Bisexuality is a broad term that encompasses various individuals who are attracted to both men and women. It has been seen as a form of fluid sexual orientation where individuals may experience attraction towards multiple genders throughout their lifetime.
This definition can be challenging since it fails to account for the diverse experiences of bisexuals and how they navigate their identities. This paper seeks to examine the relationship between bisexuality and authenticity through an exploration of the concept of performance rather than essence. Authenticity refers to the idea of being true to oneself and one's values, while performance relates to acting out one's identity in public spaces. By examining these concepts together, this paper aims to offer insights into how bisexuals negotiate their identities and understandings of self in a heteronormative society. The notion of authenticity suggests that people should be truthful about who they are without putting up pretense or façade. This implies that bisexuals have a 'true nature' which they must adhere to despite societal pressures to conform to binarized gender norms. On the other hand, performance suggests that individuals present themselves according to social expectations and cultural norms. In terms of bisexuality, this means that there is no inherent essence or nature but rather a constructed performance based on personal choices and preferences. As such, bisexuals have agency over their identities, and they have the power to shape them by performing them.
Performance theory proposes that all identities are performed, including sexual orientations. This means that bisexuality is not innate or essential but something that is enacted through daily interactions with others. This view challenges the idea of bisexuality as an essentialist category since it emphasizes the fluidity and contingency of sexual orientation. Bisexuality becomes a performative act where individuals choose to express their attraction towards multiple genders depending on various factors such as context, environment, culture, and relationship dynamics.
A bisexual may engage in same-sex relationships when the individual is in a liberal environment while choosing to engage in opposite-sex relationships when in a conservative setting. The concept of performance also addresses how bisexuality is seen as a form of transgression against gender norms. In heteronormative societies, being attracted to both men and women threatens traditional gender roles which dictate that individuals should be either masculine or feminine. Therefore, some bisexuals may feel compelled to conform to these expectations by performing a more masculine identity in public spaces and a more feminine one at home. By doing so, they negotiate their identities within the constraints of society's expectations.
Performance theory also suggests that there is no singular way of performing bisexuality. Individuals can choose different strategies for expressing their bisexuality based on personal preferences and social settings. Some may prefer openly discussing their bisexuality, while others may keep it private due to fear of discrimination. Some may identify as 'bi' while others may prefer labels like 'pansexual' or 'queer'. This flexibility allows bisexuals to navigate different environments without compromising their authentic selves.
This approach has been criticized as superficial since it ignores the complex ways that people experience sexual attraction. Bisexuals are not always aware of their attractions and may need time to explore them fully before deciding on a label.
There is no standard model for expressing bisexuality, making it challenging for bisexuals to find supportive communities and resources.
The concept of performance highlights how bisexuals understand themselves and negotiate their identities within heteronormative societies. It encourages bisexuals to take control over their lives by creating an image of themselves that aligns with their values and desires. Performance offers a framework through which bisexuals can reclaim their identities from heteronormative norms and construct new ways of being. It emphasizes self-expression rather than conformity to societal standards. By choosing to perform bisexuality in public spaces, individuals assert their agency and assert their right to be seen as they want to be seen.
Bisexuality transforms understandings of authenticity because it moves away from fixed categories towards a more dynamic understanding of identity. Bisexuality becomes a performative act where individuals choose to enact their identities based on personal preferences and social settings. It also challenges traditional gender roles by providing alternative models of masculinity and femininity beyond binarization. The notion of performance opens up possibilities for bisexuals to create their identities without feeling constrained by society's expectations.
How does bisexuality transform understandings of authenticity as performance rather than essence?
Bisexuality is not only a sexual orientation but also an identity that has been shaped by social constructs and cultural norms over time. The concept of "authenticity" is closely related to this identity because it involves self-definition and recognition by others. In contemporary society, bisexuality is often perceived as a fluid sexual orientation that challenges binary notions of gender and sexuality.