Playing with Butler and Foucault: Bisexuality and Queer Theory

Abstract

Scholars writing on the topic of bisexual identity frequently lament the lack of bisexual representation in works of queer theorists. However, though the problem has been noted, it has yet to be addressed within the main body of queer theory. The seminal works of this theoretical school, written by authors such as Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, Diana Fuss and Eve Sedgwick, all bypassed bisexuality as a topic of inquiry even while writing against binary, biological models of gender and sexuality. Works written within the last 15 years, often in response to or building off of these early works, have for the most part continued to ignore the numerous questions posed by bisexuality. I argue that queer theory would be strengthened by turning the lens onto bisexual subjects and realities. To show the utility of such an addition, this article will take on two of queer theories most cited works, Foucault's The History of Sexuality (1978) and Butler's Gender Trouble (1990/2006). By writing bisexuality into these works, I will demonstrate that the inclusion of bisexuality ultimately bolsters the arguments of both authors. This article first turns to Foucault, whose work is often considered the catalyst of queer theory, to show that bisexuality can be profitably analyzed through his framework of medicalization, speciation and reverse discourse. I then look at Butler's foundational work, illustrating that her arguments on the interrelatedness of sex/sexuality/gender and also on gender performativity are reinforced by the inclusion of bisexuality.