Scoobybounding.

i don’t think society’s understanding of bisexuality (as such) is ever entirely removed from attitudes about same-sex sexuality. but i also think that the question of bisexuality–whether it can exist and how it would look–can skip around questions about gay sexuality, and go directly to the question of sex/gender difference. 

at one level, the question of bisexuality is “can men and women fulfill the same sexual role?” in other words: are they interchangeable to a bisexual partner. the question presupposes that when seeking a partner, we are looking for someone who can fulfill a set (sexual) role, which is linked to gender. this is based in a paradigm that sees (hetero)sexuality as the union of two complementary elements (male and female), which are each assumed to have specific bodily characteristics and to use their bodies in certain ways during sex.

the possibility that a man and a woman could fulfill the same sexual role–and therefore be equally and fully suitable for a bisexual person–is typically rejected. men and women are understood to have opposite/complementary bodies and roles during sex. instead, bisexual desire (as “attraction to men and women”) is imagined to be satisfied only by a representative of each gender. bisexuality then becomes a three-person sexuality. the view that bisexuality requires multiple partners–through promiscuity, cheating, or group sex–can sometimes seem to eclipse concerns about same-sex sexuality, although it won’t be entirely divorced from them.

a few points to draw from this:

1) grappling with the social interpretation and stigma of bisexuality means unraveling the way sex/gender difference is constructed and how it frames sexuality. views about bisexuality aren’t a product of an abstract “binary thinking,” but are a product of gender dualism in particular. 

western gender dualism isn’t a simple binary either: it both constructs and erases difference along multiple lines. lorraine o’grady describes the racial construction of sexual difference: “…the not-white woman as well as the not-white man are symbolically and even theoretically excluded from sexual difference. Their function continues to be, by their chiaroscuro, to cast the difference of white men and white women into sharper relief.” it is necessary to attend to the racial construction of gender/sex, and to consider what questions this raises about the construction and application of bisexuality as a concept. we must question, also, the biological essentialism that presents sex as a natural (pre-discursive) category and social identities (such as “man” and “woman”) as statuses inherent in the body.

2) the perceptions and reactions to bisexuality don’t exist apart from attitudes toward gay sexuality either, and some specific bisexual tropes are just applied homophobia. (bisexuality can also sometimes be seen as synonymous with same-sex sexuality; e.g. “practicing” bisexuality -> being with someone of the same gender.) but equally important–and what i want to stress here–is the fact that bi people and bi sexualities are not always covered only, or even primarily, by attitudes about bisexuality. 

this may seem paradoxical, but it’s not. in bi people’s actual lived experiences, homophobia and issues relating to same-sex sexuality may often eclipse issues tied to bisexual identity per se. this post talks about what’s needed to understand the concept of bisexuality, but not about lived bi sexualities, which are caught up in discourses of gay sexuality and heterosexuality as well as bisexuality. saying that bi people are always impacted only or most directly by attitudes about bisexuality is false and separates bi experiences from relevant social contexts. (particularly the context of same-sex sexuality.)

bisexuality is one concept among others that must be analyzed to understand bi sexualities. (see more)

me, a writer, staring at one sentence for 10 minutes straight: i don’t know what’s wrong with you but i don’t like you

Proud Loki is my fave Loki.

i need to stop sitting like a shrimp

a few reminders because i’m tired and angry

feel free to add more

my love language: making sure you feel safe enough to be vulnerable with me.

Modern fandom went awry when people stopped learning how to avoid content that upsets them and instead starting actively seeking it out.

I mean this in the kindest, most loving way possible, but babes you'll be so much happy when you stop focusing on what other people are doing and instead focus on what you like.

You'll never be able to stop people from liking what you hate, and the best way you'll find any peace of mind is properly utilizing blocking, blacklisting, and muting tools. Take it from someone who used to run a shipping discourse blog, fandom is supposed to be what you enjoy, stop focusing on things that upset you.

reblog if you’re gay, shy or a fucking idiot

JIMMY KIMMEL: Were you a Disney nut or something? KELLY MARIE TRAN: HUGE. I loved, like, all the animated movies. JK: So this must be a dream come true for you to be the lead in a Disney film. KMT: Yeah, yeah, it’s a big deal. JK: Are you a Disney princess now? Is that— KMT: I am technically a Disney princess, yeah!

★ Kelly Marie Tran went from being a lifelong Disney fan to being a Disney Princess ★

#WEARAMASK

PSC - Star Wars: Bail & Breha Organa

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Reblog if you support asexuals and aren’t a COWARD

RB if your blog is a safe, accepting space for asexuals!

me, watching my moots reblog this post

ASEXUALS AND ALLIES UNITE!

as the colder months approach: i wish you all a healthy, calm end of the year. i wish you tasty cups of tea, comfortable clothes, warm beds, nutritious meals in safe homes, good music, new friends and unwavering health. you deserve good things now.

i love characters who could get the absolute Shit kicked out of them and still be fine but as soon as someone touches/handles them gently it’s like “ah. im going to shatter to pieces now thanks”

it’s okay when you’re bi and don’t feel like you like different genders equally. it’s okay when you’re bi and have a preference. it’s okay when you’re bi and like different genders for different reasons. it’s okay when you’re bi and your attraction isn’t 50/50 for everything. you’re not broken, and aren’t a “fake bisexual” because you don’t fit into the stereotype. it’s okay.

To the person reading this, I hope tonight treats you gently, and that tomorrow looks brighter

no act of kindness is small and insignificant!!! if you choose to be kind and do good your choice matters and makes the world a better place. never underestimate a kind heart