Welcome back, and happy pride month!
Sorry about the temporary hiatus – many of you know that my partner and I are expecting our first child soon, and the first trimester knocked me on by butt for a bit; but I’m finally getting back into some of my routines! I’ve had this blog post planned for Pride month ever since I read the ARC for this book back in March, and I’m so excited to finally share it with y’all.
This book is especially near and dear to my heart, as I have realized over the last year or so that I am bisexual. It’s taken some time to figure out what that means for me as a woman in a committed relationship with a wonderful man, but books like this, and stories from others in the bisexual community, have helped me understand myself so much better. I also went to my first Pride event this month, which was awesome – check-out the cute bisexual pride flag inspired make-up look!
I hope you enjoy this review!
Shining a light on the bisexual plight
In the last decade, and especially the last few years, LGBTQ+ communities around the world have made incredible strides for queer destigmatization, equality, inclusion, and visibility. However, each sub-group within this larger queer community has not, unfortunately, been afforded equal amounts of progress.
While the Ls and Gs have been a part of public conversation for much of this millennium, and Ts have also rightfully entered the stage in the last several years, there is still a surprising lack of civil dialogue around the Bs, and much of the conversation that does take place is to this day shrouded in assumptions and myths. What’s more, these harmful stereotypes are often perpetrated from both within the queer community and outside of it.
A validating and informative book on bisexuality, sexuality, and queer communities
As a recently realized bisexual woman, Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality was extraordinarily validating, and just made me feel very seen. In it, Dr. Julia Shaw, a German-Canadian psychologist addresses and dispels many common myths about bisexuality, discusses bisexual culture and how it fits into the larger queer community, recounts the painful and ongoing history of bisexual discrimination throughout the world, and analyzes scientific studies relating to bisexuality. I wish I could share all the highlights I quoted, because there were a LOT. (I will share them once I receive my edited copy, as I received an unedited ARC).
Despite the focus on bisexuality, many of the insights and information Shaw provides relate to the greater queer community as well, and to human sexuality as a whole. She masterfully focuses in on the plight of the bisexual, while not at all diminishing the struggles of others in the queer community.
Lots of scientific research on bisexuality; not enough personal insight
Although Shaw is open and critical about the lack of research on specifically bisexual issues, she nevertheless provides ample evidence and scientific studies to support many of her controversial claims: that bisexuality was considered once the default in nature (and still is for many species), that bisexuals are no more likely to cheat in relationships than heterosexuals, that bisexual women are victims of sexual violence more often than lesbian or heterosexual women. The list goes on. Each chapter is followed by a helpful list of resources for anyone wanting further details about the studies she cites.
This strength is also, oddly, one of my only complaints of the book: it includes a lot of scientific studies and quotes from said studies or researchers. While the scientific data is often enlightening and necessary (and sometimes horrifying, like the statistics on sexual violence against bisexual individuals), sexuality is a deeply personal issue. As such, I found myself wanting to hear more of Shaw’s insights about the studies, or possibly more examples of specific bisexual stories. I didn’t want the amount of scientific data to shrink; instead, I wanted more added of Shaw’s or other individuals’ own experiences with their bisexuality.
This book is probably for you if...
That being said, this book is deeply important, and highlights just how important it is for each sub-culture within the queer community to receive its own space, as well as being a part of the larger community. This book is for you if you:
- are a bisexual individual
- think you might be bisexual
- know someone who is bisexual (hint: you probably do)
- are an LGBT+ ally
- are interested in sociology & human sexuality
- like good non-fiction books
Thank you to NetGalley and AbramsPress for an advanced copy of this! This book will be available for purchase in the US on June 28, 2022. Pre-order it now!
Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or
guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects
you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my
visitors would enjoy your work. If you’re
even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
Hi there! Writing an e-book isn’t in my goals anytime soon but I’d love to chat about guest authoring for another blog or website!