Saturday, 26 May 2018 at 9:30 am – Saturday, 26 May 2018 at 5:40 pm

Bisexual – Pansexual – Omnisexual

Despite decades of organising among bisexual-identified people and the emergence of bisexuality studies as a dynamic research field, the position of bisexuality has remained rather precarious within academia and society at large. Bisexual activists have not stopped complaining about a lack of recognition, acceptance and positive visibility. At the same time, we also witness paradoxical developments, such as spectacular media reports that refer to surveys and research studies among young people, which suggest that many adolescents are less hung-up regarding the gender of their lovers and partners and that bisexual, pansexual or omnisexual identities are on the rise. Research that has looked more closely bisexual and (other) non-binary identities suggest that many young people put a strong emphasis on nuances and distinction. What is at stake in these claims of differences? Can bisexuality work as an umbrella concept for all fluid, non-binary or non-monosexual identities? What is the role of generational differences in this multiplication of self-labels? These and other questions will be discussed by researchers from across Europe and representatives of bi and LGBT organisations, including those who work with young people from the Manchester region.

The workshop is organised and hosted by Dr Christian Klesse (Reader at the Department of Sociology, Manchester Met). Christian Klesse conducts research into gender and sexual politics, LGBTQ arts and activism, bisexualities and intimate and sexual relationships.

The work shop is been funded by the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (JMCE) and the Research Centre of Applied Social Sciences (RCASS) of Manchester Met and runs as part of RAH!, the Research in the Arts and Humanities public engagement programme.