The Decreasing Significance of Stigma in the Lives of Bisexual Men: Keynote Address, Bisexual Research Convention, London

Abstract

This article is constructed around a keynote address given at the Bisexual Research Convention, held in London 2010. The keynote was delivered by sociologist Eric Anderson, on behalf of himself and the other authors of this article. The keynote reflected upon a body of ongoing research, funded by the American Institute of Bisexuality and collected by this team of researchers, into the changing relationship between men and homophobia. It first contextualizes 20th-century attitudes toward homo/bisexuality before showing a declining significance of biphobia and homophobia in men's lives today. In accordance with the keynote, this article draws from preliminary findings of multiple ongoing studies of bisexual men in the United States and the United Kingdom.

KEYWORDS:

• bisexuality
• masculinities
• homophobia
• sport
• men

Acknowledgments

Matthew Ripley is an undergraduate in the Department of Education at the University of Bath. He has taken a placement year within his studies in order to work on three research projects with Professor Anderson and his team of sexualities researchers. After finishing his BA, he plans on pursuing a PhD with Professor Anderson. E-mail: [email protected]

Eric Anderson is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Winchester. His work examines the changing nature of masculinities in response to decreasing cultural homophobia. Professor Anderson has authored eight books, including The Monogamy Gap: Men, Love, and the Reality of Cheating, with Oxford University Press in 2011. E-mail: [email protected].

Mark McCormack is Lecturer in Education at Brunel University. His work examines the intersection of decreasing homophobia and educational settings. He is the author of a research monograph with Oxford University Press, The declining significance of homophobia, and a dozen research articles. E-mail: [email protected].

Adrian Adams is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Bath. Supervised by Professor Eric Anderson, he currently has five published articles concerning the intersection of sport, masculinities and sexualities. E-mail: [email protected].

Robin Pitts is completing a Masters in Research at the University of Bath, before pursuing his PhD with Professor Anderson at the University of Winchester. His interests lie at the intersection of gender and sexuality. E-mail: [email protected].