I felt so seen reading this essay collection. It holds a wonderful breadth of voices, experiences, and perspectives, and I feel like any reader could gain something from at least one of these essays. Some pieces felt very casual and anecdotal, while others presented more of a sense of academic rigor, which will also appeal to a range of readers.

Some essays I loved more than others - and a couple were a bit of a miss for me - but overall this was an extremely solid anthology.

It Ain't Over Til the Bisexual Speaks: An Anthology of Bisexual Voices is a collection of essays by various authors about topics relating to bisexuality. Once it's out, I'm excited to add a physical copy to my shelf!


Some of the essays that stood out to me included: the story of the BiPanLibrary- the representation and how the books are in conversation with each other; an examination of bisexual masculinity; an examination of UK asylum laws and how they effect LGBTQ people and bisexuals specifically; how one author's Orthodox Jewish religious background contributed to her bisexual activism.


This really has something for everyone: there's an essay about bisexual anarchism and the challenges two bisexual anarchist groups faced; an essay about how bisexuality and fatness challenge toxic cultural norma and the Protestant work ethics denial of pleasure. Each essay also cites its sources and some name historical bisexual activists, so this book is a good jumping off point for further reading! It's definitely a good balance between informative without being overly dense, accessible to a new reader, but something to add if you've read a lot of bisexual books.


I would note that the majority of the authors are UK based, and most of the essays reference UK laws, activism, and experiences. So if you're reading this, expect to hear a lot about the UK, but much of it is broadly applicable and its awesome that this is not as US centric as many other bisexual books that I've read.

I received an ARC from #Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I really appreciate how widely and intersectionally this book approached bisexuality. I always like when anthologies/essays have a wide array of different writers with different experiences. I also learned a lot about the history of bisexuality and its advocacy which, as a bi person, really opened my eyes.

Wow. As a bisexual person myself, this collection opened me up to the history of this part of myself. I was pleasantly, and at times not so pleasantly, shocked with the passionate advocates and struggles bi people have faced over the decades. This collection has a diverse spread of topics and yet each are woven together to form a bi-complexion. Even as a US reader, I found the authors and topics relevant, and it prompted me to dive deeper into the knowledge. Highly recommended this collection to anyone.

This book does a great job of bringing together so many different voice on one topic. I appreciated how the editors sought out wide representation in the voices they chose. This book not only covers the current struggles within the bisexual community but also shows how bisexuality shows up differently in the lives of those within the community. As an American I enjoyed getting to learn more about bi movements in the UK while still getting regular comparisons to the US.

Each chapter was well written and easy to read. There was enough history, learning, and context to make the book educational in a traditional sense. It also offered personal stories and humor which helped keep the reader engaged and made it personable.

This book is great for those within the community and those hoping to learn more about the bi community and bi erasure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In the vibrant landscape of contemporary literature, "It Ain't Over Til the Bisexual Speaks: An Anthology of Bisexual Voices," edited by Vaneet Mehta and Lois Shearing, stands as a resounding testament to the power of diverse representation and solidarity in the face of oppression. This anthology, comprising fifteen essays by bisexual activists, theorists, and writers, offers a poignant exploration of the multifaceted experiences of bisexual individuals, challenging stereotypes and advocating for visibility and equity.

From the outset, the anthology boldly confronts bi-erasure, amplifying voices from marginalized communities, including BIPOC, autistic, disabled, polyamorous, transgender, and gender nonconforming individuals. Through a lens of intersectionality, the collection celebrates the fluidity inherent in bisexuality, rejecting monolithic definitions and embracing plurality while also offering a platform for some of the most marginalized voices among us.

Central to the anthology's narrative is the intersectional analysis of bisexuality with other gender and sexual identities, challenging colonial capitalism, heteronormativity, and class-based stereotypes. The essays delve into the complexities of identity, highlighting the profound impact of body politics and disability justice on societal perceptions.

Throughout the collection, themes of anti-monosexism, anti-heteronormativity, and anti-purity culture emerge, fostering discourse about corrective rape, the myth of straight passing, and the Gender Critical Movement. The anthology also addresses the stigma surrounding bisexuality in the context of the AIDS epidemic, emphasizing the importance of queer eldership and solidarity in the face of adversity. Tangible activism and organizing strategies also permeate the essays, with mutual aid emerging as a liberatory practice in many of the pieces.

Among the standout essays, "Bodies of Knowledge: Bisexual Men and Sexual Violence" by Tanaka Mhishi poignantly addresses antimisogyny within queer communities, while Heron Greenesmith's "What If We Weren’t Born That Way?" challenges notions of sexual and gender identity immutability. In addition, Ourania Vamvaka-Tatsi's "A Quick Guide to the Experiences of Arrival and Settlement of LGBTQ+ Forced Migrants in the UK" sheds light on the increased bi-erasure faced by bisexual BIPOC individuals under white supremacy.

