Orientations

Bisexual

Alsobibi+bisexualitybi person

Definition

Describes a person attracted to more than one gender. It does not require equal attraction to each, or attraction to every gender.

At a glance

  • Means attraction to more than one gender.
  • Does not require equal attraction to each gender or attraction to every gender.
  • Bi+ is an umbrella that can include pansexual, polysexual and similar labels.
  • Bisexual people are one of the largest groups under the LGBTQ+ umbrella.
  • They often face doubt or erasure from both straight and gay communities.

In detail

Bisexuality is often misunderstood as a phase or as being "half gay, half straight". A common modern definition, popularised by activist Robyn Ochs, is attraction to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way or to the same degree.

Bisexual people are one of the largest groups under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, but they can face doubt from both straight and gay communities. "Bi+" is sometimes used as an umbrella that also includes pansexual, polysexual and similar identities.

In a sentence

  • I'm bi, and that didn't change when I married a man.
  • The support group welcomes bisexual and other bi+ people of any age.

Where the word comes from

Bisexual was first used for organisms with both male and female characteristics. During the twentieth century it came to mean attraction to more than one gender, and a bisexual rights movement grew from the 1970s onwards.

Not to be confused with

  • Pansexual

    Pansexual stresses attraction regardless of gender; the two labels overlap and people choose whichever fits.

Common questions

Is bisexuality just a phase?

No. For many people bisexuality is a lasting identity. Some people's labels change over time, as can happen with any orientation, but that does not make bisexuality less real.

Does being bisexual mean being attracted to all genders equally?

No. A common definition is attraction to more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way or to the same degree.

What is the difference between bisexual and pansexual?

The two overlap a lot. Pansexual often stresses that gender is not a deciding factor, while bisexual covers attraction to more than one gender in any pattern. People choose the word that feels right.

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