http://www.sovo.com/2005/11-4/view/actionalert/actionalert.cfm
criticized for view that bisexuality does not exist
By ANDREW KEEGAN
Friday, November 04, 2005
A noted and once immensely popular sex therapist is coming under fire for
telling bisexuals to choose their sexual orientation, since there is no
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a pioneer in the field of psychosexual therapy during
the 1980s, wrote in an early October syndicate of her twice-weekly column
She was responding to a male letter writer who indicated he was becoming
more attracted to men, although he has a steady girlfriend.
girlfriend knowing and to end the relationship with her.
sure, but eventually they fall into one category or the other, so that
She reaffirmed her belief that bisexuals do not exist in an Oct. 18 post
to a message board on ivillage.com.
Smith, a spokesperson for the company, said the advice piece is carried by
50 publications. Smith said Westheimer was on vacation and could not be
reached for comment.
everything to fit neatly into two, and only two, carefully wrapped boxes:
Sheela Lambert, a bisexual for 32 years and member of the New York Area
have known for 14 years. Are the thousands of members of the over 200
scientific research, according to Lambert.
said Lambert, pointing to a study on bisexuality reported on by the New
York Times in July.
That study, conducted by Michael Bailey, a Northwestern University
psychology professor, reported that bisexuality in men did not exist. It
was criticized by some for using flawed methodology.
In the study, bisexual men reported being sexually aroused by erotic
videos of both men and women. But a device attached to their genitals
revealed attraction only to videos featuring men.
Fritz Klein, a sex researcher for more than 25 years with a focus on
bisexuality, said Westheimer is wrong to claim people fall into only two
sexual orientations.
bisexuals; closer to being straight; in the middle; and closer to being
stating bisexuality has to do with the mind.
you on and how you feel. But, bisexuality has been around too long and
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a gay media watchdog, also
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