Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site hound.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!mhuxn!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!hound!psh From: psh@hound.UUCP (P.HANSON) Newsgroups: net.motss Subject: Bisexuality anyone? Message-ID: <1302@hound.UUCP> Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 22:33:18 EDT Article-I.D.: hound.1302 Posted: Thu Aug 15 22:33:18 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 04:41:13 EDT Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 45 In response to the call for input from read-only participants I would like to submit a topic for discussion...bisexuality. I think this is an interesting topic for several reasons. Homosexuality has, over the past few years, gained a recognized place in todays society. Homosexuals now have respected and well formed communities, they have faught for their civil rights and all this had led to partial social acceptance. This acceptance by the outside and the supportiveness generated on the inside of the gay world has done much to create the opportunity for gays and lesbians to live happy and loving lives. However; it is difficult to say that the same opportunity exists for bisexual people. As one author has written, the bisexual is at the disadvantage of both homosexuals and heterosexuals, in terms of acceptance, because bisexuals are "enemies in both camps". It used to be the case that psychology only considered bisexuality as a transitory state between hetero- and homosexuality. Now, many psychologists don't believe that crap. And now with the Kinsey Report (I believe) it is thought that there may be many more bisexuals than homosexuals [I don't think one is required to be active with both sexes in order to fall into the range of 'bisexual', the determinant is one's preferences] So, where are they all? Bisexuality is interesting because there are now two closets to hide in i.e. one can be openly gay or straight and yet sneak on over to the other side. There is good reason for one to do this. We now have admittedly gay politicians and public servants but could you imagine an admittedly bisexual one? Clearly a major difficulty is facing the desire for marriage and children... I mean if one is bisexual, one could choose to live a straight life and not act on same-sex desires and thus gain the fulfilment that comes from family life. But, it is a trade off. Is being bisexual never to be happy? To satisfy both sexual preferences nearly eliminates the possibility of a monogamous relationship. And to have a monogamous relationship implies a sort of celebacy. Or does it? Let's hear from some representatives of the gay and straight community on what they think today's sentiments towards bi's are. Also, it would be interesting to hear from bisexuals about their personal difficulties in starting and maintaining relationships. Are there any married bisexuals out there?