Deck 24: Becoming Bisexual

Question 1

Which of the following excerpts from Weinberg et al's interview data is an example of the stage of Initial Confusion in developing a bisexual identity?

A) "I thought I had to be either gay or straight."
B) "When I'm with a man or a woman sexually for a period of time, then I begin to wonder how attracted I really am to the other sex."
C) "I just decided I was bi. I trusted my own sense of self"
D) "I guess at that point I began to define myself as bisexual."

Answer 1

"I thought I had to be either gay or straight."

Question 2

Which of the following excerpts from Weinberg et al's interview data is an example of the stage of Finding and Applying the Label in developing a bisexual identity?

A) "One of the myths about bisexuality is that you can't be bisexual without being 'schizoid'."
B) "I realized that the problem of bisexuality isn't mine. It's society's."
C) "When I first had sexual feelings for females, I had the sense I should give up my feelings for men.'
D) "I never knew there was such a word. If I had heard the word earlier on…I might have been bisexual then."

Answer 2

"I never knew there was such a word. If I had heard the word earlier on…I might have been bisexual then."

Question 3

Which of the following excerpts from Weinberg et al's interview data is an example of the stage of Settling into the Identity in developing a bisexual identity?

A) "Reading The Bisexual Option…I realized then that bisexuality really existed and that's what I was."
B) "I thought I had to be either gay or straight."
C) "I just decided I was bi. I trusted my own sense of self."
D) "When I first had sexual feelings for females, I had the sense I should give up my feelings for men."

Answer 3

"I just decided I was bi. I trusted my own sense of self."

Question 4

Which of the following excerpts from Weinberg et al's interview data is an example of the stage of Continued Uncertainty in developing a bisexual identity?

A) "I learned to accept the fact that there a lot of people out there who aren't accepting."
B) "Reading The Bisexual Option…I realized then that bisexuality really existed and that's what I was."
C) "When I first had sexual feelings for females, I had the sense I should give up my feelings for men."
D) "I felt very confused about how I was going to manage my life in terms of developing relationships with both men and women."

Question 5

The stage of Initial Confusion in developing a bisexual identity is marked by a

A) recognizing that bisexuality represents confusion about their "true" sexual identity.
B) period of considerable confusion, doubt and struggle about their sexual identity.
C) appreciating what both males and females have to offer both romantically as well as sexually.
D) learning to accept who one is regardless of society's dictates.

Question 6

The stage of Finding and Applying the Label in developing a bisexual identity is marked by

A) discovery of the term or accepting the fact that one is strongly attracted to both sexes.
B) a sudden but definitive repulsion to heterosexuality.
C) recognizing that bisexuality represents confusion about their "true" sexual identity.
D) learning how to "just say no" to feelings for one or the other sex.

Question 7

The stage of Settling into the Identity in developing a bisexual identity is marked by

A) a more complete transition in self-labeling of oneself as bisexual and becoming more self-accepting and less concerned with negative attitudes.
B) acceptance of the view that bisexuality represents confusion about their "true" sexual identity.
C) learning how to "just say no" to feelings for one or the other sex.
D) appreciating what both males and females have to offer romantically as well as sexually.

Question 8

Discuss the four stages of "becoming bisexual" presented by Weinberg et al. What are the issues and concerns for a person at each stage of this process?

Question 9

Compare the unique challenges, sociologically speaking, of becoming bisexual as opposed to gay/lesbian or straight.

Question 10

Many bisexual respondents reported they could behave exclusively homosexual or heterosexual for the sake of a committed or long term relationship. This seems to contradict the definition of bisexuality. Discuss this finding in light of the general issues surrounding defining a consistent bisexual identity.