I found the discussion in class today be kind of frustrating, only because it felt like what we were discussing was only scratching the surface of the problem(s). First off, we never really found an answer to the question about why bisexual women are viewed as higher on the social hierarchy than bisexual men. In reality, there probably isn't just one answer, but there's got to be something. While the discussion came to the conclusion that society actually is more willing to accept sexual acts occurring between two women than between two men, why is society more accepting, or rather, less discriminatory to women who are attracted to both men and women. In one sense, I think what Gillian said about an answer being associated with the idea of masculinity as homophobia might be a possibility. Society, although not directly, seems to associate masculinity with penetrating a vagina. And yet, the perception of bisexual men as "confused" paints them in a way in which one has to potential to perceive that this act of holding power over a female is not enough for a bisexual male, and they are thus inadequate men. Does this place a male in a place that is more threatening to society and the gender roles instituted by society than a woman who could be perceived as wanting more than that same act of penetration? Furthermore, if sexual activity between two bisexual males challenges the idea of masculinity, why does sexual activity between two bisexual females not challenge the idea of femininity. On the other hand, could the fact that men allegedly find acts between women to be enticing be yet another form of placing women in a position of oppression, thus actually placing bisexual women below bisexual men on the hierarchy? An example of society's growing acceptance of the bisexuality of women was given which consisted of middle school girls now being more comfortable with "doing things" with other girls because they know their boyfriends will enjoy it. But, it seems to me that performing these acts not because you personally will enjoy them, but for the pleasure of another, is in a sense placing oneself under the power of that other person. At the same time, taking part in those behaviors because you want to and you enjoy them, which a number of the authors of our readings would argue does and should occur, but claiming you do it for another person is merely an act of bi- or homophobia. Finally, I couldn't help but wonder how the positioning of bisexual males and females relates to the same positioning of homosexual males and females. The other day in class, as well as today, we alluded that homosexual females are also considered as less threatening that homosexual males. Does this occur for the same reasons as bisexual males and females?

I was also struck by our discussion on gender, which varied from the roles different genders play to the effect of clothing on the status (and vulnerability) of women. I couldn't help but notice that in the discussion, particularly that of clothing, much of what was said conformed to society's perceptions of the female gender. While this seems to be, in a sense, inescapable, generalities such as "girls just want to look pretty sometimes" is one that, to me, merely furthers an untrue expectation and/or behavior of femininity. Why is this not considered a primary component of masculinity? And, how can we understand society's implementation of gender and work towards gender equality when we ourselves are confined by those very boundaries of gender?