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New Zealand
Bisexual Network
Bisexual Articles
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Bi-Cultrism
A vast majority of people has experienced some form of erotic attraction towards both sexes, no matter how brief, whether acted upon or not. Kinsey et al, stated that exclusive homosexuality and heterosexuality represented ends on a spectrum of human sexuality, with 80% of people falling in between these two groups. Sexuality lies on a continuum and bisexuality is one point of that continuum. Bisexual people tend to favour one sex over another recognising that they are attracted to both sexes. Since July 1998, The Pride Centre has been the umbrella organisation for the New Zealand Bisexual Network. To get this network happening has been a bit of a battle to say the least and to get gay friendly and mainstream advertising and promotion of this group has been like pulling teeth. So why is it so difficult to get a bisexual group started, well this question has perplexed me for months and I am sure all those other brave souls that went before me. Bisexual people are discriminated against for supposedly being more sexual, more confused, and indecisive. They are accused of being fence sitters who want the best of both worlds. These myths, or biphobias force many people to conceal who they are, hoping to protect themselves from intolerance from both the lesbian & gay communities and from the heterosexual community. Biphobia complicates the formation of sexual identity in bisexual people who internalise accusations that they are strange and confused. Most bisexuals consider themselves to part of the generic term gay, yet there is little tolerance for bisexuals in the gay community. Why then is there so much resistance to include bisexuals in the gay community? Why was there hardly any mention of bisexuality in the Hero Festival programme? Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark did not even mention the "B" word. It was put to me that it is possibly the fact that being bisexual is seen as being impure and that this is seen as a threat to the lesbian and gay community. It is viewed by many that bisexuality is a choice and that many bisexuals choose to be Bi just because it is fashionable. Well…… that is like saying the same of the lesbian and gay community, do we choose our sexual orientation? I think not! We do however choose to act on it or not. Bisexuality is a valid expression of our sexuality. One common conception about bisexuality is that it is a stage in the coming out process, on the way to "pure" homosexuality. Another is that it is an attempt by people who are uncomfortable with their lesbian and gay identity to hang onto heterosexual privilege. Perhaps for a few this is true but there is such a creature as a purely bisexual person. Gender is a part of what is experienced in love, but for bisexual people it is not a primary determinant of the choice. Other factors that which are considered more important are intelligence, empathy, responsibility and kindness to name but a few. Come out Come out, wherever you are! Bisexuals share with lesbians and gay men the experience of living in a heterosexist society and "coming out of the closet." Yet, to avoid stigma in the gay and lesbian communities they may find themselves in a second closet where they hide their bisexuality. Lesbian and gay men may have put a lot of effort into establishing their identity or community, or may be distancing themselves from past unpleasant heterosexual experiences. Bisexuality does not appear to fit with separatism. By being bisexual appears to weaken the political argument that gay and lesbian "don't have a choice". Bisexuals share concerns regarding the same issues with lesbian and the gay communities, not just half the time. Bisexuals do not get half stigmatised for having a same sex lover. As such, lesbian and gay issues are also bisexual issues.
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