Bisexual Migrants
Dr Aurelio Castro on desire beyond categories, bisexual people of colour, and the political implications of sexual fluidity.
Dr Aurelio Castro studies the social construction of sexual orientation and masculinity in bisexual and straight men in Italy. He has previously published research on the experiences of bisexual people of colour in Italy which found:
“Bi+ people of Color face a double stigma due to the intersection between a nonmonosexual orientation and a nonwhite skin tone… the double stigma that people of Color experience affects their personal and political lives through their relationships with relevant social actors and networks.”
3 things you wish everyone knew about bisexuality?
Bi+ orientations are valid, empowering and proud.
Sexuality isn't binary. Gender and sex are not binaries so let's stop considering them like that in scientific and public discourse.
Bisexuals have fought for equality and civil rights from the very beginning so let's be proud of ourselves. Everyday we fight against biphobia and mononormativity, we don't hide or take an "easy option".
Why are you interested in research on bisexuality?
My interest on studying bisexuality sparked from research on sexual fluiditiy and attraction regardless of gender.
“Realizing that others were studying the psychosocial process of desire beyond categories and the political implication was fascinating.”
I decided to conduct my Ph.D. on bisexuality in Italy due to the lack of research on Italian bisexuals. I was aiming to collect stories and data for the Italian LGBTQIA+ community, and to provide stories and tools to contrast biphobia, mononormativity and the sense of isolation.
What does your research explore?
My research focuses on enhancing our understanding of sexual orientation as a fluid process within our stories and experiences. My studies have examined how Italian bisexually-oriented people of diverse genders socially construct their sexual orientation within their life stories.
I am currently writing about the intersections of bisexuality and masculinity. Inquiring how theories of gender and sexual orientation shape the participant's stories of desire and relationships (monogamous and non-monogamous).
Together with anthropologist Dany Carnassale we conducted research on bisexual migrants in Italy, to comprehend their specific minority stressors and stigma management strategies .
You are also an activist…
As an activist, I cooperate with LGBTQIA+ associations by providing informative events on Bi+ issues, sexual fluidity and non-monogamies, by discussing relevant scientific research and my studies. I've also conducted non-formal training with LGBT+ association members to reduce stereotypes and bias towards bisexual people and orientations.
Together with Elena Lucietto of Antéros LGBTI Padova we organized the first Bivisibility Day and Bi+ Pride in Italy on the 23rd September of 2017, by creating a working group with many national Bi+ and LGBT+ associations.
How do you define bisexuality?
I consider the Bi+ umbrella as the most versatile and inclusive term, defining bisexualities as "attractions/desires to more than one gender". Regardless of having the chance to translate these desires to actual behaviours and, following Robyn Ochs insights, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.
“Let's not try to hold a river of experiences with just two hands.”
There are infinite possibilities for non-exclusive attractions and identities.
What are the most pressing concerns within the bisexual community in 2020?
Reinforcing our support with the ace, trans* and non-binary communities to dismantle the binaries within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Fighting for civil rights and legal protections transnationally, and cooperation between national communities to fight the rise of sovereignism and white supremacy.
Promoting positive visibility, Bi+ representation, and discussing how to achieve it without making use of rainbow capitalism.
And…
“Taking a position against hateful discourses and the persecution of refugees, migrants and migrations. These are human rights violations happening all over the world that are also affecting LGBTQIA+ people who are asylum seekers and refugees."
Anything else you want to share?
Researching bisexualities is about embracing flexibility and a diverse understanding of sex, gender, identity and relationships.
I think that scientific and political discourse does not have to aim for a complete and rigid taxonomy of sexualities. Instead, we should focus on how to support the plurality of experiences.
What bi research would you like people to know about?
The work of Meg-John Barker inspired me on a personal and academic level and I highly recommend it, from Heteronormativity and the exclusion of bisexuality in psychology (2007) to Rewriting the Rules (2012).
To begin approaching bisexual issues I recommend the collective work of the Bisexuality Report (Barker, Richards et al., 2012) and the Guidelines for researching and writing about bisexuality (Barker, Yockney et al., 2012).
Other favorite and compelling books are:
Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution by Shiri Eisner (2013)
The spectre of promiscuity: Gay male and bisexual non-monogamies and polyamories by Christian Klesse (2007)
The Bi-ble: An Anthology of Essays on Bisexuality vol 1 and 2 by Nickodemus and Desmond
Getting more personal…
Are you bi? Bi+ researcher and proud.
Does being bisexual change how you approach your work?
It does. as any other identity it shapes my theoretical framework and political positioning. I have to be aware of it, to avoid just having a celebratory stance.
Still, it helps me having a wider understanding of sexuality and relationship outside the gender binary. And makes other people more comfortable, accepted and open to talk about their non-exclusive attractions to more than one gender.
More about Dr Aurelio Castro’s work here: ResearchGate