ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a framework and rationale for the edited volume. We argue that although literature on non-normative sexualities continues to grow, bisexuality is still often presented as an appendage. Research on bisexuality in relation to religion and spirituality is even scarcer. Yet, bisexuality, with its focus on fluidity and ambiguity, has the potential to illuminate how gender and sexual binarism impacts upon spiritual and religious life, and how this can be disrupted. Drawing upon key extant literature, this chapter discusses two main themes. Firstly, it explores the dominant discourse of bisexuality in contemporary society. Research continues to evince that bisexuality is grossly misunderstood, due to prevailing ideologies such as monosexism, compulsory coupledom and compulsory monogamy. Indeed, bisexuality fundamentally disrupts hegemonic discourse and enactment of gender and sexuality predicated on binarism. Secondly, the chapter examines the intersection of bisexuality with religion and spirituality. Research literature shows that the outcome of this intersection is complex and multiple. Yet, what is clear is that bisexuality challenges dominant religious discourses on sexuality and gender which results in bisexual erasure. The chapter concludes by presenting summaries of the contributions, framed in relation to the overarching objectives of the volume.
