Bisexual Killjoy

Welcome to Bisexual Killjoy, where Bailey and Lynn talk all things bisexual (plus, pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness). Despite representing the majority of the LGBTQ+ community, bi+ folks have gotten the shorthand of the stick for too long. Now’s the time to have our voices heard. What is a Bisexual Killjoy? It’s the answer to the age-old question: Is bisexuality just a phase? To which we say: Bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.

Just in time for Bi+ Health Awareness month, Bailey and Lynn do a deep dive into the bafflingly mysterious world of bi+ health. Despite representing the majority of the LGBTQ+ community, little is known about bi+ folks and their health. We do know that bi+ women are more likely to experience mood disorders than their hetero- and homosexual counterparts. We do know that bi+ women are at a higher risk from violence from an intimate partner than their hetero- and homosexual counterparts. We don’t know much else, though, and that needs to change. In this episode, learn more about the state of bi+ healthcare in America, where we’ve been, and where we should be going.  Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Got a good/bad story about erasure in your life? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources: Bisexual Resource Center: https://biresource.org/find-bi-resources/ 

Bisexual Killjoy is back, and it’s time to talk about every bi+ person’s favorite topic: bi-erasure. Join us as we discuss how bisexuality often goes unnoticed or disregarded, both in mainstream society, social settings, relationships, politics, and within LGBTQ+ spaces themselves (the call was coming from inside the house), and WTF we can do about it.  Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Got a good/bad story about erasure in your life? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  References Find Bi+/Queer Resources: https://biresource.org/find-bi-resources/  Yoshino, K. (2000). The Epistemic Contract of Bisexual Erasure. Stanford Law Review, 52(2), 353–461. JSTOR. https://doi.org/10.2307/1229482Alexander, J. & Anderlini-D’Onofrio, S. (Eds.). (2010). Bisexuality and Queer Theory: Intersections, Connections, and Challenges. Routledge.  Lingel, J. (2009). Adjusting The Borders: Bisexual Passing And Queer Theory. Journal of Bisexuality, 9 381-405. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/15299710903316646 Rodríguez, J. M. (2014). Queer politics, bisexual erasure: Sexuality at the nexus of race, gender, and statistics. Indiana University Press.  Rodríguez, J. M. (2014). Sexual Futures, Queer Gestures and Other Latina Longings. New York University Press. Feinstein, B.A., Dyar, C. Bisexuality, Minority Stress, and Health. Curr Sex Health Rep 9, 42–49 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0096-3

It’s 2024, and bi+ folks need more than visibility; they need recognition. Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy. This week, Lynn and Bailey are delving deep into the complexities of the bisexual agenda. We’re highlighting monosexual discomfort, sexual ambiguity, and all those sexy liminal spaces.  Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.    References Find Bi+/Queer Resources: https://biresource.org/find-bi-resources/  Karen L. Suyemoto, Alissa L. Hochman, Roxanne A. Donovan & Lizabeth Roemer (2021) BECOMING AND FOSTERING ALLIES AND ACCOMPLICES THROUGH AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS: CHOOSING JUSTICE OVER COMFORT, Research in Human Development, 18:1-2, 1-28, DOI: 10.1080/15427609.2020.1825905

Join Bisexual Killjoy as we dissect the myth of "passing privilege” and challenge the notion that bi+ folks do not face discrimination or oppression. Learn how passing privilege ignores the complexities of bi+ identity and erases the unique challenges bi+ people encounter, and listen to how heated our BKJ hosts get as they critique the heteronormativity and homonormativity present in LGBTQ+ spaces. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  References Center for Disease Control. (2016). HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men. Cornier, J.R. (2019). Hanky Panky: An Abridged History of the Hanky Code. The History Project. Feinstein, B. A., Benjamin, I., Dorrell, K. D., Foley, S. E., Blumenau, H. S., Cragun, R. T., & Manalastas, E. J. (2022). An Examination of Attitudes toward Bisexual People at the Intersections of Gender and Race/Ethnicity. Journal of Bisexuality, 22(4), 463–484. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2022.2084485  Hartman, J. E. (2011). Finding a Needle in a Haystack: Methods for Sampling in the Bisexual Community. Journal of Bisexuality, 11(1), 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2011.545306  Nelson, R. (2024). Deconstructing the Clinging Myth of ‘Straight-Passing Privilege’ for Bi+ People. Journal of Bisexuality, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2024.2332873TL;DR of the above: New study debunks common myth around bisexual privilege (msn.com) Even more simplified: Think Bisexual People Have Straight Passing Privilege? Here's Why You're Mistaken - Everyday Feminism Peoples, L. The Old, Secret Style Language of the LGBTQ+ Community. Refinery29.

