Using the Klein Scale to Teach about Sexual Orientation Bobbi Keppel & Alan Hamilton, P.O. Box 10818, Portland, ME, 04104. Introduction New concepts and new research offer opportunities to change the way people understand and conceptualize sexual orientation.[1] This article explains how we use these ideas in teaching about sexual minorities. Bobbi Keppel has tested this material with many groups in the last year. Whether they are heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual, many of the attendees report thinking differently about sexual orientation after these presentations. They say they are able to ask questions and discuss sexual orientation more easily when they use the common vocabulary and the model shown here. Frequently, this is the first time that people with several different identities have been able to find their commonalities and discuss their experiences and differences with understanding and acceptance. The Klein Scale (Figure 3) and directions for filling it out (Using the Klein Scale) are grouped together in this file. Use of a 3-dimensional visual model helps people see how sexual orientation is a complex construct made up of several different aspects or components. These aspects of sexual orientation may be represented either as cards which form a dec, or as slabs which form a block (see Figure 3.) In an intimate workshop setting, we encourage attendees to fill in a copy of the Klein scale, and ask those who are comfortable doing so to share their choices. There are usually enough interesting differences among people who share a sexual identity, and enough similarities between people who have different sexual identities, that many of the concepts in the Implications and Points to Make section at the end of this article are illustrated very clearly. In a less intimate setting, such as a lecture presentation, we bring up the points that we want people to hear and see. We then send them away with a copy of the Klein scale to mull over. The rest of this article is the text of our presentation, including points to make during each presentation. Drawing figures freehand on a chalk board or overhead projector during the presentation makes it more visually interesting and encourages questions from and interaction with the attendees. Kinsey For many of us, our first concept of sexual orientation was simply that everyone was either heterosexual or homosexual. Period. The Kinsey Heterosexual-Homosexual Scale provided our first reconceptualization of sexual orientation. On the Kinsey scale, sexual behavior is represented as a continuum from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual (see Figure 1.) For ease in quantifying behavior (for research purposes,) the scale has 7 equal, numbered intervals, but it is a contimuum and in-between points (such as 1.5 or 2.3) may be used. ------ Begin Figure 1: Kinsey Heterosexual-Homosexual Scale -------- Exclusively Predominately Predominately Equally heterosexual heterosexual, heterosexual, heterosexual only more than and incindentally incindentally homosexual homosexual homosexual |--------------|--------------|--------------|------- (cont...) 0 1 2 3 Equally Predominately Predominately Exclusively heterosexual homosexual, homosexual, homosexual and more than only homosexual incidentally incindentally heterosexual heterosexual (...cont) -----|--------------|--------------|--------------| 3 4 5 6 ------ End Figure 1: Kinsey Heterosexual-Homosexual Scale -------- Using the Kinsey Scale To use the Kinsey scale, choose a point on the continuum which corresponds to your relative amounts of sexual experiences with the same sex and with the other sex in your life up to now. Klein[2] When Fritz Klein et al. extended the conceptualization of sexual orientation far beyond Kinseyu's earlier work, they offered us a chance to broaden our understanding further.[3] The Klein Sexual Orientation Grid uses 7 classifications (the same number as Kinsey) and uses less emotionally "loaded" reference point descriptions (see Figure 2.) ------- Begin Figure 2: Klein Sexual Orientation Scale --------- Other Other Other Both Same Same Same sex sex sex sexes sex sex sex only mostly somewhat equally somewhat mostly only more more |---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ------- End Figure 2: Klein Sexual Orientation Scale --------- Klein examines the element of time in more detail than Kinsey. He asks about sexual behavior during the present (the most recent 12 months,) the past (up to 12 months ago,) and the ideal (which is as close as one can get to intention and prediction of future behavior.) The biggest change from previous work is Klein's inclusion of many aspects of sexual orientation in addition to sexual behavior. These include sexual attraction, sexual fantasies, emotional preference, social preference, lifestyle preference, and sexual identity. (Keppel and Hamilton add political identity, and both Klein and Keppel and Hamilton have refined the reference point descriptions to be successively more descriptive and less emotionally "loaded.")