However, the pinnacle of the anthology lies in Shiri Eisner's "Why I Call Myself an Anarchabisexual," where the intersections of feminism, anarchy, and queer activism converge. Eisner's eloquent prose dismantles notions of assimilation, advocating for radical kinship and relationality. The essay’s impassioned call to arms against assimilation and the heteronormative status quo is both radical and inspiring. By embracing their identity as a bisexual, genderqueer, disabled activist, Eisner invites readers to envision a world where queerness isn't merely tolerated but celebrated for its subversive potential.

In conclusion, "It Ain't Over Til the Bisexual Speaks" transcends the boundaries of traditional anthologies, offering a profound exploration of bisexual experiences through a lens of intersectionality and collective liberation. As a reviewer, I found the anthology to be a revelatory journey, illuminating the complexities of bisexuality with nuance and empathy. While each essay presents a unique perspective, the overarching themes of resilience, activism, and community resonate deeply, making "It Ain't Over Til the Bisexual Speaks" a must-read for anyone interested in social justice and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

📖 Recommended For: Advocates of LGBTQ+ Rights, Intersectional Feminists, Readers Exploring Bisexual Experiences, Bisexual People Everywhere.

🔑 Key Themes: Bisexual Visibility, Intersectionality, Collective Liberation, Anti-Biphobia, Solidarity, Disability Justice, Sexual Fluidity.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Racism (minor), sexual harassment (severe), sexual content (minor), homophobia (moderate), alcohol (minor), biphobia (moderate), suicide attempt (minor), transphobia (minor).

As a bisexual, non binary, working class, plus size, AuDHD and chronically ill person I found this book so validating as well as extremely informing and helpful in understanding bisexuality and intersectionality. Each essay was so well written and thought through, with plenty of personal and relatable touches that made me feel empowered, understood, heard, valid and educated. I now have a super long list of resources to dive into to learn more and come to further acceptance of my bisexuality and how it crosses over with other parts of me.

I really enjoyed this book, as a bisexual person I liked reading and learning about the experiences of others in my community. Though in it's current format it was difficult to read on my kindle and I was unable to read it on the netgalley app. I look forward to it's publication date so I can share it with friends and family!

Thank you for the eARC netgalley and Jessica Kingsley Publication!

A beautifully told anthology that made me consider a lot about my own community.

It made me think, smile and educated me on the road those before me trod.

I would recommend this to anyone who is wanting to learn more about Bisexual History.

When it comes to representation, this is a stunning collection that showcases so much about being bisexual. I will definitely be getting a copy for my Sixth Formers.

This was just what my tiny bi heart needed. A diverse bisexual book with a lot of people talking about different experiences. Bi erasure and erasure from Bi spaces are still so prevalent and this is a book not only demanding space but creating it too. Recommend.

In a literary landscape hungry for authenticity and depth, this collection stands as a testament to the importance of amplifying bi voices. With eloquence and urgency, these essays demand to be heard, challenging readers to confront their own biases and embrace the complexities of human experience. A must-read for anyone seeking to expand their understanding of sexuality, identity, and the world we inhabit.

There is a lot of biphobia around so I was very excited to read a book celebrating being bisexual and discuss other sexualities without being negative

This dense anthology of history and its ramifications on the community reads like a textbook.
I found it a little difficult to navigate the chapters (perhaps the finished work will be a bit easier).
Overall, I thought this book was accessible and informative.

As someone who has been trying to read more nonfiction about bisexuality and sexuality in general I was really happy I got approved for this arc. I like that the book is from various people which gives different perspectives and each author can focus on giving their chapter the most information, wisdom, and personal experiences they've had. I like when nonfiction books and collections like this are created by a group of people because it keeps me interested and also gives me, as a reader, different perspectives to hear from.

#NetGalley #ItAintOverTiltheBisexualSpeaks
I was allowed to read this book early in exchange for my honest review. As a Bisexual woman, I relate to alot of what the authors felt with topics such as biphobia, bi-erasure, all the way to topics like societal class,transgender, polyamourous, race. i appreciate the various voices of bisexuality+ in queer spaces. Overall, this is a good read for people who want insight into bisexuality in the lgbt+

4.5 stars

This collection of essays dove into the topic of bisexuality, not just of biphobia and bi-erasure, but also intersectionality of class, race, religion, fatness, transgender, and polyamory. I learned a few new terms while appreciating the different perspectives of bi intersectionality in the UK. I recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about the visibility of bisexuality in queer spaces in different ways.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.