Join Bisexual Killjoy as we delve into the complexities of signaling bisexuality within the queer community and society at large. Today, we’re discussing the challenges bisexuals face in being recognized and accepted due to the pervasive binary correlation between gender and sexuality. From TikTok suppression to a need for validation in queer spaces, we’re tossing out our hottest takes around on heterosexual and queer signaling. For some reason, Bailey pops off on the historical and cultural influences on gender presentation and the perpetuation of heteronormative standards. You won’t want to miss it. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  References #StillBisexual. https://stillbi.org/. @stillbisexual_official Barber, E. J. W. (1994). Womens Work: The First 20000 Years Women Cloth And Society In Early Times. WW Norton & Company. Hutson, D. J. (2010). Standing OUT/Fitting IN: Identity, Appearance, and Authenticity in Gay and Lesbian Communities. Symbolic Interaction, 33(2), 213–233. https://doi.org/10.1525/si.2010.33.2.213  Kelly, I. (2007). Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Man of Style. Atria Books.

Happy Pride! Join Bisexual Killjoy as we explore the fluidity of sexuality and gender. Dive into discussions on liminal spaces, gender fluidity, and the misconceptions about bisexuality. We’re challenging the myth of bisexuals and trans-exclusion, looking at the unique intersection of bisexuality and gender fluidity, and unpacking the limited research on the subject we could find. Since it’s Pride, remember to celebrate your identity and give back to your community! Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.    References Cipriano, A. E., Nguyen, D., & Holland, K. J. (2022). "Bisexuality Isn't Exclusionary": A Qualitative Examination of Bisexual Definitions and Gender Inclusivity Concerns among Plurisexual Women. Journal of Bisexuality, 22(4), 557–579. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2022.2060892  Ghabrial, M. A. (2019). "We can Shapeshift and Build Bridges": Bisexual Women and Gender Diverse People of Color on Invisibility and Embracing the Borderlands. Journal of Bisexuality, 19(2), 169–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2019.1617526 Nelson, R. (2020). 'What do bisexuals look like?: I don't know!' visibility, gender, and safety among plurisexuals. Journal of Sociology (Melbourne, Vic.), 56(4), 591–607. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783320911455 

We’re winding down Pride and Season 1! Bisexual Killjoy cordially invites you to discuss intimacy, sex, and relationship dynamics for all of us bi+ folks. We’re talking monogamy, polyamory, and how biphobic stereotypes hurt us all. Let’s get serious and laugh the whole time. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Some stories with bi+ relationship (platonic, romantic, and erotic) representation: A Lot of People Live in This House, Bailey Merlin Foul Play, Cassandra Medcalf Friendsgiving with Benefits, Lizzie B. Brown

That’s a wrap on Season 1! We’ve talked about so much in the last few months: gender, invisibility, relationships, health, and what it means to be a Bisexual Killjoy. Join us one last time before the summer really heats up to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going next.  Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Ahmed, Sarah. Feminist Killjoy Handbook. 2023. Angelides, Steven. A History of Bisexuality. 2001. Hayfield, Nikki. Bisexual and Pansexual Identities: Exploring and Challenging Invisibility and Invalidation. 2020. Ka’ahumanu, Lani and Hutchins, Lorraine. Bi Any Other Name. 1991. Shaw, Julia. Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality. 2022. Winston, Jen. Greedy: Notes from a Bisexual Who Wants Too Much. 2021.

Welcome back, Bisexual Killjoys. Did you miss us? We missed you! In this episode, we’re getting on the same page, sweeping out the cobwebs, spilling the tea, and pumping ourselves up for our best season yet. So, if you don’t remember what a Bisexual Killjoy is, don’t worry; Bailey makes Lynn take us all back to school. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram/Threads or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Ahmed, Sarah. Feminist Killjoy Handbook. 2023. Sullivan, Elizabeth. “Godmother of SexEd: Maggi Rubenstein.” FoundSF. 1997.

Bisexual Killjoy is back to talk about the intersection of gender and sexuality, this time with an expert opinion. This week we welcome the iconic Dr. Rosie Nelson into the fray to help us wrestle with what gender means for bi+ people, what it means to be Sexual Renegades and Sexual Outsiders, and the bi+ worldview. Dr. Rosie Nelson is a Senior Lecturer in Gender at the University of Bristol, England. Their work revolves around queer theory, bisexual identities, LGBTQ+ politics, and qualitative research methodologies. They recently published Making Space for Bi+ Identities: Explorations of Genders, Identities, and Relationships, published by Routledge, and are currently in the process of completing a SAGE textbook entitled Queer and Feminist Approaches to Qualitative Research Methods. You can find them on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @rosie_they  Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  References Muñoz, José Esteban. Cruising Utopia: The Then and There of Queer Futurity. NYU Press. 2009. Nelson, Rosie. Making Space for Bi+ Identities: Explorations of Genders, Identities, and Relationships. Routledge. 2023. Nelson, Rosie, et al. Social media use among bisexuals and pansexuals: connection, harassment and mental health, Culture, Health & Sexuality, 25:6, 711-727. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2022.2092213  Odell, Jenny. How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy. Penguin Random House. 2020. Yoshino, Kenji. The Epistemic Contract of Bisexual Erasure. Stanford Law Review, 52(353); 2000. https://openyls.law.yale.edu/handle/20.500.13051/3871 

