Beyond the biological model: new directions in bisexual and homosexual research

Past research on homosexuality has been based on two assumptions: one, that gender is the critical determinant of a sexual relationship, and two, that sexual orientation is an essential condition. This paper argues that investigation of sexual relationships on these bases tests only within, rather than between, paradigms of possible relationships. It assumes that choice of partners is based on a number of physical and psychological characteristics apart from their biological sex and that different meanings of sexuality and of the contexts of sexual encounters will determine which characteristics are chosen. It is also suggested that comparisons between groups of exclusive homosexuals and exclusive heterosexuals will not cast light on preferred partner characteristics. It is therefore necessary to look at the preferred partner characteristics of bisexuals in order to understand the bases and significance of homosexual or heterosexual partner choice. Finally, it is concluded that the meanings of homosexuality in different contexts may be so varied that the possibility of establishing a unified theory of the homosexual identity is precluded.