|
from Gay Activism in the Social Sciences
New Book Describes 'Sexual Fluidity' In Women
January 10, 2008 - University of Utah professor Lisa Diamond is soon publishing Sexual Fluidity, a book that describes the practice of many women to move from heterosexuality to homosexuality and back again.
In an interview with Pagan Kennedy in The Boston Globe (December 30, 2007) Diamond describes her research on women who have engaged in homosexual behaviors and have switched sexual attractions.
According to Diamond's 10-year research project on homosexuality and women, two-thirds of those interviewed had changed their identity at least once. She explains: "A lot of this, I think, has to do with the fact that even women with lesbian orientations often reported somewhat bisexual patterns of attraction ... Some women said, 'You can't really call yourself a "lesbian sleeping with a man," even if that's what you think is the best description of the situation.' So they'd stop labeling themselves altogether."
Sheila, one of the women Diamond interviewed, first identified as a bisexual; then two years later described herself as attracted to women; later she became engaged to a man; and after that, decided she wanted to date women.
Diamond expressed concern that her research would be misused by the Christian right. She notes: "That's one of the reasons I wanted to write up my findings for a general audience in this book. I want to make it clear that just because some women exhibit fluid sexual attraction, it doesn't mean that sexual orientation is a 'lifestyle choice.'"
Dr. Diamond's message to women is that no matter what their sexual identity or choices, she wants to assure them that "their experiences are normal."
Additional Reading:
New Work By Janelle Hallman On Female Same-Sex Attraction;
Helping Women With Same-Sex Attraction
Updated: 8 February 2008
|
