āOne common stereotype is that bisexuals are promiscuous because of any inability to commit themselves to long-term monogamous relationships. This stereotype arises out of the Western dualistic conception of sexuality, in which heterosexuality and homosexuality are constructed as the two basic forms of sexuality. Within this view, bisexuality can be conceptualized only as a hybrid form of sexuality, in which heterosexuality is mixed with homosexuality. The bisexual person is, therefore, not holistically bisexual but dualistically half heterosexual and half homosexual. Because heterosexuality and homosexuality are often conceptualized as conflicting or opposing forms of sexuality, bisexuals are believed to experience conflict between their āheterosexual desiresā and their āhomosexual desires.ā This conflict allegedly surfaces in bisexualsā attempts to form stable relationships with others; for example, when a bisexual is with someone of the same sex, she is thought to experience an unsatisfied desire for someone of the other sex that will threaten the stability and longevity of her same-sex relationship, and conversely when she is with someone of the other sex. Her relationship with a single person of a particular gender is perceived as an expression and fulfilment of her āheterosexual sideā or her āhomosexual sideā rather than her bisexuality. Thus, the bisexualās ability to form relationships with members of both sexes is interpreted as a need for relationships with members of both sexes, a need that cannot be fulfilled by any one relationship and that therefore dooms the bisexual to a life of promiscuity or, at best, serial monogamy in an effort to satisfy both sides of her conflicted self. To recognize the absurdity of such a leap in logic, imagine concluding that a person who finds both blue and brown eyes attractive would require two lovers, one with each eye color, instead of concluding that this person would be happy with either a blue-eyed or a brown-eyed lover.ā
- Paula C. Rust, Bisexuality: The Psychology and Politics of a Sexual Minority
āThe stereotype of the bisexual who has concurrent female and male lovers or who alternates female and male lovers in an effort to satisfy both sides of her desire is supported by another common stereotype- that is, that bisexuality is a phase or a temporary form of sexuality adopted by people who are either coming out as lesbian or gay or returning to heterosexuality. Because bisexuality is perceived as temporary or transitional, others are rarely willing to accept the bisexualās claim to bisexuality as face value. Instead, they watch for clues that will reveal the bisexualās ārealā orientation. Often, the clue is found when the bisexual chooses a single partner. Because that one partner usually has a particular gender, the gender of that partner is used as evidence that the bisexual has ācome out as gayā if the partner is same-sex or that she has āreturned to heterosexualityā is the partner is other-sex. Thus, as soon as a bisexual chooses a single partner, she is no longer perceived as bisexual, thereby tautologically proving the point that bisexuals cannot be monogamous. In this way, the stereotype that bisexuality is a phase serves to bolster the stereotypes that bisexuals are promiscuous and nonmonogamous.ā
- Paula C. Rust, Bisexuality: The Psychology and Politics of a Sexual Minority
āBisexual stereotypes are also reinforced by the popular tendency to see bisexuality strictly as a sexual and behavioral phenomenon rather than as a social or political identity. When bisexuality is defined strictly in terms of sexual behavior, a bisexual is by definition a person who is simultaneously involved with both a woman and a man and therefore necessarily nonmonogamous. But this is a very narrow definition that does not correspond to the way most bisexuals define their bisexuality and is therefore of very limited practical or therapeutic value. Most people who consider themselves bisexual do so because they feel attracted to both women and men, because they believe they could potentially become involved with either women or men, or because they have had relationships with both women and men in the past and do not wish to adopt either a lesbian/gay or heterosexual identity that would effectively deny the reality of part of their sexual feelings or experiences.ā
- Paula C. Rust, Bisexuality: The Psychology and Politics of a Sexual Minority
