From: Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu (Albert Lunde)
Subject: Re: Bi's Attacked ?? What to you think??
Followup-To: soc.bi
Reply-To: Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu (Albert Lunde)
Organization: Ministry of Silly Walks
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 16:10:43 GMT

In article <1992Apr4.150241.14066@panix.com> habs@panix.com (Harry Shapiro)
writes:
>
>Please comment here on this newgroup about your reactions to
>the following. [...]
>
> Part of the problem for me is that if I thought that my gay identity was
> solely a "sexual" one, then I would not be here hosting this conference; I
> would not be active in other forums on other online services. My gay
> identity is cultural, social, and at the end of the list, sexual. I am a
> homo sapiens before I am a homosexual.
> 
> The point being (for me), that I have a problem with a forum which
> describes itself in sexual minority terms. 

Being gay/homosexual is cultural not sexual; being bisexual is a
sexual minority (!?!?)

> 
> There  was a problem not too long ago in the Gay and Lesbian Forum on
> america online; separate conference rooms were desired for the bisexual
> members, who wanted their own space. Certain lesbians were vocal about
> having their own space.  TV/TS/CGs then took up the hue and cry. My point
> throughout the whole debacle was (and is) by breaking ourselves down into
> smaller and smaller groups, we are breaking down our "mental living
> environment" at the same time -- which only serves to reinforce
> self-induced closeting, stereotypes
> etc. The forum is still the Gay and Lesbian Forum. The conference space is
> shared. Concentrating on things that bring us together is infinitely
> preferable to me than seeking out our differences.
> The NEED to be recognized in some formal way should NOT be a replacement
> for self-acceptance and self-awareness. 

Open communication with peers may be an important component of
self acceptance/awareness.

I agree that breaking down into subgroups cannot be our only social
trend.  Total Bi seperatism may well against our interests.  We all
need to also work and communicate together.

I am concerned if we paper over our differences, we will build new
closets.

>The idea that you can stop at
> "Gay/Lesbian/Bi" is preposterous. I do not buy into the idea of a "queer"
> identity, I am sorry. The idea of a gay or lesbian community is almost
> ridiculous -- just because two people are gay does not mean that they have
> any thing in common. However, I do believe that there are certain
> commonalities that define the gay and lesbian experience. Does such a
> definition exist for bisexuals? I don't know. Do I think this is a
> "misplacement" of energy? Yes. Seeing discrimination in the semantics of
> the banner smacks of a political correctness that I have a hard time
> accepting at face value.

He seems to say that gay or lesbian community or politics is valid but Bi 
or lesbigay or queer community/politics is not.  We are very diverse, but a 
dozen years have convinced me that Bis have enough in common to build 
community and politics. I've "paid my dues" literally and figuratively 
to the gay and lesbian communities.  I don't want "equal time" for Bis at 
any price, or in every case, but I would like some (relatively cheap) 
visiblity and the recognition that we've been here all along.

I am afraid that Bi activists will get a reputation for having a 
chip on our shoulder and I don't see how to be visible without
speaking up.

He poses the question - once you start including bisexuals where do
you draw the line?   Other sexual minorities will rush in. 

<gasp!> <queers, deviants, and perverts!>

<Mmmm... Oh...>

I've had this argued against inclusion of Bis elsewhere. On one hand,
bisexuality is along the same dimension of human sexuality - sexual
orientation; on the other hand I'm not sure I want to "draw the line".

<The author pauses to sing a few choruses of "I'm a Lumberjack and
I'm OK" then shifts over into "I am what I am" - a medley of the songs 
of the Village People and La Cage aux Folles.>

I want Bi visiblity, Bi-focused spaces and Bi participation in a wider
community.
-- 
 Albert Lunde         | Interfaith  |     *Y*Y*      "A branch on the
 Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu |  Bisexual   |      *Y*        tree of life"
 alunde@nuacvm.bitnet |  Feminist   |.......|.........................
Newsgroups: soc.bi