Embracing the “And”: Between Queer and Bisexual Theory at Brighton BiFest

Abstract

Questions of bi identities can be invisibilized and overlooked by queer theorizing and LGBT studies. This article explores the ways in which complex performances of bisexuality can simultaneously encompass and deconstructively critique bi identity in a manner that embraces the "and" between bi and queer, offering important insights into how bi is lived, contested, and reaffirmed. Drawing on the BiCon and BiFest events in the UK, we argue that both the materialities (and supposed fixities) of bi erasures and exclusions and the fluidities that trouble the heterosexual/homosexual divides offer key insights into the spatial and temporal fixing and unfixing of identities.

Introduction to the Special Issue: EuroBiReCon: (Inter)National Research Frontiers

“…I found inspiration in, for instance, conversations between queer theory and bisexuality (e.g., Anderlini-D'Onofrio & Alexander, 2009;Voss, Browne & Gupta, 2014) to engage with broader social theories to further understandings of the social realities of bisexual people. Around the same time of our first call for papers, the early summer of 2015, Monro (2015) engages with, among others, interactionism, intersectionality, citizenship studies, and Bourdieu's theory of practice to discuss bisexual identities, communities, policies, and lived experiences to understand different aspects of the everyday lives of bisexual people but also their community experiences (also Monro, 2016).…”

Epistemic Injustice: Towards Uncovering Knowledge of Bisexual Realities in Social Work Research

“…Bringing greater awareness to the complexity of sexual and gender identity could have transformative effects on how research is conducted. Further, sexual and gender identity can be seen as temporally fluid, as they are not necessarily fixed points in one's life (Voss, Browne, & Gupta, 2014). Some scholars in social work have begun to acknowledge and recognize the increasing evidence that sexual and gender identity are not binary categories, that binary categories might not even be an accurate way of understanding these phenomena (Burdge, 2007;Gringeri & Roche, 2010).…”

“…This is the ongoing tension that the field of social work must grapple with: acknowledging that these social identities indeed are very much a reality for people while at the same time being careful not to simplify or dismiss the complexity that exists within a particular social category or identity. Maintaining this tension in social work -affirming a bisexual identity that is used for political strategizing without assigning ontological integrity to it -may allow for greater visibility, empowerment, and acknowledgment of the diverse bisexual experience while simultaneously allow for social activism that addresses bisexual marginalization which creates deeply felt social and material exclusions (Voss et al, 2014). Bringing in a queer perspective to social work allows for a problematization of social categories and offers a broader approach for understanding sexuality.…”

Bisexual Safe Space(s) on the Internet: Analysis of an Online Forum for Bisexuals

“…Possibly we can add bisexual parties as well (Voss et al . ). While there is much to criticise on the work of, for instance, Hemmings and Eadie (see Maliepaard 2015a, 2015b), the notion of bisexual safe spaces is still underexplored – especially in relation to the Internet and online activities.…”