January 17th, 2008, 03:28 PM
Bisexuality: a 'third orientation'
SIRI AGRELL
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
January 17, 2008 at 8:51 AM EST
Bisexuality is not a phase or a period of experimentation that inevitably leads toward same-sex partnerships, new research has found, but a "third orientation" that remains distinctive over the years.
The study, which followed a group of 79 non-heterosexual women over a 10-year period, was published in this month's edition of Developmental Psychology.
The findings fly in the face of the popularly held notion within both straight and gay communities that bisexuality is not a real form of sexuality, but a temporary attraction, said Lisa Diamond, the University of Utah psychology professor who conducted the study.
"We're a culture that still has a very rigid notion of sexual categories: If you're not totally gay you must be totally straight," Dr. Diamond said. "Bisexuality throws that right out the window. So it's easier to dismiss bisexuality as not being real."
Of the women who identified as bisexual in 1995, 92 per cent identified as bisexual or unlabelled in 2005. Of the women who identified as lesbian in 1995, 66 per cent identified as lesbian 10 years later, 19 per cent had switched to bisexual and 16 per cent to "unlabelled." None of the women who identified as lesbians in 1995 switched to the heterosexual label.
But Dr. Diamond found that her subjects' definition of their own sexuality was quite fluid.
Seventeen per cent of respondents switched from a bisexual or unlabelled identity to a heterosexual identity at some point during the study.
But more than half of those women switched back to bisexual or unlabelled by the end of the 10-year period.
And of the women who identified as lesbian during the last round of interviews, 15 per cent reported having sexual contact with a man during the prior two years.
"The distinction between lesbian and bisexual women is not a rigid one," she said. "Like with most people, a lot seems to depend on who you happen to meet."
Bisexuality has not been the subject of much academic study over the years, Dr. Diamond said, and subjects who identify as bisexual are often excluded from studies of human sexuality because researchers do not know how to interpret their results.
"I've had journal editors say it would make for a much cleaner study if you just took them out," she said. "And that's exactly what keeps happening, so we know almost nothing."
Some of her subjects themselves said they were worried about participating because they felt their sexual histories involving both men and women were "bizarre."
"They didn't realize how normal they really were, and that's why I think it's important to get this information out there," she said.
Dr. Diamond believes her research will help many people understand their own sexuality and feel less uncomfortable about their seemingly competing attractions to men and women.
Over the 10-year study, the most common identity for women to switch to was unlabelled, she added, a message that may comfort young people who feel pressure to conform to either straight or gay lifestyles.
"One of my subjects explained it to her mom by saying, 'It's kind of like a garage,' " Dr. Diamond recounted. " 'I'd be happy driving a red car, I'd be happy driving a blue car, but I've only got a one-car garage.' "
Of the subjects who had babies during the period of the study, the majority were with male partners.
Most of the women who had children with female partners self-identified as lesbian.
Although her study followed only women, Dr. Diamond believes that bisexuality means different things to different genders.
"I do think there's enough evidence now that women's sexuality does appear to be more fluid than men's," she said. "I think it's a combination of biological and social factors. For women, there's a closer link between emotional connections to other people and their sexual feelings."
Bisexuality: a 'third orientation'
SIRI AGRELL
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
January 17, 2008 at 8:51 AM EST
Bisexuality is not a phase or a period of experimentation that inevitably leads toward same-sex partnerships, new research has found, but a "third orientation" that remains distinctive over the years.
The study, which followed a group of 79 non-heterosexual women over a 10-year period, was published in this month's edition of Developmental Psychology.
The findings fly in the face of the popularly held notion within both straight and gay communities that bisexuality is not a real form of sexuality, but a temporary attraction, said Lisa Diamond, the University of Utah psychology professor who conducted the study.
"We're a culture that still has a very rigid notion of sexual categories: If you're not totally gay you must be totally straight," Dr. Diamond said. "Bisexuality throws that right out the window. So it's easier to dismiss bisexuality as not being real."
Of the women who identified as bisexual in 1995, 92 per cent identified as bisexual or unlabelled in 2005. Of the women who identified as lesbian in 1995, 66 per cent identified as lesbian 10 years later, 19 per cent had switched to bisexual and 16 per cent to "unlabelled." None of the women who identified as lesbians in 1995 switched to the heterosexual label.
