Open Forum: Rethinking Bisexuality

It is without doubt that there are people who experience romantic/erotic attractions to more than one sex. Typically we have called this group of people bisexual. There are many individuals who have moved away from the term finding that it isn't inclusive enough of their own feelings and identity.

Some are taken back by the stereotypes associated with bisexuality and therefore seek to distance themselves from being associated with those negative and false connotations. Some people simply do not like that the word 'sexual' is in the term because it implies that the orientation is only about sex when in fact that is only one aspect of it. Finally, there are those who prefer terms such as queer, pansexual, omnisexual, and fluid to describe their identity because they find bisexuality limiting.

Bi means two and therefore many are turned off by the dichotomy that it presents. If you are bi it means you like males and females to some degree. Many people find that this excludes many other sexes and genders such as those who are intersex, transgender, genderqueer, androgynous or non-gendered. That is why these new terms have popped up to describe sexual identities that are more inclusive of all people.

What about re-conceiving what bisexuality is all about? Bi does mean two but we don't have to approach bisexuality as interest in two sexes (male & female). Why can't bi refer to those who are romantically/erotically attracted to both a masculine and feminine spirit that individuals offer. By discussing the essence of an individual it eliminates all reference to gender and sex and instead focuses on the characteristics that people find attractive.

Do you think bisexuality is outdated? Or is there room for new interpretation that can include everyone with attractions to more than one sex and gender under an already established and understood term called bisexual?

Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting Supportive Experience (BECAUSE)

The Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience (BECAUSE) will be held April 16-18, 2010 at Hamline University in St. Paul Minnesota. The BECAUSE Conference is the premier weekend event in the Midwest for bisexuals, queers, non-mono-sexual, bi-curious, questioning, and all others, regardless of sexual or gender identity. This conference is open to everyone!

This year conference attendees will find an exciting and packed weekend of social and educational programming, including keynote speaker Amy André. Amy is a writer, activist and current Executive Director of San Francisco Pride who will be speaking about health in the bisexual community. In addition to workshops on Saturday, there will be a conference wide panel titled It’s Time: Perspectives on Bisexuality Past, Present and Future. The panel will be comprised of current and past bisexual activists and allies from across the Nation discussing bisexuality, the bisexual identity and the bisexual movement. Also, on Saturday evening we will have our annual Drag Show/Cabaret event.

Planning for BECAUSE 2010 is underway -- this is the time to get involved! Email BECAUSEconference@gmail.com for details.

Open Forum: Double Dose of Bisexuality on Real World D.C.

MTV Networks show 'The Real World' is about eight roommates cast to live and work together for a season. The show usually has an ethnically, religiously, and sexually diverse cast and tries to address controversial and sensitive issues in society. Most seasons have included the token gay person, some bi-curious members, and two seasons ago the first transgender housemate was cast.

This season on the Real World the show is being cast in Washington DC's Dupont Circle a very upbeat progressive and gay ghetto. As for LGBT issues this season seems to be focused on bisexuality like no other season before.

Mike, 22 is a bisexual christian who is unashamed of his sexuality, and wears his religion on his sleeve.


Emily is a 20 year old bisexual from a conservative religious background. She is "new to the scene" and into the idea of dating girls and being honest with her sexual feelings.


This can be a really wonderful opportunity to open up the world of bisexuality to millions of viewers and to also show that being queer doesn't mean that you have to live without religion. On the other hand the show may fall into some biphobic pitfalls in the way the castmembers are portrayed. Is Mike who self identifies as bisexual but goes back and forth between the labels gay and bi going to be seen as the "confused" guy or the "bi now gay later" type. As for Emily, who is new to the queer scene, will she be looked upon as the sexually rebellious girl simply seeking attention or someone confused? These biphobic misrepresentations with regards to bisexuality happen all the time, and I sincerely hope this show does not fall into that trap.

Do you think this show will be positive for bisexual awareness or will it overall contribute to the bisexual stereotypes that permeate society? Time will tell, share your thoughts about the episodes thus far and your predictions.

Blog Spotlight: Bipolar Bisexual

Bipolar Bisexual is a blog about sexuality and mental health issues. The author discusses ways for people who are bisexual, bipolar or both to live a positive and affirming life.

