Paula Claire, 1959–Bisexuality and the challenge to lesbian politics : sex, loyalty,
and revolution / Paula Claire Rust.
p. cm. — (The cutting edge)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8147-7444-X (cloth).—ISBN 0-8147-7445-8 (pbk.)
1. Lesbians—United States—Attitudes. 2. Lesbians—United
States—Identity. 3. Lesbians—United States—Psychology.
4. Bisexual women—United States—Attitudes. 5. Bisexual women—
United States—Psychology. 6. Bisexuality—Political aspects—
United States. 7. Lesbianism—Political aspects—United States.
8. Sexual behavior surveys—United States. I. Title. II. Series:
Cutting edge (New York, N.Y.)
HQ75.6.U5R87 1995 95-31419
305.48′9664—dc20 CIP
New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper, and
their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability.
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Dedicated
to all the women who made this study possible
by taking the time to complete a very long questionnaire
in the hope that our lives would become a little less invisible
and
to the memory of
Martin P. Levine
whose encouragement and mentorship
made this book, and my career as I know it, possible.
CONTENTS
1. Debate in the Lesbian Press: Introducing the Issues
Coverage of Bisexuality in the Lesbian and Gay Press
2. “Experts’” Voices: Lesbianism, Bisexuality, and the Social Sciences
The Great Debate—Essentialism versus Constructionism
A Brief History of Sexology in the United States
The Interplay of Politics and Science and the Downfall of the Dichotomous Conflict Model of Sexuality
3. Behind the Scenes: How the Study Was Done and Who Participated in It
A Brief and Nontechnical Lesson in Sampling Theory for Nonacademic Readers
How Lesbian and Bisexual Women Were Recruited to Participate in the Study
The Women Who Participated—Who Were They?
4. Lesbians’ Voices: What Do Lesbians Think about Bisexuality and Its Role in Sexual Politics?
Liberal Opinions and Mixed Feelings
What Is Bisexuality? Or, Will the Real Lesbian Please Stand Up?
Bisexuality as a Matter of Behavior
Bisexuality as a Matter of Feelings
Bisexuality as a Matter of Identity—Or a Denial of Identity
Bisexuality as a Matter of Preferences or Choices