[4] We represent the aspects of sexual orientation as a stack of cards (see Figure 3.) Each card represents a particular aspect of sexual orientation (sexual attraction, social preference, etc.) Each card has three time scales (past, present, ideal.) Taken together, a deck of cards gives a view of several aspects of a person's sexual orientation over time, and can be used as a basis for discussing sexual orientation and identifying commonalities and differences. ------- Begin Figure 3: Aspects of Sexual Orientation ------- (adapted from Fritz Klein by Bobbi Keppel and Alan Hamilton) +---------------------------------------+ | Key: Choice of partner or associate | | ----------------------------------- | | 1 Other sex only | | 2 Other sex mostly | | 3 Other sex somewhat more | | 4 Both sexes equally | | 5 Same sex somewhat more | | 6 Same sex mostly | | 7 Same sex only | +---------------------------------------+ +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Sexual Attractions | | | | Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Sexual Behavior | | | | Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Sexual Fantasies | | | | Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Emotional Preference | | | | Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Social Preference | | | | Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ < Key: Own identity or lifestyle > < ------------------------------ > < 1 Heterosexual only > < 2 Heterosexual mostly > < 3 Bisexual mostly, > < somewhat heterosexual > < 4 Bisexual > < 5 Bisexual mostly, > < somewhat homosexual > < 6 Homosexual mostly > < 7 Homosexual only > vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ < Lifestyle Preference > < > < Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < > < Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < > < Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ < Sexual Identity > < > < Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < > < Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < > < Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ < Political Identity > < > < Ideal |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < > < Present |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < > < Past |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| > < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv (Graphics consultation provided by Wilma Keppel, Iowa City, Iowa.) Using the Klein Scale To use the Klein scale, on each card choose one point on each of the three time scales. Each scale represents a continuum, so you may pick points which are not at any of the reference points. For instance, if you feel that you are halfway between reference points 1 and 2 on a scale, you can describe that as 1.5 or 1-1/2. The time scales are: Ideal: What do you think you would eventually like? Present:The most recent 12 months Past: Your life up to 12 months ago. For this explanation of the aspects of sexual orientation, we start with the card at the top of the page (the rear-most card in the deck), and work our way forward: Sexual Attraction: To whom are you sexually attracted? Sexual Behavior: With whom have you actually had sex? Sexual Fantasies: Whom are your sexual fantasies about? (They may occur during masturbation, daydreaming, as part of real life, or purely in your imagination.) Emotional Preference: Emotions influence, if not define, the actual physical act of love. Do you love and like only members of the same sex, only members of the other sex, or members of both sexes. Social Preference: Social preference is closely allied with but often different from emotional preference. With members of which sex do you socialize? (different reference point descriptions are used for the remaining aspects.) Lifestyle Preference: What is the sexual identity of the people with whom you socialize? (Add "All" as a choice for each scale on this card.) Sexual Identity: How do you think of yourself? Political Identity: Some people describe their relationship to the rest of society differently thatn their personal sexual identity. For instance, a woman may have a heterosexual sexual identity, but a lesbian political identity. How do you think of yourself politically? ------- End Figure 3: Aspects of Sexual Orientation ------- Implications and Points To Make Sexual identity (how people think of themselves) sometimes has little to do with their sexual behavior. Three different people may have the same distribution of sexual behavior in the past and/or present, but have three different sexual identities: homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual. This may be confusing at first, but is important to remember. This point is often useful in helping people to understand that just because someone has a different sexual identity does not necessarily mean that that person's sexual behavior is different from thier own. Conversely, the fact that someone else has the same sexual identity does not mean that that person's sexual behavior is the same as their own. People who