Diversity Lesson 101: Bisexuality

Bisexuality is a sexual orientation that is often misunderstood, bisexuals are a segment of the population that face unnecessary discrimination from both the straight and gay communities because this community treads the line on sexuality.

Definition: Bisexuality is a sexual orientation whereby a person can have physical/emotional attraction towards both males and females.

There are varying degrees of bisexuality, again like all sexual identity, bisexuality lies on a continuum and some bisexuals will be predominantly attracted to one sex while others find their level of attraction is closer to an equal level for both.

What is Biphobia? Unfortunately this is very common among the gay and straight communities who often misunderstand and fear bisexuality. Biphobia is a fear and condemnation of bisexuality and people of the orientation. Common biphobic assumptions are that people who are bisexual are "confused", "selfish", "hedonistic", "promiscuous". Many people are under the false impression that bisexuals cannot remain monogamous, and that they date multiple partners and cannot remain faithful.

How common is Bisexuality? This is a hard one to answer, sexual identity is fluid and lies on a continuum, a large percentage of people regardless of whether they identify as gay/straight have had some degree of same-sex or opposite attraction and this fact would mean they are bisexual to a degree. People who find that their bisexuality is more evident or lifelong consistent make up between 3-5% of the general population. Bisexuality is also common in the animal kingdom with many species exhibiting bisexual behavior and some where the entire species are bisexual such as the binobo monkeys.

Symbols of Bisexuality: The Bisexual pride flag has a deep pink stripe at the top for homosexuality, a blue one on the bottom for heterosexuality, and a purple blend of the pink and blue colors to represent bisexuality. Other symbols include a pink and blue triangle that overlap creating a purple triangle at its intersection. Another popular symbol is the double moon representing mars and venus and showing bisexuals are open to both sexes.

Recommended Books on Bisexuality:

Bi Any Other Name:Bisexual People Speak Out by Loraine Hutchins, Editor & Lani Ka'ahumanu

Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World by Robyn Ochs, Editor & Sarah Rowley

The Bisexual Option by Fritz Klein, MD

Bi Men : Coming Out Every Which Way by Ron Suresha and Pete Chvany

Bi America : Myths, Truths, And Struggles Of An Invisible Community by William E. Burleson

Bisexuality in the United States : A Social Science Reader by Paula C. Rodriguez Rust

Bisexuality : The Psychology and Politics of an Invisible Minority by Beth A. Firestein

Current Research on Bisexuality by Ronald C. Fox PhD

Bisexual Websites/Resources:


American Institute of Bisexuality

BiNet USA

Bi Resource

Bi Magazine

Some Video's on Bisexuality:

Happy Bisexual Pride Day!

September 23rd is the annual celebrate bisexuality day for the bisexual community and their allies.

Today you can come out to your friends, family, co-workers as bisexual.

Learn about the birth and evolution when it comes to the history of the bi movement.

Learn more about the bisexual orientation.

Make a contribution to one of the bisexual organizations such as BiNetUSA, Bialogue, the Bisexual Resource Center,
or the American Institute for Bisexuality.

Join a bisexual social, political, or support group in your area or local LGBT center.

Word of the Gay: "Bi Pride"

"Bi Pride" is about acceptance and recognition of being bisexual or sexually fluid, and working to maximize bisexual visibility and understanding.

Word of the Gay: Amphisexual

An "amphisexual" is a bisexual who is capable of physically and emotionally loving persons of either sex.

New Leaflet: Am I Bi?

Bisexual Index has come out with a new leaflet titled 'Am I Bi?' for those questioning whether they may be bisexual. It sorts out some questions that bisexual or bi-curious individuals ask themselves in an effort to help solidify their sexual identity. It also makes an interesting case for bisexuality not limiting the genders to the male and female spectrum, a discussion we had here previously on the post "Is Bisexuality Old School?". It argues that bisexuality is "not an attempt to box gender into two options, it's the realization you are into more than one option and some people prefer similarity, difference or both." The leaflet also provides resources for those who are bi or questioning.

H/T to Bi Media.