Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution

This is an important book in the field of bisexual politics--the best I've seen. It brought me up to date with the new approaches I've missed since moving away from my beloved San Francisco bi community in 1994. Eisner's thesis is brilliant: Instead of countering every negative stereotype about bisexuality by trying to prove that we're actually well-behaved, loyal, monogamous conformists, she urges us to "examine why society places bisexuality on the side of anxiety, threat, and subversion." And she asks, "How can we use these very things to disrupt social order and create social change?" WOW. This book opened my eyes about the bi/trans experience, bisexuality and men, and the parallels between bisexuality and racialization. I was interested in Eisner's assertion that bisexuality is a minority-world (Western-world) construct; I would have liked more development on that point. I disagreed with her extremely negative views on the marriage equality movement and our involvement in it. My state, New Mexico, is just beginning to get marriage equality county by county, and over the past two weeks I've attended six jubilant same-sex weddings. It melts the most cynical heart to see two women in their 80s who have been together 51 years get married at the end of their lives. I think queers are changing the institution from the inside, rather than conforming to it. Few of us are naïve enough to think marriage will solve all our problems as individuals or as a community. But this book wouldn't be a radical manifesto if every reader could agree with every point. I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in queer politics and gender politics, regardless of how they self-identify. I'm hoping to get a book study group started in my town, which at this point has one vocal bisexual that I know of--me!

This is a slightly academic read about how to address common stereotypes about bisexuals by saying, Yes, I am that way. What's wrong with that? It's very sassy, and totally exploded my thinking about why to call myself bisexual, what it really means and what it can mean- how there's so much rebellion in letting people believe you are one thing, only to show them another. I also love that it calls everyone out about their slut-shaming ways-I loved the way this book reframed so many "slutty" experiences as bisexual as a huge middle finger to patriarchy and the mess it's made of both hetero and homosexuality.

In an era where both straight and gay cis people act disgusted by both trans people like myself and bisexuals like my partner alike, this book was a much needed boost. We have both been ostracized merely for not towing the cisgender and monosexual binary. Anyone who has felt this way, or the random cis gay or straight person who actually cares about justice and acceptance for all marginalized sexualities and gender alignments (rather than selfishly enjoying their newfound position as, say, a biphobic, transmisogynist cis lesbian with a stay at home wife and baby, or a gay cis man gleefully making comments about how "gross" trans people and cis women are) should get this book.

If you are bisexual this book will speak to you. It is a great response to the way monosexuals treat bisexuals. The author discusses how bisexuality relates to other issues such as feminism, trans identity and race. She also suggests that bisexuals should embrace negative stereotypes and see them in a positive way. Overall, it is an interesting book with an alternative perspective.

I wanted to like this book - I really did. But every time a statement or thought was made, it was followed by ‘of course that’s not to say this opposing viewpoint isn’t also true...’ It was so cumbersome to read that I got bored every few pages. As a bisexual person, I wanted to connect with this book and learn more about the bi community. Instead I felt alienated by the books need to make every kind of person or group that might be reading it feel included and represented. While I believe all people are valid, to be respected, and deserve a voice, I couldn’t connect with my sexuality because it felt like the content was all over the place. If you’re looking for an all encompassing viewpoint, this might be for you. If, like me, you’re looking for something to really connect with your sexuality and continue to discover your sense of self, this may not be the book for you.

Love this book. The introduction portion was a little hard to get into but once you get into the body of the book the writer is very well spoken about the topic of bisexuality. For me, it helped to understand my place in the LGBT community as I have only been out 5 years and there are not many ppl that I have interacted with that relate to the challanges of coming out and living as a bisexual. I really enjoy this book, it has helped me feel empowered in my sexuality. Thank you!

An excellent book that delves into the intersecting mechanisms of monosexism and multiple other forms of oppression. Great for organizing and/or teaching. Easily accessible language would make this a great text for sexualities or social justice classes.

This book has been very influential in how I think about opression, and has changed my understanding of these issues in a major way. I appriciate the fact that the author takes time to define terms and give context. A must read.

...non per me che me la cavo alla grande con l'inglese, ma per il resto della comunità lgt+ italiana non anglofona che ancora ha difficoltà nel capire ed accettare la comunità bisex. Il libro è fatto benissimo. Non ho ancora finito di leggerlo, ma fin'ora mi ha dato grandissime soddisfazioni e lo userò come strumento per far conoscere al meglio la comunità bisex.

Broad but coherent look at bisexual theory that doesn't talk down or bore to tears. Not all ideas are gems, but I defy you to show me any one ideologically pure piece of queer/lgbtq theory. Sure to inspire budding interests in bisexual activism.

This book gave words to the issues I wanted to talk about, things I felt where wrong both inside and outside the community. It is a wonderful read and you will not be disappointed. Oh and for those worried about being triggered the most common triggers are preceded by trigger warnings. It does better on attempting gender inclusiveness than any book i've read, and even goes on to explain why there is the assumption of male exclusiveness, racism, misogyny, and bi issues within the LGBT community, better yet it even covers the reasons behind why these are issues. All bisexuals should read this book. It should be a requirement. Yes it's that good.

Äußerst lesenswertes Buch, welches sich neben Bisexualität auch mit allgemeinen LGBTQ-Themen im Kontext unserer Gesellschaft beschäftigt. Man mag nicht mit allen Punkten einhergehen und sich nicht in jeder Situation wiederfinden, aber in manchen Punkten öffnet es einem sogar die Augen. Ein sehr interessantes Buch, ich habe es regelrecht zerpflückt.

Seguo da tempo l'autrice sui social networks. Il libro tratta l'interessante tema della bisessualità. L'autrice affronta con sagacia questa tematica che in Italia è da considerarsi quasi impensabile. Purtroppo un libro del genere difficilmente troverà una traduzione ma vale davvero la pena. La bifobia, gli stereotipi e l'attivismo nella direzione bi sono spiegati in luce critica in modo molto interessante. Ha vinto il premio LAMBDA 2014 come miglior saggio a tematica bisex