This typology clearly represents a particular (stereotypical) behavioral dimension and does not account for the complexities of Latino male bisexuality. One of those typologies that Fox (1995) documented has been labeled ‘Latin Bisexuality’ indicating: ‘male individuals who take only the inserter role in anal or oral sex with another male, and consider themselves heterosexuals’. An illustration of this can be found in the group of typologies illustrated by Fox (1995) in his analysis. None the less, we have limited understanding of the interconnection between identity, desire, and sexual practices, particularly among ethnic minorities in the United States.
For example, in an analysis of non-clinical samples of self-identified bisexuals, Fox (1996) found no evidence of psychopathology or psychological maladjustment and that bisexual individuals were characterized by: high self-esteem, self-confidence and autonomy, a positive self-concept independent of social norms, high assertiveness and cognitive flexibility. But we have extremely limited understanding of Latino male and female bisexuality, in particular. With regard to bisexuality in general, we know a substantial amount about the development of bisexual identities and the psychosocial factors related to these identities ( Brierley, 2000 Fox, 1996 Leland, 2000 Rodríguez-Rust, 2000b). An opposing view has arisen from social research since the late 1970s, which demonstrates that bisexuality is a valid category with its own developmental process ( Firestein, 1996 Fox, 1996 Hemmings, 2002 Rodríguez-Rust, 2000a Troiden, 1988). Cass, 1979), or simply reflects individuals in denial of their homosexual orientation. This conflict stems from the notion that bisexuality is an indicator of arrested psychosexual development leading to homosexuality, or results from homosexual repression that occurs during the developmental process (e.g. Since the late 18th century, bisexuality has been problematic for the conceptualization of theories on sexuality. The analysis presented here is intended to offer insights into the overall study of Latino male bisexuality and into the foundations for the design of HIV and STI prevention programs directed toward bisexually-active Latino men and their partners. These configurations are explored in detail in this article. Four configurations of sexual desire were constructed to reflect what was found in this population of bisexually-active Latino men: (a) lifetime homoerotic desire and casual sex with women (b) lifetime heteroerotic desire, but commercial sex with men (c) lifetime heteroerotic/transgender desire (d) lifetime sexual desire for women and men. To achieve this aim, an analysis was made of 18 sexual histories of bisexually active Latino men who participated in a two-year ethnographic study. The goal of this article is to present a comprehensive understanding of how sexual desire is organized, enacted through sexual activity, and interpreted in the sexual lives of bisexually-active Latino men.
Latino male bisexuality has been studied for the most part with a focus on men who have sex with men (MSM) and with little attention to sexual desire.