An academic at an Australian university recently spoke to 78 women of varying sexual orientations about their relationships with bisexual men. Some of the research has been used in Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli‘s new book, Women in Relationships with Bisexual Men: Bi Men By Women.
“These mixed-orientation relationships or what I call MOREs, sit outside the boundaries of what many may consider a ‘normal’ relationship, whether it’s straight or gay,” says Pallotta-Chiarolli. “What the research has shown is that they are very real and valid and deserve our attention, support and understanding. It’s just that they’re something ‘more’ than most people expect or accept.”
Pallotta-Chiarolli hopes that the book will dispel negative stereotypes about bisexual men: “That all bisexual men are untrustworthy and have secret affairs; that all bisexual men transmit HIV and STIs to women; that all bisexual men are abusive to their women partners.”
“While we found these issues are certainly out there and we don’t shy away from discussing them,” she continues, “we need to lift the stigma for the women who choose to be in relationships with bisexual men and indeed say that bisexual men make better lovers and fathers.”
Hm, definitely one for the reading list…
£80 on Kindle – what??
It’s a huge amount, isn’t it. That always happens with academic books though, they cost a fortune when they’re first released, but if enough academics and libraries buy it, sometimes the publishers can be convinced to release a version for us mere mortals. Here’s hoping!