyn the 2009 Susan J. Hyde Activism Award for Longevity in the Movement.

Sarah E. Rowley is a member of the Boston Bisexual Women s Network and works to end partner abuse in the lesbian, bisexual women s, and transgender communities as President of the Board of The Network/La Red.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Bisexual Resource Center; Second edition (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965388158
• ISBN-13: 978-0965388153
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering, enlightening, inspiring... October 14, 2009

By Folk Angel

Format:Paperback

"Getting Bi" has had a tremendous impact on my life, and I'm grateful to Robyn, Sarah, and everyone who made it happen. I thought I was the only one who experienced those frustrations, joys, and epiphanies until I read "Getting Bi." It is indeed empowering to know you're not the only one. Reading "Getting Bi" has inspired me to find a community of others who identify as bisexual. Also, it has empowered me to speak out against intolerance and misconceptions.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing anthology September 28, 2009

By Gail Zacharias

Format: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.

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Getting Bi" Must Read for Those Wishing to Understand Bisexuality January 2, 2010

By John R. Selig

Format:Paperback

Bisexuals are misunderstood. Many gays and lesbians think that bisexuality is a phase that people go through in admitting that they are gay, that bisexuals are in denial (in other words they are really gay or lesbian and are just trying to hide); in other words, there is no such thing as bisexuality. Heterosexuals also don't understand bisexuality. This outstanding collection of first person accounts written by bisexuals from around the world and expertly edited by Robyn Ochs and Sarah E. Rowley does an excellent job of breaking through the stereotypes and myths surrounding bisexuals. It is an excellent resource for educators, therapists and families and friends of bisexuals. Gays and lesbians should read the book to gain a better understanding of the "B" in LGBT so that they can overcome their own misconceptions about bisexuality. This is the best book that I have read on bisexuality and I strongly recommend it.

John R. Selig
John Selig Outspoken Podcast
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