Bisexual Killjoy is back to talk about our least favorite and most persistent myth: Bi+ men don’t exist! To help us navigate the double erasure of bi+ men, relationship navigation, monogamy, polyamory, and the radical act of being out, Rob Brooks Cohen joins us for a funny but informative episode.  Robert Brooks Cohen is a writer, creator, and life coach living in Los Angeles. He spent seven seasons writing and producing for Law & Order: SVU, among other shows. In 2019, he created Two Bi Guys, a podcast about sexual fluidity, masculinity, and the gender spectrum, and his first book, Bisexual Married Men: Stories of Relationships, Acceptance, and Authenticity, an oral history/memoir, was published by Routledge in 2023. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  References Cohen, Robert Brooks. Bisexual Married Men: Stories of Relationships, Acceptance, and Authenticity. Routledge. 2024.  Cohen, Robert Brooks. Two Bi Guys (By One Bi Guy) Podcast. Fern, Jessica. Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy. Thornapple Press. 2020. Mangino, Kate. Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home Hardcover. St. Martin's Press. 2022. Where to Find Rob Website: www.RobertBrooksCohen.com Personal Instagram: @robertbrookscohen Project Instagram: @twobiguys Personal TikTok: @robertbrookscohen Project YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twobiguys  Project Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwoBiGuys/

Bisexual Killjoy is back to sit down with Poly Philia founder Leanne Yau to explore the intersections of polyamory and plurisexuality, diving into the challenges and stigmas that come with embracing these identities in a monogamous society. Leanne shares insights on how to practice polyamory in a healthy way, red flags to look out for, and whether polyamory belongs in the LGBTQ+ community. We debunk misconceptions of hypersexuality often projected onto bi+ and polyamorous folks and discuss how intimacy and visibility can help break down stigma. We challenge listeners to question normative relationships and embrace the radical nature of living authentically. Leanne Yau is a British award-winning polyamory educator, sex-positive advocate, speaker, writer, and queer sex therapist in training. She creates and curates daily bite-size multimedia content @polyphiliablog on non-monogamy, queerness, sex positivity, and neurodivergence, drawing from her lived experiences as a bisexual, autistic and ADHD, Asian agender femme. Leanne was named one of the ‘15 LGBTQ+ Educators Who Took Instagram Infotainment To The Next Level’ by Buzzfeed in 2021, one of Cosmopolitan's '10 Polyamory Experts to Follow on TikTok' in 2022, and one of Men’s Health’s ‘60 Top Influencers Who Are Actually Worth the Follow’ in 2023. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  References Bi Survivors Network. http://bisurvivorsnetwork.org/ Fern, Jessica. Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy. Thornapple Press. 2020. Hardy, Janet. The Ethical Slut, Third Edition: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love. Celestial Arts. 2017. OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy). https://www.open-love.org/  Where to Find Leanne Yau Upcoming workshop on November 10, 2024: "Bisexuality and Non-Monogamy, feat. Leanne Yau and Zachary Zane": https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/bisexuality-and-non-monogamy-tickets-1012904724297?aff=Leanne Website: https://www.polyphilia.blog/  Peer Support: https://www.polyphilia.blog/peer-support Swag/Shop: https://polyphiliablog.threadless.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/polyphiliablog  Facebook: @polyphiliablog Instagram: @polyphiliablog Threads: @polyphiliablog TikTok: @polyphiliablog YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@polyphiliablog/videos

If there's one thing bi+ folks struggle with, it's not seeing themselves in media. Why is that a big deal? Because our identities are informed by the world around us; and when we do not find ourselves in that world, we can view that as a lack in ourselves. To help us explore the role of bi+ representation, we talk to the talented Patricia Silva.  Patricia Silva is a queer (bi/pan) nonbinary artist working with available light, cameras, words, research, and educational modules to facilitate a deeper understanding of the contours of identities, queer inquiry, and relationships between diaspora and place(s). They experiment through making photographs, photo books, videos and short films, as well as through conversation series that are live or in podcast form. Their photographs and short films have been exhibited, screened, and awarded internationally since 2013; and their writing has been featured in The LGBT Review, Cult Bytes, among others. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram/Threads or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Film: Savage Nights (Les Nuits fauves), directed by Cyril Collard. 1992. Filmmaker: Pier Paolo Pasolini TV Show: The Bisexual, created by Desiree Akhavan and Rowan Riley. 2018. TV Show: The Magicians, created by Sera Gamble and John McNamara. 2015-2020. Patricia Silva  Appearance: Twink Time at Barbizon in New York City at the Hot Festival, Mx Media Program Appearance: Super Shorts Film Festival Publication: Silva, Patricia. "Outsmarting the City—How Queer Subcultures in Queensborough." The Physical and the Digital City, Invisible Forces, Data and Manifestations. Intellect Books, University of Chicago Press. 2024. Website: https://patriciasilva.com   Website: https://www.latentstudies.net