From: woodhous@latcs1.lat.oz.au (Joe P Woodhouse)
Newsgroups: soc.bi,alt.polyamory
Subject: Bi pamphlet - enough already! 8->
Date: 31 Aug 92 13:43:23 GMT
Organization: Comp Sci, La Trobe Uni, Australia
Originator: woodhous@latcs2.lat.oz.au


   Cripes! I've already had several people email me to post the pamphlet...
OK, OK, keep your hats on! 8->

   The pamphlet was printed sidewards on A4 (which is the normal letter
size) in 3 columns & folded into thirds. We had many copies on all the
GL tables...and alas, it was the only printed material *anyone* had that
mentioned Bi issues at all.

   It was extremely well received by everyone we've talked to...even the
very Bi-unfriendly GL people didn't seem to mind it that much.

   Anyway, onto the pamphlet! It kinda looks a bit boring without the
special effects & fonts we cooked up... 8->

   Oh, to answer a question in advance - we didn't put any local contact
organization on it...as there is none that we know of in our state.
We're considering looking into maybe setting one up...but that's another
story.

   One criticism *I* have of it, looking back on it now, is that is just
didn't say enough...but we were juggling space & time issues, and we 
thought if we made it too long people would be bored. But enough apologies,
here it is. Maybe it could provide some inspiration for a similar Poly
pamphlet...

*****************pamphlet begins here*******************
[cover]

Bisexuality
===========

Some Questions Answered
-----------------------


A recent US study found that 30% of youth suicides were linked to 
problems related to one's sexuality.

Young people are facing a lack of information and understanding 
from others. Many are confused about their sexualities.

"I'm attracted to women, but I can't be a lesbian because I'm still 
attracted to men...what am I?" is a typical question.

It's thus very important that unprejudiced information be 
available on all the options.

This pamphlet is a first step in that direction.


[rest of pamphlet]

Q. So what exactly is a Bisexual?

A. A Bisexual is someone who's sexually and emotionally 
attracted to people of both genders.


Q. So they're equally interested in men & women?

A. Not necessarily. Some are, some aren't. Some say they're 
attracted to men & women in different ways, others say gender 
just isn't relevant to who they're interested in.


Q. Doesn't being interested in both genders mean they're only half 
as interested in either?

A. Most Bisexuals will probably say that when they're interested 
in someone, they're interested in them 100%. Just like you & I.


Q. Aren't people really either heterosexual or homosexual?

A. No. It's well recognized in medical and psychological circles 
that bisexuality is a very real & genuine sexuality.
But anyway, there are plenty of Bisexuals around who can tell you 
that.


Q. Isn't it just a phase?

A. No more than being heterosexual or homosexual is.


Q. But isn't it a transition to being lesbian or gay?

A. Maybe for some people. Some lesbians or gay men "come out" as 
Bisexual first, but many Bisexuals remain bisexual for the rest 
of their lives.


Q. But surely they're just confused, they haven't made up their 
minds yet?

A. Don't make the mistake of assuming there are only 2 options to 
choose from. Bisexuality is an option in it's own right. A lack of 
information about Bisexuality is probably the cause of most 
confusion a bisexual might feel.


Q. Didn't Freud think we're all Bisexual?

A. Not quite - Freud thought we were all born Bisexual, and may 
develop a preference later in life. No-one's really quite sure about 
this, but most people have had at least some feeling for both 
genders at some stage in their lives.


Q. Suppose I have - does that mean I'm bisexual too?

A. Strictly speaking, maybe. But what you call yourself is up to 
you. Some may feel the attraction they feel for one gender isn't 
enough to call themselves Bisexual. Some people have other 
reasons for not identifying as Bisexual as well.


Q. Like what?

A. Some people may want to feel "normal" and think of themselves 
as heterosexual. Others for political or social reasons may wish 
to identify with the Lesbian & Gay communities.


Q. Doesn't the term "Lesbian & Gay" include "Bisexual" as well?

A. That's a hot issue. Some people think so, but there are plenty 
(bisexual and otherwise) who disagree. Lesbians fought for the 
right to be explicitly named, because they felt invisible. That 
battle's really only just beginning for Bisexuals.


Q. So why aren't the Bisexuals more visible?

A. Well, no-one walks around with "Bisexual" stamped on their 
foreheads. It's very easy to miss them - if you see 2 people of the 
same gender kissing, you don't stop to ask if they might be 
bisexual. And they might be.

Similarly, a lot of apparently heterosexual people might in fact 
be bisexual too. 

Also, there's a real lack of information about bisexuality in our 
libraries and the media. And there are very few organisations that 
specifically address Bisexual issues. Some bisexual people have 
felt as if no-one knows they even exist.


Q. Haven't they received a lot of publicity for spreading AIDS?

A. Bisexuals have been targeted as scapegoats by people who 
think of AIDS as being a "Gay disease". Bisexuals are thought to be 
a "bridge" group between the heterosexual and homosexual 
communities.

Let's get things straight (forgive the pun). One thing spreads AIDS 
- transmission of fluids. The AIDS virus neither knows nor cares 
what your sexuality is. Safe sex will go a long way towards 
helping stop the spread of AIDS - and it's the straight community 
who needs to pay attention to that.


Q. OK, I've heard what you've said so far. Where's the Bisexual 
Movement?

A. You're holding part of it in your hands. Historically speaking, 
Bisexuals have been part of the Lesbian & Gay Movement right 
from the beginning. And they're still there now, too. They're fighting 
the same sorts of issues : discrimination based on who they love, 
for one.

The Bisexual Movement here is still young, but give it time.


**************pamphlet ends here***************

   So, did we totally botch it up then? 8->

Joe (& Karina who deserves a mention too, wouldn't be a pamphlet without
     her).

  / Joe Woodhouse        / I'm just a sweet bisexual...   / Hello, there.
 / Latrobe University   /    (think - Rocky Horror)      / Threesomes are fun.
/ Melbourne, Australia / Music. Magic. Mathematics. Me. / I like cats! (miaow!)