Bisexuality

Definition

Bisexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to individuals of one's own gender as well as individuals of other genders. It is a distinct identity that exists on the spectrum of human sexuality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bisexuality is not a phase or a transition between heterosexuality and homosexuality, but a valid and distinct sexual orientation.
2. Bisexual individuals may experience their attraction to different genders in varying degrees and ways throughout their lives.
3. Biphobia, or the prejudice and discrimination against bisexual individuals, is a significant issue that bisexual people often face.
4. Bisexual individuals may face unique challenges in terms of social acceptance, visibility, and access to resources and support.
5. Bisexuality intersects with other aspects of identity, such as gender, race, and socioeconomic status, leading to complex experiences and perspectives.

Review Questions

• Explain how bisexuality relates to the concepts of sex, gender, identity, and expression.
  • Bisexuality is a sexual orientation that encompasses attraction to individuals of one's own gender as well as individuals of other genders. It is distinct from both heterosexuality and homosexuality, and it challenges the binary understanding of gender and sexuality. Bisexual individuals may express their gender and sexuality in diverse ways, and their identity is not defined by the gender of their partner. Bisexuality intersects with other aspects of identity, such as gender identity and expression, and can be influenced by societal norms and expectations around sex and gender.
• Describe the unique challenges and experiences that bisexual individuals may face in relation to their identity and expression.
  • Bisexual individuals often face biphobia, or prejudice and discrimination, from both heterosexual and homosexual communities. They may struggle with issues of visibility and social acceptance, as their identity may be misunderstood or invalidated. Bisexual individuals may also experience challenges in accessing resources and support tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, the intersectionality of bisexuality with other aspects of identity, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, can lead to complex and multifaceted experiences that require nuanced understanding and support.
• Analyze how societal norms and expectations around sex and gender can influence the expression and understanding of bisexuality.
  • Societal norms and expectations around sex and gender can significantly impact the way bisexuality is perceived and expressed. The binary understanding of gender and sexuality, which often equates heterosexuality with 'normal' and homosexuality with 'deviant,' can lead to the marginalization and invalidation of bisexual identities. Bisexual individuals may face pressure to conform to heteronormative or homonormative standards, leading to the erasure of their unique experiences and the suppression of their authentic expression. Additionally, the intersectionality of bisexuality with other aspects of identity, such as race, class, and disability, can further complicate the ways in which societal norms and expectations shape the lived experiences of bisexual individuals.

Related terms

Sexual Orientation: An individual's emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to other people, which can include heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and other orientations.

Gender Identity: A person's internal, deeply held sense of their own gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Pansexuality: A sexual orientation characterized by the potential for emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to people of all gender identities and biological sexes.