Читать книгу Bisexuality and the Challenge to Lesbian Politics - Paula C Rust - Страница 26

Several lesbian women in this study stated that sexuality is a private matter and that people have the right to do or be what they want (figure 4.1). This liberal opinion leaves the question of bisexual existence open; presumably, these respondents believe that a woman is bisexual if she says she is and that there is no universal definition of bisexuality on which to base an opinion as to whether bisexuality exists. Several of these women said simply, “to each her own,” while others like Sue were only slightly more verbose: “Each of us has a right and a responsibility ‘to thine own self be true.’ Another person’s sexual preference is not my business or concern.”

Surprisingly few women expressed ambivalence or mixed thoughts about bisexuality. One of these women appears to be in a state of acute conflict over the question of bisexual existence,

I believe in it and yet I don’t. Which I guess means that while I know what it is (?) I don’t understand it. But then I do. I wonder how can anyone know what gender they really are attracted to. And yet the men some bi women go with! (Amy)

but others seem to be quite content with their mixed feelings:

My gut reaction is to think it’s a cop-out for people who can’t admit their homosexuality, but my intellectual reaction is much more positive. I have to think a lot to hold these negative feelings in check when dealing with bisexuals. (Sharon)