Dual Attraction: Understanding Bisexuality

Based on an in-depth study of bisexuals in San Francisco conducted by the authors from 1983 to 1988, this clearly written, enlightening report suggests that sexual preference is much less fixed then is generally assumed. Most of the interviewees established a heterosexual identity first, then ``added on'' same-sex relationships. Few of the subjects were stereotypically bisexual, i.e., equally attracted to both sexes. On the contrary, many frequently changed their mix of same- and opposite-sex partners. The AIDS epidemic, show the authors, had a decisive impact on formerly monogamous bisexuals, with men moving in a heterosexual direction and women in a homosexual direction in an attempt to protect themselves from the virus. The bisexual respondents felt that homosexuals were just as prejudiced and negative toward them as were heterosexuals. Weinberg and Williams are professors of sociology at Indiana University, Pryor is an associate professor of sociology at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. First serial to Mirabella. (Feb.)