Bi visibility in Germany
Dr Renate Baumgartner on monosexism, bi-negativity, and Bi+ identities in Europe.
Dr. Renate Baumgartner is a sociologist and a pharmacist, doing research on bisexual persons in Austria and holding empowerment seminars for bi- and plurisexual persons.
Why are you interested in research on bisexualilty?
I started to research on bisexuality, because I was aghast, how little research there is, especially in the German speaking countries.
Many young people don’t like to call themselves “heterosexual” anymore (You.Gov 2015) and the trend is increasingly towards diversification of sexualities.
Bisexuality is an important component if one wants to understand in which direction sexualities (will) develop.
3 things you wish everyone knew about bisexuality?
The definition of bisexuality means to desire more than one sex/ gender (and not necessarily to love men and women).
Bisexual people have a higher risk of becoming mentally ill or being victims of domestic violence, the risk is higher than for homosexual/ lesbian individuals.
There is a social norm for “monosexism”. This says that sexuality which focuses on one sex or gender is more valuable than that which focuses on more than one sex or gender. The most common bi-negative prejudices result from this norm, which assumes that bisexuality does not exist.
How do you define bisexuality?
I find Roby Ochs definition the most fitting: “I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I have in myself the potential to be attracted – romantically and/or sexually – to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.”
What do you think are the most pressing concerns within the bisexual community in 2020?
In the German speaking countries still: how can we be visible. In times of COVID-19 probably: how can we support our folks at home, so they get well through that time.
What bi research would you like people to know about?
With my college Emil Milepaard I have edited an anthology "Bisexuality in Europe: Sexual Citizenship, Intimate Relationships, and Bi+ Identities". It was published this year by Routledge. It is a wonderful collection of research from all over Europe (including Great Britain), with different themes like including relationship, community, and identity.
Are you bi? No