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Bisexuality "not a phase" conclude researchers
PinkNews.co.uk, 17/1/2008
Bisexuality in women is a distinct orientation and not just a "phase", according to a study carried out at the University of Utah. Lisa Diamond, an associate professor of psychology and gender studies, led the research which followed 79 women who identified themselves as lesbian, bisexual or unlabelled for a decade.
PinkNews.co.uk, 17/1/2008
Bisexuality in women is a distinct orientation and not just a "phase", according to a study carried out at the University of Utah. Lisa Diamond, an associate professor of psychology and gender studies, led the research which followed 79 women who identified themselves as lesbian, bisexual or unlabelled for a decade.
She concluded that bisexual women continued to be attracted to both sexes over time.According to the study, "these findings are more consistent with the model of bisexuality as a stable identity than a transitional stage."
"If it was a phase, it should have burnt out," said Ms Diamond."They might have a change in identity and relationships, but that pattern of non-exclusive desire is still there, even among those who have married. It debunks the notion of it being a phase."
Ms Diamond interviewed the women, aged between 18 and 25, in New York in 1995.She then made regular telephone calls to them every two years.
The study also revealed that bisexual women were more likely than lesbians to change between identifying themselves as bisexual and unlabelled, rather than to describe themselves as lesbian or heterosexual.
Ms Diamond's investigation also discredits the stereotype that bisexual women are unable to commit to monogamous relationships because they are constantly thinking about the other gender.
Critics of the research point out that the women interviewed were predominantly white and middle-class.Sociologist Paula Rust, however, who has herself conducted quantitative research on bisexuality, emphasised the importance of Ms Diamond's qualitative work.
"What she's doing is an in-depth study of people's lives," she told USA Today. Ms Rust also highlighted the importance of carrying out new research that focused on young women today, who she claimed were more open to experimenting with their sexual identity.
She said: "I think young women are feeling a little bit freer.
"If they have anything other than purely heterosexual feelings, they are more free to think about it and question their identity.
"As for heterosexual women, although they may "experiment with same-sex desires and behaviours," says Ms Diamond.
"If they really are predominantly heterosexual, they may enjoy experimentation but may not change their sexuality."
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
ΑπάντησηΔιαγραφή026
16.1.2008
Press release issued by the Registrar
FORTHCOMING GRAND CHAMBER JUDGMENT
22 January 2008
The European Court of Human Rights will be holding a public hearing in the Human Rights Building, Strasbourg, on Tuesday 22 January 2008 at 11 a.m. (local time) to deliver its Grand Chamber judgment in the case of E.B. v. France (application no. 43546/02).
The press release and the text of the judgment will be available after the hearing on the Court's Internet site ( http://www.echr.coe.int).
E.B. v. France
E.B. is a French national aged 45. She is a nursery school teacher and has been living with another woman, R., who is a psychologist, since 1990.
The application concerns the refusal by the French authorities to grant the applicant's request to adopt a child, allegedly on account of her sexual orientation.
In February 1998 the applicant applied to the Jura Social Services Department for authorisation to adopt a child. During the adoption procedure she did not hide her homosexuality or her stable relationship with R.
On the basis of the reports drawn up by a social worker and a psychologist, the commission responsible for examining applications for authorisation to adopt gave a decision in November 1998 rejecting the application. This decision was confirmed by the president of the council for the département of the Jura in March 1999. The reasons given for both decisions were the lack of "identificational points of reference" due to the absence of a paternal image or reference and the ambiguous nature of the applicant's partner's commitment to the adoption plan.
The applicant lodged an application with Besançon Administrative Court, which set both decisions aside on 24 February 2000. The département of the Jura appealed against the judgment. Nancy Administrative Court of Appeal set aside the Administrative Court's judgment on 21 December 2000. It held that the refusal to grant the applicant authorisation had not been based on her choice of lifestyle and had not therefore given rise to a breach of Articles 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The applicant appealed on points of law, arguing in particular that her application to adopt had been rejected on account of her sexual orientation. In a judgment of 5 June 2002, the Conseil d'Etat dismissed E.B.'s appeal on the ground, among other things, that the Administrative Court of Appeal had not based its decision on a position of principle regarding the applicant's sexual orientation, but had had regard to the needs and interests of an adopted child.
The applicant alleges that she was refused authorisation to adopt on account of her sexual orientation and that she was discriminated against on the ground of her homosexuality. She relies on Articles 8 and 14 of the Convention.
On 19 September 2006 the Chamber to which the cases had been allocated relinquished jurisdiction in favour of the Grand Chamber, under Article 30 1 of the Convention.
Συγγνωμη που το βάζω εδώ...απλά ενημερώθηκα από φίλη που εργάζεται σε ΜΚΟ και είπα να το ποστάρω.