In Bersani's essay "Against Monogomy," Freud sees bisexuality as a "fantasmic desiring women within a man" and a "fantasmic desiring man within a woman" and Judith Butler points out that bisexuality is "simply the coinsidence of two heterosexual desires." I happen to disagree. I think that there are several other factors to be considered indefining bisexuality and not just about a ghost living in a body that desires the opposite sex. In this same respect, Freud mentions that bisexuality helps us become "social beings" as opposed to just "familial being," which is interesting because the Oedipus Complex relates indentity to that of the female and male parent. Although this theory perplexes me, I can see how becoming a "social being" can be infinitely important especially when more identities are needed to help make sense of sexuality. Sexual desire in terms of both heterosexual and homosexual desire has been dissected for centuries. In relation to sexual behavior, sodomy is looked at as sinful and perverse, therefore instilling a negative connotation to homosexuality, especially in men. Religion also plays a big role in this. The actions or relationships of lesbians and gays isn't seen as expression of sexual desire or passion but as a disgrace to humanity. In this respect, I have to say that religion continues to imply that there is only one way to be - heterosexual. People stay closed and sacred to their own sexuality because of theories like these instead of just letting people explore sexuality without ataching a definition, theory or explanation.
I really liked your approach to this assignment. I have to agree with you that it is somwhat hard to understand how bisexuality is described, but also that we have to accept that sexuality is part of our identity and therefore we have to use it in order to make sense of ourselves.
ReplyDelete