But Dr. Diamond found that her subjects' definition of their own sexuality was quite fluid.
Seventeen per cent of respondents switched from a bisexual or unlabelled identity to a heterosexual identity at some point during the study.
But more than half of those women switched back to bisexual or unlabelled by the end of the 10-year period.
And of the women who identified as lesbian during the last round of interviews, 15 per cent reported having sexual contact with a man during the prior two years.
"The distinction between lesbian and bisexual women is not a rigid one," she said. "Like with most people, a lot seems to depend on who you happen to meet."
Bisexuality has not been the subject of much academic study over the years, Dr. Diamond said, and subjects who identify as bisexual are often excluded from studies of human sexuality because researchers do not know how to interpret their results.
"I've had journal editors say it would make for a much cleaner study if you just took them out," she said. "And that's exactly what keeps happening, so we know almost nothing."
Some of her subjects themselves said they were worried about participating because they felt their sexual histories involving both men and women were "bizarre."
"They didn't realize how normal they really were, and that's why I think it's important to get this information out there," she said.
Dr. Diamond believes her research will help many people understand their own sexuality and feel less uncomfortable about their seemingly competing attractions to men and women.
Over the 10-year study, the most common identity for women to switch to was unlabelled, she added, a message that may comfort young people who feel pressure to conform to either straight or gay lifestyles.
"One of my subjects explained it to her mom by saying, 'It's kind of like a garage,' " Dr. Diamond recounted. " 'I'd be happy driving a red car, I'd be happy driving a blue car, but I've only got a one-car garage.' "
Of the subjects who had babies during the period of the study, the majority were with male partners.
Most of the women who had children with female partners self-identified as lesbian.
Although her study followed only women, Dr. Diamond believes that bisexuality means different things to different genders.
"I do think there's enough evidence now that women's sexuality does appear to be more fluid than men's," she said. "I think it's a combination of biological and social factors. For women, there's a closer link between emotional connections to other people and their sexual feelings."
Bright Spark
Posts: 476 
Location: Zurich
Location: Zurich
January 17th, 2008, 06:08 PM
So Karrie, where do you fit in? Do you think that these people were abused, can be cured, are normal, or does this interest you for personal reasons?
I don't presently know anyone who admits to being gay or bisexual. Sexuality remains a taboo in my circles. Women have women's names, women's clothes, and women's manners. Men have men's. Sexual innuendo and 'off colour' jokes are told but in general politics and religion are more acceptable than sex, at least in mixed company, and who knows whether the company is mixed or not anymore?
And who cares?
So Karrie, where do you fit in? Do you think that these people were abused, can be cured, are normal, or does this interest you for personal reasons?
I don't presently know anyone who admits to being gay or bisexual. Sexuality remains a taboo in my circles. Women have women's names, women's clothes, and women's manners. Men have men's. Sexual innuendo and 'off colour' jokes are told but in general politics and religion are more acceptable than sex, at least in mixed company, and who knows whether the company is mixed or not anymore?
And who cares?
January 17th, 2008, 06:29 PM
I think I've said probably at least five times within my year on this forum... I'm a married woman, so it's a moot point though... that I'm bisexual. So yeah, the article interested me personally, as it applies in a very direct manner.
I also have a good friend, male, who is an open bisexual. These times, they are a changing Jim, and people can be more open as they're more properly understood.
I think I've said probably at least five times within my year on this forum... I'm a married woman, so it's a moot point though... that I'm bisexual. So yeah, the article interested me personally, as it applies in a very direct manner.
I also have a good friend, male, who is an open bisexual. These times, they are a changing Jim, and people can be more open as they're more properly understood.
Bright Spark
Posts: 476
Location: Zurich
Location: Zurich
January 17th, 2008, 06:38 PM
They are very much more open in the Philippines, but not in Canada. In the Philippines sexual orientation is no secret it seems. Many media personalities are openly gay. In the United States there are now two or three. In Canada, I know of none. It must be that we all live sheltered lives, sheltered from the truth of ourselves.
They are very much more open in the Philippines, but not in Canada. In the Philippines sexual orientation is no secret it seems. Many media personalities are openly gay. In the United States there are now two or three. In Canada, I know of none. It must be that we all live sheltered lives, sheltered from the truth of ourselves.
