Words, binary and biphobia, or: why “bi” is binary but “FTM” is not

bialogue-group:

fuckyeahqueertheory:

I have identified as bisexual for the reason that I’m attracted to men and women. As this article makes a point, this would mean I wouldn’t be attracted to genderqueer and possibly trans*.

Respectfully and quite urgently I need to point out to you that the title is meant to be sarcastic. The author of piece, Shiri Eisner is a well known bisexual activist and academic who is genderqueer herself. She in no way meant anywhere to imply in any possible way that bisexual people can only be/be attracted to cis heteronormative/homonormative people. In fact the exact opposite is true.

The entire thrust of the piece is to point out (with careful documentation) that some of the roots of transphobia and biphobia are the same and go back to some of the origins of the gay studies movement.

The title was pointing out the excessiveness silliness of (some) mindless pc rhetoric which excoriates bisexual people as being some sort of enemies of the queer nation for the crime of simply existing, while simultaneously falling all over themselves to show love and devotion to all things trans* and frequently gay & lesbian separatist too. Obviously if any thought were actually given rather that just mouthing current trendy pieties, it would quickly become apparent that these are two simultaneous states that cannot both exist at the same time.

May I refer you to two other essays on the current non-monosexual names conundrum: Why I identify as bisexual and not pansexual and Some differences and similarities between bisexuality and pansexuality. Also you may wish to read another of her well-known essays: The monosexual privilege checklist.

You should be aware that historically the Bisexual Community has always seen the Bi = 2 as talking about people who ♥ people of Same gender as themselves + ♥ people of Different genders/gender presentations from themselves. This 50%/50% Male/Female only stuff is a fairly recent invention (started gaining popularity around 2005) imposed by people who were not (and frequently did not like) bisexual people.

You may also wish to look at the following:
* Bisexual Manifesto from 1990
* Definition of Bisexuality from Robyn Ochs
* Bi Definition
* Bisexual FAQ from Bisexual Index

Words, binary and biphobia, or: why “bi” is binary but “FTM” is not