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
The Metropolitan Nashville Council is scheduled to vote tonight on the second reading of a nondiscrimination ordinance (BL2009-502) that would prohibit the Nashville Metro government from discriminating in its employment practices on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity after having been deferred earlier this month. If the ordinance passes tonight, it will face a final vote before becoming law on Sept 1st.
After months of grueling debate on both sides of the gay rights battle, the Anchorage Alaska Assembly announced that the ordinance #64 to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation passed by a vote of 7 to 4.
The vote is one short of a super-majority that could override a possible mayoral veto. The mayor has one week to weigh in and decide whether to veto the ordinance.
Mayor Dan Sullivan has yet to comment on the decision, please urge him to sign the ordinance into law.
The inclusive ENDA campaign is setting up meetings with your Senators and Representatives in August to talk about support for an inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act that protects sexual orientation, gender identity/expression. Sign up to meet with your senators and legislators on this important piece of legislation, or email ENDAcampaign@gmail.com
There are 20 fair-minded House Republicans who appear to be open towards ENDA, but have not yet gone public with their support. There are also 45 demcocrats who have yet to go public with their position.
Please email and ask them to support HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Bilerico has a list of the representatives who are open to possibly voting for ENDA, please contact them.
In the state of Ohio people can be fired simply on the premise that they are or perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. There are no statewide protections for employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Equality Ohio and Progress Ohio are looking to change that next Wednesday, June 17th in what is being billed as Ohio's first ever vote on a specifically pro-LGBT piece of legislation. The Equal Housing and Employment Act (HB 176) amends Ohio's existing Civil Rights Code to include sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.