Bisexuality is the potential to feel
sexually attracted to and to engage in sensual or sexual relationships with
people who are either male or female. A bisexual person may not be equally
attracted to both sexes, and degrees of attraction may vary over time.
Self-perception is the key to a bisexual identity. Many people engage in
sexual activity with people of both sexes, yet do not identify as bisexual.
There is no behavioral "test" to determine whether or not one is bisexual.
Some believe that a person is born heterosexual,
homosexual, or bisexual (perhaps due to prenatal
hormonal influences) and that their identity is inherent
and unchangeable. Others believe that sexual orientation
is due to socialization (for example, either imitating
or rejecting parental models), or conscious choice (for
example, choosing lesbianism as part of a political
feminist identity). Others believe that these factors
interact. Because biological, social, and cultural
factors are different for each person, everyone's
sexuality is highly individual, whether they are
bisexual, gay, lesbian, heterosexual, or asexual. The
"value" placed on a sexual identity should not depend on
its origin.
Many people assume
that bisexuality is just a phase people go through. In
fact, any sexual orientation can be a phase. Humans are
diverse, and individual sexual feelings and behaviors
may change over time. The creation and consolidation of
a sexual identity is an ongoing process. Since we are
generally socialized as heterosexuals, bisexuality is a
stage that many people may experience as part of the
process of acknowledging their homosexuality. Many
others come to identify as bisexual after a considerable
period of identification as gay men or lesbians. A
recent study by Ron Fox of more than 900 bisexual
individuals found that 1/3 had previously identified as
lesbian or gay. An orientation that may not be permanent
is still valid for the period of time it is experienced.
Bisexuality, like homosexuality and heterosexuality, may
be either a transitional step in the process of sexual
discovery, or a stable, long-term identity.
It is not easy to say how common bisexuality is,
since little research has been done on this subject.
Most studies on sexuality have focused on
heterosexuality or homosexuality. Studies conducted by
Kinsey in the 1940s and 1950s hypothesized that as many
as 15-25% of women and 33-46% of men may be bisexual
based on their activities or attractions.
Bisexuals are in many
ways a hidden population. In our culture, it is
generally assumed that a person is either heterosexual
(most frequently) or homosexual (based on appearance or
behavioral clues). Because bisexuality does not fit into
these standard categories, it tends to be denied or
ignored. When it is recognized, bisexuality is often
viewed as being "part heterosexual and part homosexual",
rather than being a unique identity. Bisexuality
threatens the accepted way of looking at the world by
calling into question the validity of rigid sexual
categorization, and encourages acknowledgment of the
existence of a diverse range of sexuality. Since there
is not a stereotypical bisexual appearance or way of
acting, bisexuals are usually assumed to be either
heterosexual or homosexual. In order to increase
awareness, bisexuals have begun to create their own
visible communities.
Bisexuals, like all people, have a wide variety
of relationship styles. Contrary to common myth, a
bisexual person does not need to be sexually involved
with both a man and a woman. As is the case for
heterosexuals and homosexuals, attraction does not
involve acting on every desire. Like heterosexuals and
homosexuals, many bisexuals choose to be sexually active
with one partner only, and have long term, monogamous
relationships. Some bisexuals may have open marriages
that allow for relationships with same-sex partners,
three way relationships, or a number of partners of the
same or opposite gender (singly or simultaneously). It
is important to have the freedom to choose the type of
sexual and affectional relationships that are right for
the people involved, whatever their sexual orientation.
AIDS has had a major impact on the bisexual
community. Bisexual men are often scapegoated as the
agents of transmission of HIV from the gay to the
heterosexual population. However, it is behavior, rather
than sexual orientation that put people at risk for
contracting HIV. Activities that involve the exchange of
bodily fluids, notably semen, blood, and vaginal fluid,
are dangerous. Bisexuals, as well as homosexuals and
heterosexuals, must education themselves about
prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted
diseases. Safer sex guidelines can be obtained from
health centers and AIDS education and action groups.
Bisexuals are joining with other affected people in an
effort to fight AIDS by calling for an increase in
research and education and an end to discrimination
against people with HIV as well as those perceived to be
at risk.
Because bisexuals do not fall within the norms of
traditional sexuality, they experience many of the same
types of discrimination faced by lesbians and gay men.
Bisexuals are likely to face discrimination in
employment, housing, and other opportunities, and may be
victims of anti-gay violence. Efforts are underway in
many areas to pass gay and lesbian rights laws;
bisexuals must be included under these laws as well.
Bisexual parents, especially those with non-traditional
living arrangements, are at risk of losing custody of
their children, and it is virtually impossible for
acknowledged bisexuals to become foster or adoptive
parents. Our society must realize that children need a
loving and nurturing home environment, and that the
ability to provide this is not determined by sexual
orientation.
Bisexuals are an
increasingly visible presence within a variety of
political movements. Bisexuals are working with gays and
lesbians on common issues such as foster care and AIDS,
as well as fighting discrimination against bisexuals
within the homosexual community. Efforts are underway to
promote education and to counter myths and biased
portrayals of bisexuals. Many bisexual groups exist for
the purposes of support, socializing, and activism, and
the number is growing. Bisexuals have the potential to
become an important part of the effort to insure equal
rights for all people and to promote an acceptance of
sexual diversity.
From the UCLA LGBT Campus Resource Center (www.uclalgbt.com)
Adapted from a
pamphlet prepared by BiCEP (Bisexual Committee Engaging
in Politics) and published by the Bisexual Resource
Center (www.biresource.org)