I am interested in the popular discourse that eliminates the possibility of non binaristic sexuality. I want to explore how this discourse silences and erases bisexuality and other non monosexualities in order to help my reader understand how misogyny is influential in the formation of sexual orientations and how they are perceived (Leigh). The two ways I will be delving into this issue is by analyzing how biased scientific data leads to biased popular discourse, and how misogyny and binarism is enforced through biphobia in popular discourse.
I will be doing a case study in which I study the discourse surrounding the bisexual identity. While there are many non-monosexual identities, I will be focusing specifically on bisexuality because it is the most commonly debated identity label within straight spaces. However, it is notable that these other identities are also contested and perhaps there is meaning in the fact that “bisexual,” which sometimes connotes an attraction to binary genders, is the only title that is given attention in mainstream forums.
In order to understand the framework in which bisexuality is being discussed, it is important to examine the pseudoscientific data from LGBTQ centered studies and opinion/ narrative articles from outside the LGBTQ community that actively erase bisexuality as a legitimate identity. I seek to show that these ideas are steeped misogyny, and the current Western conceptualization of sexual identity is exclusive because of an adherence to oppressive structures. I will be exploring articles and studies that literally suggest that bisexuality does not exist, and how those ideas are reinstated in popular media and rely on non-intersectional understandings of sexuality. To do this, I will be analyzing the language used with discussing bisexuality in straight spaces online. I will check for patterns in word choice in both the framing of the identity and the words used to describe it. I predict words like “explore” “phase” and “try out” will be common in this literature (Calhoun).
I will be using the study “Born Both Ways: The Alloparenting Hypothesis for Sexual Fluidity in Women by Barry X. Khule, that found that bisexuality in women is valid, while bisexuality in men is not. I will also be using the article “The Scientific Quest To Prove Bisexuality Exists” by Benoit Denizet-Lewis at the New York Times that explores whether or not science supports bisexuality. ” To explore misogyny and gender roles within the bisexual discourse, I will be analyzing the articles “Signs Your Girlfriend Is Bisexual” from Ask Men, “Why Are So Many Girls Lesbian or Bisexual?” from Psychology Today,“Bisexual Boyfriend” from Cosmopolitan Magazine, “Impure Lesbians of Sodom: Why are bisexual women more likely to have tried anal sex?” from Slate, “Would You Date A Bi Guy?” from Glamour Magazine, and “Would Most Men Seriously Date A Bisexual Or Is That Just A Fantasy?” from Madame Noire.
The common strain of discourse throughout these popular articles is that 1) bisexual people do not actually exist and 2) bisexual people’s illegitimacy leads to bad relationships established in faulty foundations due to bisexuality (WisdomIsMisery). This discourse is extremely damaging to bisexual people, especially when it is encouraged by studies that use biased and overly simplistic models to gather evidence about the existence of bisexuality (Denizet-lewis).
Ultimately, I hope to convey that bisexuality is an oft erased and delegitimized identity because of the cultural adherence to binaries used to enforce misogyny. The use of language to call into question the experiences of bisexual people is an example of reframing the situation and dismissing events in order to emphasize monosexuality.
(Contact for Bibliography)
I will be doing a case study in which I study the discourse surrounding the bisexual identity. While there are many non-monosexual identities, I will be focusing specifically on bisexuality because it is the most commonly debated identity label within straight spaces. However, it is notable that these other identities are also contested and perhaps there is meaning in the fact that “bisexual,” which sometimes connotes an attraction to binary genders, is the only title that is given attention in mainstream forums.
In order to understand the framework in which bisexuality is being discussed, it is important to examine the pseudoscientific data from LGBTQ centered studies and opinion/ narrative articles from outside the LGBTQ community that actively erase bisexuality as a legitimate identity. I seek to show that these ideas are steeped misogyny, and the current Western conceptualization of sexual identity is exclusive because of an adherence to oppressive structures. I will be exploring articles and studies that literally suggest that bisexuality does not exist, and how those ideas are reinstated in popular media and rely on non-intersectional understandings of sexuality. To do this, I will be analyzing the language used with discussing bisexuality in straight spaces online. I will check for patterns in word choice in both the framing of the identity and the words used to describe it. I predict words like “explore” “phase” and “try out” will be common in this literature (Calhoun).
I will be using the study “Born Both Ways: The Alloparenting Hypothesis for Sexual Fluidity in Women by Barry X. Khule, that found that bisexuality in women is valid, while bisexuality in men is not. I will also be using the article “The Scientific Quest To Prove Bisexuality Exists” by Benoit Denizet-Lewis at the New York Times that explores whether or not science supports bisexuality. ” To explore misogyny and gender roles within the bisexual discourse, I will be analyzing the articles “Signs Your Girlfriend Is Bisexual” from Ask Men, “Why Are So Many Girls Lesbian or Bisexual?” from Psychology Today,“Bisexual Boyfriend” from Cosmopolitan Magazine, “Impure Lesbians of Sodom: Why are bisexual women more likely to have tried anal sex?” from Slate, “Would You Date A Bi Guy?” from Glamour Magazine, and “Would Most Men Seriously Date A Bisexual Or Is That Just A Fantasy?” from Madame Noire.
The common strain of discourse throughout these popular articles is that 1) bisexual people do not actually exist and 2) bisexual people’s illegitimacy leads to bad relationships established in faulty foundations due to bisexuality (WisdomIsMisery). This discourse is extremely damaging to bisexual people, especially when it is encouraged by studies that use biased and overly simplistic models to gather evidence about the existence of bisexuality (Denizet-lewis).
Ultimately, I hope to convey that bisexuality is an oft erased and delegitimized identity because of the cultural adherence to binaries used to enforce misogyny. The use of language to call into question the experiences of bisexual people is an example of reframing the situation and dismissing events in order to emphasize monosexuality.
(Contact for Bibliography)