Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InterSEXions of the Others

Jonathan Alexander, Karen Yescavage

Psychology Press, 2003 - Psychology - 298 pages

Explore the common ground—and the important differences—between bisexuality and transgenderism!

This book, guaranteed to provoke debate and discussion of sexuality and gender, is the first devoted exclusively to the relationship between transgenderism and bisexuality. Combining the work of scholars and activists, professional writers and lay people, Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InterSEXions of the Others proesents ideas, thoughts, feelings, and insights from a variety of contributors who are committed to understanding—and deepening our understanding of—gender and sexuality. You’ll find scholarly essays, narratives, poetry, and a revealing interview with four male-to-female transsexuals, two of whom are married to women who also participate in the discussion. In addition, the book includes insightful chapters by well-known advocates of transgenderism, including Jamison “James” Green, Coralee Drechsler, and Matthew Kailey.

The editors of Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InterSEXions of the Others make the provocative but crucial claim that the larger queer community looks at “B” and “T” lives as mere “add-ons” to “L” and “G.” In this book they focus attention on bisexuality and transgenderism—moving the “margins” to center stage and exploring how sexuality, gender, desire, and intimacy are constructed and circulate in our society. The book’s inclusion of voices and scholarship from Eastern cultures challenges our understanding of sexuality and gender constructions all the more, giving this collection a global scope.

Here is a sample of what Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InterSEXions of the Others examines:

• biphobia and transphobia within the United States’ gay and lesbian community
• the bi/trans and subversive aspects of the works and images of cultural icons Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bernhardt
• how bisexual and transgendered identities are socially constructed through relationships
• the false promise of pomosexual play—why the concepts of postmodern sexuality fail to rewrite the construction of gender
• why swingers who practice bisexual and transgender behavior are often disdained and marginalized by other GLBT people
• suicidal thoughts and other mental health concerns of bisexual males and females, as well as transgender people
• Eastern perspectives on sexual/gender identities—with revealing chapters on gender identity in Japan and Indonesia

What people are saying

User Review -

I'm curious, what solid proof do you have to support your position that Angelina Jolie's character "Sway" in Gone in 60 Seconds is actually bisexual? She is a beautiful, feminine-butch mechanic, but there is no other indication to say that she is bisexual. That is speculation based on her profession. I am a model and a mechanic as well, obviously meaning I am a well-kept female that isn't afraid to work on cars either, but I am not a bisexual female. I too enjoy knives, video games, and other activities that men are primarily known for, but I am in no way bisexual. I have been happily married (to a man) for many years, and am rather offended by your inference about "Sway", purely based on the stereotype that a female must be bisexual or a lesbian if she engages in any activity that is men-ruled. Now I have not fully read your book, and the rest doesn't concern me, I am just defending that one section that refers to female mechanics. If anything, I would like to see some solid evidence. Did you talk with the directors and have them tell your first hand that "Sway" is indeed bisexual? Have you interviewed more female beautiful, feminine mechanics and have them tell you ALL girls that work on cars bat for the other team? I would love to hear all of this. Otherwise, you don't have a valid argument in this department. 

Contents

• INTRODUCTION: 1
• Archaeology of Biphobia and Transphobia Within the US Gay and Lesbian Community: 25
• Tieresius: 57
• BT CONCERNS IN COMMON: 63
• Going Beyond the Binaristic Limits of Gender?: 71
• Swing It Baby: 87
• Suicidal Intent Behavioral Difficulties and Mental Health Treatment: 93
• PERSONAL AND THEORETICAL BT IDENTITY FORMATIONS: 111
• Social Bodies Pagan Hearts: 117
• Discussing Transsexuality and Bisexuality with Some Women of CrossPort: 129
• Examining Bisexual and Transgender Identity Formation from a Dialectical Theoretical Perspective: 151
• BT POP CULTURAL ICONS: 171
• Angelina Jolie Bisexuality and the New Butch Femme: 181
• WESTERN INTERSECTIONS EASTERN APPROXIMATIONS: 203
• Outing and Duplicity: 249
• STEERING QUEER OF LGBTI IDENTITY POLITICS: 253
• An Argument for Queer: 265
• An Alternate Perspective: 277
• Index: 287

About the author

Jonathan Alexander is Professor of English and Chancellor

Jonathan Alexander is Professor of English and Chancellor

Jonathan Alexander is Professor of English and Chancellor s Fellow at the University of California, Irvine. He is a t s Fellow at the University of California, Irvine. He is a t s Fellow at the University of California, Irvine. He is a three-time recipient of the Ellen Nold Award for Best Articlehree-time recipient of the Ellen Nold Award for Best Articlehree-time recipient of the Ellen Nold Award for Best Articles in the field of computers and composition studies, and in s in the field of computers and composition studies, and in s in the field of computers and composition studies, and in 2011 was awarded the Charles Moran Award for Distinguished C2011 was awarded the Charles Moran Award for Distinguished C2011 was awarded the Charles Moran Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Field of Computers and Writing. His bookontributions to the Field of Computers and Writing. His bookontributions to the Field of Computers and Writing. His books include "Literacy, Sexuality, Pedagogy: Theory and Practics include "Literacy, Sexuality, Pedagogy: Theory and Practics include "Literacy, Sexuality, Pedagogy: Theory and Practice for Composition Studies" (2008) and "Digital Youth: Emergie for Composition Studies" (2008) and "Digital Youth: Emergie for Composition Studies" (2008) and "Digital Youth: Emerging Literacies on the World Wide Web" (2005); the coedited cong Literacies on the World Wide Web" (2005); the coedited cong Literacies on the World Wide Web" (2005); the coedited collections "Bisexuality and Queer Theory: Intersections, Connllections "Bisexuality and Queer Theory: Intersections, Connllections "Bisexuality and Queer Theory: Intersections, Connections and Challenges" (2011), "Bisexuality and Transgenderections and Challenges" (2011), "Bisexuality and Transgenderections and Challenges" (2011), "Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InterSEXions of the Others" (2004), and "Role Play: Disism: InterSEXions of the Others" (2004), and "Role Play: Disism: InterSEXions of the Others" (2004), and "Role Play: Distance Learning and the Teaching of Writing" (2006); and the tance Learning and the Teaching of Writing" (2006); and the tance Learning and the Teaching of Writing" (2006); and the coauthored books "Argument Now: A Brief Rhetoric" (2005) andcoauthored books "Argument Now: A Brief Rhetoric" (2005) andcoauthored books "Argument Now: A Brief Rhetoric" (2005) and "Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Composition" (2 "Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Composition" (2 "Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Composition" (2012).

012).

012).

Bibliographic information

• Title: Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InterSEXions of the Others; Volume 3 of Journal of Bisexuality Series
• Editors: Jonathan Alexander, Karen Yescavage
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Psychology Press, 2003
• ISBN: 1560232870, 9781560232872
• Length: 298 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Human Sexuality; SELF-HELP / Sexual Instruction; Social Science / Gay Studies; Social Science / Gender Studies