What is bisexuality?

Bisexuality has historically been misunderstood and maligned. Labeled as confused, sex addicts, or not queer enough, people who identify as bisexual have often been stigmatized in both gay and straight communities. In the last few decades, bisexual activists have helped increase acceptance for bisexual orientation. Bisexuality can take many forms, including being single, being married, being in a monogamous relationship, or having several lovers. Some of us choose to have sexual relationships with men at one point in our lives and with women at another point. We may become lovers only with men or only with women, without acting on our other attractions. For some, being bisexual means dating both men and women at the same time. Sometimes, thinking of ourselves as bisexual is a stopping place in a transition from one identity to another. Yet for many of us, bisexuality is not transitional at all. We are comfortable with our desires and accept that we don't have to be either straight or gay. The concept of bisexuality and sexual orientation, in general, can become more complicated if we are transgender or if we are dating someone who is transgender. For example, some women identify as lesbian and date transmen while other women identify as lesbian and date transwomen. Some of us use the term "pansexual" to describe being attracted to people across genders. This term gives more room to those who are attracted to or identify as transgender or genderqueer and feel limited by defining attraction to men or women or both.

Find out more about this book: Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era

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