A bisexual
Bisexual FAQ
What does bisexual mean?
In simplest terms, a bisexual person is someone who can be attracted to more than one gender; but adults and youth who recognize as bisexual sometimes outline themselves differently. Many multi-attracted adults have embraced the definition proposed by longtime bisexual leader, national speaker and award-winning activist Robyn Ochs:
"I call myself multi-attracted because I acknowledge that I have in myself the potential to be attracted - romantically and/or sexually - to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the alike time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree."
This broad definition of bisexuality includes people who identify as pansexual, queer, fluid and other labels that suggest potential attraction to more than one gender.
How many people are bisexual?
According to the Williams Institute and the HRC Foundation's own investigate, studies suggest that about 50 percent of people who identify as either gay, lesbian or bisexual person, identify as bisexual. This makes the bisexual population the single largest community within the LGBTQ+ community.
Can a transgender person also be bisexual?
How to spot a bisexual
Every year, come September, the queer discussion groups I take part in create it a point to devote a meeting to Bi+ Visibility Day. I’ve found that across these various meetings, the discussion is almost always overpowered by the topic of bisexual erasure, that despite comprising the majority of queer-identified individuals, there is a tendency to marginalize bisexuality by spreading misinformation or outright ignoring its existence even in Diverse circles. We come advocate , again and again to kvetching about being stereotyped as promiscuous or muddled. Someone might occasionally interject, “Did you know that such-and-such celebrity isn’t gay/straight? It’s a common misconception, but they’re actually bi&#;”I can’t help but sense a little disappointed and misled by this discourse. I’m told that Bi+ Visibility Day is also known as Celebrate Bisexuality Day, but there seems to be little celebration to be had. It’s as if the conversation begins and ends with combatting negative perceptions from straight people and lgbtq+ people alike, as if we can only be understood as neither queer nor heterosexual, with no distinct identity of our own. I would much rather spe
Bisexual Identity
Being Bisexual refers to having attraction – love-related, sexual or spiritual – towards more than one gender and can be expressed in a whole range of different ways. Some bisexual people exposure different levels of attraction between men, women and gender diverse people, while others may experience attraction towards these equally.
A significant proporation of Australians own reported same gender attraction, which includes the spectrum of bisexuality – approximately 9% of men and 19% of women (1).
Bisexuality Can Be Invisible
Despite organism one of the most common identities within the LGBTQIA+ community, bisexuality can be socially invisible, definition that many bisexual people don’t use languge or display behaviours in every day life that prove their bisexual identity.
For example, a bisexual man who is in a association with a woman will often be assumed as straight. This can consequence in bisexual people:
- Feeling pressure to continuously “come out” and having their multi-attracted identity doubted by others.
- Feeling pressure to choose either a “gay” or “straight” identity.
- Feeling isolated or alone in their bisexual self, as other bisexual people may
A Bisexual Person’s Journey to Self-Acceptance
I’ve known my whole life that I’m attracted to women. I fast discovered that I enjoy men too.
Despite my inner knowingness, I’ve struggled to believe this core part of my identity; that I’m bisexual.
As I perform through my feelings with my therapist and originate believing that I involve in both gay and straight spaces, I launch to validate this irreplaceable part of my persona. I’m guided into experiences and relationships that arrive from within me.
There’s still a lot of confusion around being bisexual in a predominantly heterosexual population that wants to impose definitions and labels onto you. But I’m conclusion acceptance within myself, and learning to trust that my feelings, attractions, and relationships are all valid parts of who I am.
Throughout the month of June, HBH joins individuals and organizations in the celebration of Pride Month: a time to uplift and embrace sexuality and gender diversity in our communities.
Pride Month reminds us of the importance of visibility, community, and acceptance. To celebrate, we’re sharing lived experiences from Diverse people learning to discover acceptance and love within themselves.
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