Clever Clogs
Posts: 520
January 17th, 2008, 06:42 PM
I think alot is people are more accepting of bisexuals... I too am bisexual... years ago a friends hubby would not allow his wife to be friends with me once he found this out....he did not want her catching my bisexuality....times have changed... the hubbies now throw their wives to me.. lmao
I think alot is people are more accepting of bisexuals... I too am bisexual... years ago a friends hubby would not allow his wife to be friends with me once he found this out....he did not want her catching my bisexuality....times have changed... the hubbies now throw their wives to me.. lmao
January 17th, 2008, 06:47 PM
Oh, BTW Jim... I've talked about this same thing with my mother too. The article was sent to me by a friend. I'm not hidden about this in real life. I realized only after I wrote it that saying I'm open about it on the net doesn't really prove a point that people are more open about it in life. But, they are.
Oh, BTW Jim... I've talked about this same thing with my mother too. The article was sent to me by a friend. I'm not hidden about this in real life. I realized only after I wrote it that saying I'm open about it on the net doesn't really prove a point that people are more open about it in life. But, they are.
Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,535 
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Location: Calgary, Alberta
January 18th, 2008, 12:22 AM
Woody Allen:
"Being bisexual means that you immediately double your chances for a date on any given Saturday night."
Pierre Trudeau:
"The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation."
Alfred Kinsley:
"Do you mind if I take notes?"
Bisexuality, once the sex act has been separated from procreation, is the only logical orientation. I regret (sometimes) my hetero orientation.
Pangloss
Woody Allen:
"Being bisexual means that you immediately double your chances for a date on any given Saturday night."
Pierre Trudeau:
"The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation."
Alfred Kinsley:
"Do you mind if I take notes?"
Bisexuality, once the sex act has been separated from procreation, is the only logical orientation. I regret (sometimes) my hetero orientation.
Pangloss
Senate Member
Posts: 5,155
Location: Saint John, N.B.
Location: Saint John, N.B.
January 18th, 2008, 01:17 AM
Guys are FASCINATED with girl-girl......I think it is because they love to see women acting out their sexuality, but seeing them with a man threatens them on some subconcious level, or makes them uncomfortable.......but seeing two girls, pure unadulterated YES!
I saw an interview with a sexologist speaking about the booming number of women who ID themselves as bi..........Why? Her answer? Typically, If a guy comes home and says "I'd like to have sex with another man"......his wife divorces him. Typically, If a woman comes home and says "I'd like to have sex with another woman" the guys says "Who? When? Where? Can I take pictures?"
As for bisexuality, I don't think it is another orientation.......I think it is the ONLY orientation, to a lesser or greater degree. We all fall somewhere on the spectrum from completely hetero, to completely homosexual.......to be ABSOLUTELY one or the other is rare rare rare.......
Don't believe me?
Visit any prison.
STANDARD DISCLAIMER!
I'm pretty damn close to completely hetero............although Dark Beaver is a GOOD lookin man......don't think I haven't noticed, DB........ LOL
Quoting jenn
Yeah.
I think alot is people are more accepting of bisexuals... I too am bisexual... years ago a friends hubby would not allow his wife to be friends with me once he found this out....he did not want her catching my bisexuality....times have changed... the hubbies now throw their wives to me.. lmao
Guys are FASCINATED with girl-girl......I think it is because they love to see women acting out their sexuality, but seeing them with a man threatens them on some subconcious level, or makes them uncomfortable.......but seeing two girls, pure unadulterated YES!
I saw an interview with a sexologist speaking about the booming number of women who ID themselves as bi..........Why? Her answer? Typically, If a guy comes home and says "I'd like to have sex with another man"......his wife divorces him. Typically, If a woman comes home and says "I'd like to have sex with another woman" the guys says "Who? When? Where? Can I take pictures?"
As for bisexuality, I don't think it is another orientation.......I think it is the ONLY orientation, to a lesser or greater degree. We all fall somewhere on the spectrum from completely hetero, to completely homosexual.......to be ABSOLUTELY one or the other is rare rare rare.......
Don't believe me?
Visit any prison.
STANDARD DISCLAIMER!
