Why bisexuality is queer

Non-dichotomous, de-colonial and intersectional reflections

Abstract

The essay starts with the author’s Positioning, a feminist practice of disclosing her own intellectual and political perspectives – since knowledge is situated, never neutral. In section 1. Coming to terms with bisexuality naming practices, labeling and definitions are discussed, to introduce the reader to the arena of debate around bisexuality and queer, and introduce intersectional and decolonial perspectives. Section 2. From the margins of queer theory demonstrates how bisexuality has occupied, from its very origins, a marginal space in Lgbti queer studies; it also touches upon the struggle against biphobia and for recognition of bisexual people. Section 3. Bisexuality and queer spaces - beyond Western eyes looks at the epistemological limitations of the monosexual paradigm within queer spaces, the necessity to decolonize them and use non-dichotomous perspectives. The section giving the title to the essay 4. Why bisexuality is queer explains the author’s motivations, to be taken as an axiomatic starting point for an earnest discussion among queer scholars and activists. 5. Re-queering the queer movement ends with the necessity of intersectional alliances, in order not to restrict to sex, gender and sexuality the subversive potential of the queer perspective; and the need to take into account some neglected topics, such as Poly-amorous and Asexual love.