Journal of Bisexuality, 11:399–411, 2011 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1529-9716 print / 1529-9724 online DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2011.620460 Revisiting the Invisibility of (Male) Bisexuality: Grounding (Queer) Theory, Centering Bisexual Absences and Examining Masculinities ERICH STEINMAN Pitzer College, Claremont, California, USA The article draws upon research published in the Journal of Bisex- uality since the author’s 2001 article to make observations about bisexuality research and about continuing sex and gender differ- ences in bisexual visibility. Great interest in queer theory reflects the preponderance of theorizing about bisexuality as a transformative, liberatory and disruptive social identity. Advocating for sociolog- ical approaches and the analytic inclusion of nonbisexual iden- tified but behaviorally bisexual individuals, the author suggests that more empirical attention to material relations, social struc- tures and everyday social interactions is needed to complement the symbolic emphasis of queer theory and cultural studies. Further incorporating analytical attention to non-bisexual-identified indi- viduals would better ground bisexuality studies and would involve a redirection of critical attention to the multiple social processes that generate bisexual ‘absences.’ Critical gender studies, which identify masculinity as a perpetually threatened status requiring continual performance to ward off discrediting stigmas, is identified as a promising framework for examining the continuing invisibility of male bisexuals and of bisexual behavior among men. KEYWORDS bisexuality, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, critical gender studies, men, masculinity, theory, identity, queer theory, sociology The original article was published in the Journal of Bisexuality, Volume 1, Numbers 2/3, 2001. Address correspondence to Erich Steinman, Pitzer College, 1050 Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, USA. E-mail: erich steinman@pitzer.edu 399