I'm pretty damn close to completely hetero............although Dark Beaver is a GOOD lookin man......don't think I haven't noticed, DB........ LOL
Gobsmacked
Posts: 4,916
Location: Edmonton AB
Location: Edmonton AB
January 18th, 2008, 08:22 AM
Curio, I find myself surprised at your post. I think your premise could easily be adapted to portray heterosexual folks as being the ones afraid to explore all aspects of their sexuality. I believe that sexuality is indeed a continuum - one which allows... (and for some, insists) upon fluidity and exploration. Bi-sexuality is a well documented facet of existence - it is seen in many species who have not the ability (nor the desire, I suspect) to analyze the reasons or rightness/wrongness of their urges.
The older I get, the more I wonder about the beliefs I've clutched onto and accompanying choices I've made in this regard. Perhaps I've not experienced any other places on the continuum due to the conditioning and fear-driven biases that have been instilled into me through upbringing, society and a host of other vicarious societal influences that have somehow contributed to the (mistaken?) belief that where I perch on that continuum is where I should remain. I welcome - if somewhat hesitantly - contributions to my insight on this - maybe I'm missing out on an inherent aspect of my humanity that I've yet to experience. Maybe I better get at it while I still can!
Curio, I find myself surprised at your post. I think your premise could easily be adapted to portray heterosexual folks as being the ones afraid to explore all aspects of their sexuality. I believe that sexuality is indeed a continuum - one which allows... (and for some, insists) upon fluidity and exploration. Bi-sexuality is a well documented facet of existence - it is seen in many species who have not the ability (nor the desire, I suspect) to analyze the reasons or rightness/wrongness of their urges.
The older I get, the more I wonder about the beliefs I've clutched onto and accompanying choices I've made in this regard. Perhaps I've not experienced any other places on the continuum due to the conditioning and fear-driven biases that have been instilled into me through upbringing, society and a host of other vicarious societal influences that have somehow contributed to the (mistaken?) belief that where I perch on that continuum is where I should remain. I welcome - if somewhat hesitantly - contributions to my insight on this - maybe I'm missing out on an inherent aspect of my humanity that I've yet to experience. Maybe I better get at it while I still can!
January 18th, 2008, 08:40 AM
Okay, in all seriousness. What I've recommended to friends who've posed essentially the same question you do, is to just make it okay to mentally explore the issue, and they'll usually get their answer without needing to jump up and do anything they might not enjoy.
Quoting Zan
So, have I told you I have a hot tub?
The older I get, the more I wonder about the beliefs I've clutched onto and accompanying choices I've made in this regard. Perhaps I've not experienced any other places on the continuum due to the conditioning and fear-driven biases that have been instilled into me through upbringing, society and a host of other vicarious societal influences that have somehow contributed to the (mistaken?) belief that where I perch on that continuum is where I should remain. I welcome - if somewhat hesitantly - contributions to my insight on this - maybe I'm missing out on an inherent aspect of my humanity that I've yet to experience. Maybe I better get at it while I still can!
Okay, in all seriousness. What I've recommended to friends who've posed essentially the same question you do, is to just make it okay to mentally explore the issue, and they'll usually get their answer without needing to jump up and do anything they might not enjoy.
January 18th, 2008, 09:07 AM
In all seriousness though, there are a lot of people who seem to think lately that they ought to physically try out a new gender, despite not really having a true desire to do so. Society has kind of gone too far with the issue in some ways, making people who have a fairly set identity in their minds question themselves. "Heck, if all my girlfriends are bi, what's wrong with me?" And while I think for almost everyone there will be a point in time where it's something they want, something they'll enjoy (entirely dependent on circumstance), pushing the issue into an unnartural moment will just complicate the issue (like your significant other dumping you at jenn's so she can turn you. lol)
You know your mind Zan.
In all seriousness though, there are a lot of people who seem to think lately that they ought to physically try out a new gender, despite not really having a true desire to do so. Society has kind of gone too far with the issue in some ways, making people who have a fairly set identity in their minds question themselves. "Heck, if all my girlfriends are bi, what's wrong with me?" And while I think for almost everyone there will be a point in time where it's something they want, something they'll enjoy (entirely dependent on circumstance), pushing the issue into an unnartural moment will just complicate the issue (like your significant other dumping you at jenn's so she can turn you. lol)
You know your mind Zan.
