The Spectre of Promiscuity : Gay Male and Bisexual Non-monogamies and Polyamories

Wide-ranging research suggests that partners in gay male and bisexual relationships do not necessarily expect monogamy, or see it as an important issue. Although the frequency of gay male and bisexual non-monogamous partnerships tends to be widely acknowledged in social science literature, these relationships have rarely been explored in more detail. By providing rich empirical data, thoughtful analysis and theoretical debate, this book makes a significant contribution to the sociological literature on sexual and intimate relationships. More specifically it explores the diversity of gay male and bisexual relationship practices in the context of heteronormative citizenship and intra-social movement conflict, and highlights the complexity of power relations that circumscribe queer people's relationships and sexual lives. Written in an accessible and engaging manner, The Spectre of Promiscuity provides important insights for further studies on sexual culture, discourse, citizenship, politics and ethics. Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 Introduction: Beyond the Myth of Equality and Democracy 10 Changing Directions – Sexuality Research and the Question of Power 11 Nodal Points – Heteronormativity, Hegemony and Intersectionality 19 Routes for an Intellectual Journey ... the Structure of the Book 26 1 The State of the Law: Heteronormative Citizenship and Sexual Counterpublics 28 The Regulation of the Public/Private Distinction 29 The Wolfenden Strategy: Permissiveness and Control 32 Section 28 and Heterosexual Family Values 38 Queer Counterpublics, Hegemony and Conflict 42 2 Researching Non-monogamies: Stories on Positionality, Intersubjectivity and Power 48 Power and the Research Process 49 Intersubjectivity, Identity and Politics 51 Differences, Power and Research Relationships 55 3 Sex and Assimilation: Gay Male Non-monogamies and the Question of Equality 66 Metaphorical Constructions: Anti-gay Promiscuity Discourses 67 The Same-sex Marriage Debates 74 4 Gender Troubles: Bisexuality and Non-monogamy 86 The Construction of Bisexuality and Non-monogamy 87 Non-monogamy Debates in the Bisexual Movement 91 Bisexuality, Non-monogamy and Marriage 95 5 Polyamory: Different Kinds of Love Stories 106 From Identity to Community and Politics 107 What’s in a Term? The Concept of Polyamory 111 Polyamory and Its ‘Others’: Different Styles of Non-monogamy 116 6 Negotiating Non-monogamy: Difference, Power and Intimacy 124 Negotiation, Relationship Work and the Limits of Consent 125 Differential Positioning, ‘Relationship Defining Power’ and Social Capital 133 7 Between Resitance and Normalisation: Non-monogamy, Sexual Politics and Ethics 142 Heteronormativity and Non-monogamy 143 Heteronormativity, Hegemony and Politics 147 Hegemony and Agency 148 Publics, Counterpublics and the Politics of Public Sphere Inclusion 151 The Question of Resistance and Transgression 156 Appendix: The Study: Research Design and Methodology 162 Qualitative Interviewing 162 Initial Analysis 163 Sampling Issues 164 The Sample 165 Focus Groups (Group Discussions) 166 Participant Observation 167 Discourse Analysis 168 Bibliography 170 Index 206 A 206 B 206 C 207 D 207 E 208 F 208 G 208 H 209 I 210 J 210 K 210 L 211 M 211 N 212 O 213 P 213 Q 214 R 214 S 215 T 216 U 217 V 217 W 217 Y 217 Introduction : Beyond The Myth Equality And Democracy -- The State Of The Law : Heteronormative Citizenship And Sexual Counterpublics -- Researching Non-monogamies : Stories On Positionality, Intersubjectivity, And Power -- Sex And Assimilation : Gay Male Non-monogamies And The Question Of Equality -- Gender Troubles : Bisexuality And Non-monogamy -- Polyamory : Different Kinds Of Love Stories -- Negotiating Non-monogamy : Difference, Power, And Intimacy -- Between Resistance And Normalisation : Non-monogamy, Sexual Politics, And Ethics. Christian Klesse. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Spectre of Promiscuity explores the diversity of gay male and bisexual relationship practices in the context of heteronormative citizenship and intra-social movement conflict, and highlights the complexity of power relations that circumscribe queer people's relationships. By providing rich empirical data, thoughtful analysis and theoretical debate, the book makes a significant contribution to the literature on sexual and intimate relationships