Help!

[geminigirl]

Co-worker who runs our LGBT program just came in and asked me if I'd talk a little bit about bisexuality today.

It's not quite 10 AM. I told him I'd do it this afternoon.

I haven't done a bisexuality 101 in years. And I have no idea where to start or what to say. The first person who comes to mind to ask for help is yesthattom but I don't have his phone number with me.

It's going to be four to six gay identified adolescent boys, who are training as peer educators here. Need to go research/write.


HELP!!!!

Comments

[lovingboth]

Bisexual Resource Centre has online versions of their leaflets. www.biresource.org

I don't think the UK equivalent (the 'Bi Community News starter pack') is online.

[geminigirl]

I've got some of the BRC stuff on my desk. That was the first website I went to after panic-posting. I'm just not sure what to say or what I actually need to talk about.

[lovingboth]

So, if it were me, I'd consider doing:

Myths of bisexuality exercise (everyone is, no-one is, promiscious, non-monogamous, can hide in closet when going gets tough, spread HIV to lesbians etc)

Quick something on the history of how we look at sexuality (acts not orientation, then 'homosexual' as Other in late 19th Century, Kinsey, Klein etc)

Differences between identity and behaviour ('straight man seeks others to have sex with' personal ad on UK TV).

'Person A does this, identifies as that, how do you think of them' exercise (eg identifies as lesbian, but has only had sex with men, identifies as gay but married with kids).

Changing sexual behaviour, fantasies, desires etc over time.

Get them to do a Klein Grid. If they're brave, get them share it, perhaps anonymously.

Issues (visibility - usually need a threesome to show, minimal bi scene compared to gay one, worse prejudice against - the monogamy issue, term so broad so almost meaningless etc).

[geminigirl]

Thank you for all your help! It went quite well, the kids were still talking about it during their car ride home. I'm going to probably be asked to present it again soon, and would love your input on the presentation as it develops.

You've already gotten lots of good advice.

[free-of-whip.livejournal.com]

One more topic I'd suggest: that affectional preferences and sexual preferences are not always the same. E.g., someone can be attracted to both genders, but only fall in love with someone who is one of them.

Re: You've already gotten lots of good advice.

[reedrover]

affectional preferences and sexual preferences are not always the same

This is a good topic, if hard to present coherently to school kids.

You might approach it as a discussion on groups/cliques, self-selection and participation in groups, and the different types of love (brotherly, romantic). "Just because you really care for and love someone doesn't mean you're in love with him."

[lovingboth]

So... how did it go?

[geminigirl]

Not bad. Apprently I haven't given up my bi-credentials yet.

It's going to probably be revised, and presented again during another training. The kids liked it enough that they were still talking about it on the car ride home.