think of themselves as bisexual, heterosexual, or homosexual may find they are quite similar in some aspects and different in others. For example, in choosing people to spend time with in social activities, most women hang out with women and most men hang out with men. That is, both women and men show a social preference for members of the same sex. According to many national surveys, most people have an emotional preference for women (as close friends,) whether they are male or female, homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual. We may all be more alike than we think. Klein's research and the experience of many people indicates that sexual identity is fluid (at least for some people), and can change from one period of a person's life to another. A person's identity may move to a new position on the continuum; that is, a heterosexual may change to a bisexual or homosexual identity; a bisexual may change to a homosexual or heterosexual identity; a homosexual may change to a bisexual or heterosexual identity. Many people were sure that they would be, for instance, heterosexual all their lives, but discovered later that they no longer were. It therefore behooves one to treat others as one would like to be treated, regardless of one's current sexual identity, as one's sexual identity may change. Both Kinsey's and Klein's work gives some evidence that older people are more likely to have been sexual with both sexes than are younger people. This contradicts conventional wisdom, which says that sexual experimentation is common among youths but uncommon among adults. Despite the fact that someone may have had different sexual identities at different times, each sexual identity was appropriate and valid for that person in its time. In some areas, the Lesbian and Gay male communities take the position that bisexuals are not welcome in the Lesbian and Gay communtites, that they do not exist, and/or that they are "traitors to the cause" and "sleeping with the enemy." This collection of attitudes is often termed "biphobia." It usually occurs with greater frequency and virulence in Lesbian communities, where it is associated with negative feelings about and political action against patriarchy and women's oppression. It is also clearly present in Gay male communities, often in the more subtle form of deprecation and ridicule of bisexual identity. In biphobic communities, an individual who might otherwise identify as bisexual may choose to suppress attractions to and activities with one gender or the other in order to identify as either heterosexual or homosexual. Alternatively, a person may switch back and forth, trying alternately to identify as homosexual or heterosexual. Where there is no information about and support for bisexuality, a person may identify as heterosexual or homosexual, or alternate between them. ---------------------- Begin Footnotes -------------------------- [1] "Sexual orientation" and "sexual preference" have often been used interchangeably. To emphasize that how a person thinks of herself or himself is often not a matter of choice (preference), the politically correct term has become "sexual orientation." [2] Bobbi Keppel and Alan Hamilton have adapted Klein, et al. (op. cit.) by using a scale like Kinsey's. [3] Klein, Fritz, M.D., Barry Sepekoff, PhD., and Timothy J. Wolf, PhD., "Sexual Orientation: A Multi-Variable Dynamic Process," in Bisexuality: A Reader and Sourcebook, edited by Thomas Geller, Times Change Press,1990. [4] Discuss social preference and emotional preference from Implications and Points to Make section. ---------------------- End Footnotes -------------------------- Bobbi Keppel is a social worker. She is the Coordinator of the Maine Bisexual People's Network, is a co-founder of the Unitarian-Universalist Bisexual Network, and serves on the Advisory Board of the East Coast Bisexual Network. She is a trainer for the Welcoming Congregations program in the Northeast District. Alan Hamilton is President of the East Coast Bisexual Network and a co-founder of the Unitarian-Universalist Bisexual Network. He has served as newsletter editor for the Boston Bisexual Men's Network and as Treasurer of the East Coast Bisexual Network, and has participated in the organization of several retreats and conferences for Bisexual and Bi-friendly people. ----------------------- Redistribution ------------------------- This pamphlet is published by the East Coast Bisexual Network, Inc. (ECBN.) You are welcome to redistribute it in its electronic form, so long as you distribute the entire thing and retain this attribution. The pamphlet is also available for $1 in hard copy (nicely formatted, with pretty figures) from the East Coast Bisexual Network, Inc. (ECBN) at POB 639, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, USA. If you get the hardcopy from ECBN, you are welcome to photocopy and distribute it, including adding your local group's contact information on the back. We request a $10 donation for any pamphlet that you find useful enough to reproduce and distribute.