#bisexual definition

[madwoman19]

[robynochs]

"I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I have in myself the potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree." - Robyn Ochs

[imafckingunicorn]

This definition is what I go with when I say I'm bisexual.

Every time, every single time bisexuality is brought up, like in a youtube video, the reactions are invalidating me.

"Bi means two, bisexuals are only attracted to two genders!"

"Bisexuals are only attracted to men and women!"

"Bisexuals are trans-exclusionary!"

Shut the hell up. Here's the definition. Shut up and let me live in peace.

[hellomynameisbisexual]

does being bi mean there are only 2 genders? bc i think that there are more than 2 but i’m not pan

To answer your question you have to define what bisexuality means and there’s more then just one definition here are some examples as seen here:

Bisexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior toward both males and females, or to more than one sex or gender. It may also be defined as romantic or sexual attraction to people of any sex or gender identity, which is also known as pansexuality.

The BRC uses bisexual as an umbrella term for people who recognize and honor their potential for sexual and emotional attraction to more than one gender. We celebrate and affirm the diversity of identity and expression regardless of labels.

A bi person has the capacity for romantic and/or sexual attraction to more than one gender.

This is how we define it: A bisexual is someone who is attracted to more than one gender. You might care about the gender of your partner a lot, a little, or not at all – but their gender doesn’t prevent you from being attracted to them.

Bisexual – A person whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to other people of various sexes and/or gender identities. Individuals may experience this attraction in differing ways and degrees over their lifetime.

Bisexuality is the potential to feel attracted to and to engage in sexual and/or romantic relationships with people of any sex or gender.

I call myself bisexual 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 same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.

Bisexuality is the attraction to two or more genders, not necessarily to the same extent, not necessarily in the same way, not necessarily at the same time.

bisexuality is, broadly speaking, the attraction to two or more genders. bisexuality is not inherently or transphobic or exclusive of non binary genders—note that there are both binary and non-binary trans people who identify as bisexual. it is possible for bisexuals to be attracted to be attracted to anywhere from two to an infinite number of genders. many times, bisexuals will define their own sexuality as the attraction to both similar and different genders (which encompasses all genders). however, it is important to remember that bisexuals can be attracted to multiple genders without being attracted to people of their own gender. for example, an agender bi person may be attracted to women, bigender, and genderfluid people, or a bi woman might be attracted to men and agender people…..

bisexual: the (sexual) attraction to two or more genders. sometimes defined as the attraction to same + different genders; however, this is not true of all bisexuals.

bisexuality is the attraction to two or more genders”

Bisexuals have been defining bisexuality as the attraction to two or more/same and other for decades. This isn’t some made-up tumblr joke. Words change meaning. Prefixes change meanings. We didn’t even give ourselves the term bisexual to begin with, doctors did.

bisexual- sexually attracted to your same/similar gender and other gender(s), OR sexually attracted to 2 or more genders. Some bisexuals feel that they experience different kinds or degrees of attraction to different genders/gender presentations.

Bi: attracted to two or more genders. Some people will define it as “attracted to similar and different genders,” but this is slightly less inclusive than the above definition. I’m of the mind that “similar and different” evolved to satisfy bi=2 prescriptivists, but they are insatiable and forever gross.

…being bi does not reinforce the gender binary. And some bi people are only attracted to men and women–and that’s ok! However, bi is not defined as the attraction to men and women, or two genders. It can be for an individual, but not for our entire community. That definition is not only false, but harmful. (This is not to imply that bi people can’t be transphobic!) This also means that you don’t have to be sexually attracted to people to be bi. There are so many different kinds of attraction, and to just focus on bisexuality would be excluding a lot of people (e.g. being biromantic).

What does bisexual mean?

Attraction to:

1. Two or more genders or

2. More than one gender.

Bisexuality is the attraction to two or more genders

Bisexuality is not half gay and half straight. Bisexuality is not in between gay and straight. Bisexuality is not gay when dating the same gender and straight when dating a different gender. Bisexuality is not gay-ish or straight-ish. Bisexuality is its own fully independent self-contained complete orientation.

We are tired of being analyzed, defined and represented by people other than ourselves, or worse yet, not considered at all. We are frustrated by the imposed isolation and invisibility that comes from being told or expected to choose either a homosexual or heterosexual identity. Monosexuality is a heterosexist dictate used to oppress homosexuals and to negate the validity of bisexuality. Bisexuality is a whole, fluid identity. Do not assume that bisexuality is binary or duogamous in nature: that we have “two” sides or that we must be involved simultaneously with both genders to be fulfilled human beings. In fact, don’t assume that there are only two genders. Do not mistake our fluidity for confusion, irresponsibility, or an inability to commit. Do not equate promiscuity, infidelity, or unsafe sexual behavior with bisexuality. Those are human traits that cross all sexual orientations. Nothing should be assumed about anyone’s sexuality, including your own. We are angered by those who refuse to accept our existence; our issues; our contributions; our alliances; our voice. It is time for the bisexual voice to be heard

Defining bisexuality, just like defining any identity label, can be complicated and controversial. My definition of the label “bisexual” is informed by the work of The Bisexual Organizing Project. It includes people who use labels such as “bisexual,” “non-monosexual,” “persexual,” “omnisexual,” “ambisexual,” “pansexual,” “queer” or any other term that people use to identify themselves as individuals who are emotionally, romantically or physically attracted to people of more than one sex, gender or gender identity. I also recognize that not everyone chooses to adopt a label to describe their sexual orientation, and I also include non-labeling people who see themselves as part of a queer, non-monosexual or bisexual community under my definition of “bisexual.

Reasons why the prefix/etymology argument is not a very good one against “bi = attraction to 2 or more

[verilybitchie]

J: Are we ever going to be able to define what bisexuality is? S: Never completely. That's just it -- the variety of lifestyles that we see between us defies definition.

Boston Bisexual Women's Network Newsletter, January 1984

[isaaac04]

the definition of bisexual

while yes, at first glance, bisexuality does look like it means attraction to 2 genders... but it doesn't. so if your one of those people that says "well bi means 2 so bi people are only attracted to 2 genders," keep reading.

bisexuality was first used as a scientific term to describe someone who was attracted to both men and women, or someone who was sexually involved with both men and women.

the term has evolved since then! like language does!

tbh you could even argue that saying "bi means 2" is an etymological fallacy. (a genetic fallacy that holds that the present day meaning of a word or phrase should necessarily be similar to its historical meaning) because the original meaning (just men and women) is not the meaning now.

so then, what does bisexuality mean?

lets have a look at what bisexual organisations and activists define the term as:

"Bisexuality is not limited by sex nor, by extension, by gender. Imposing gender limitations upon bisexuality is, in itself, a form of bi erasure."

https://bi.org/en/questions

"This is how we define it: A bisexual is someone who is attracted to more than one gender. You might care about the gender of your partner a lot, a little, or not at all - but their gender doesn't prevent you from being attracted to them."

http://www.bisexualindex.org.uk/index.php/AmIBisexual

"Bisexual, Bi A person whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to other people of various sexes and/or gender identities"

www.binetusa.org/BiNet_USA_Bisexual_Media_Guide_1st_Edition.pdf

"Bisexuality is the potential to feel attracted to and to engage in sexual and/or romantic relationships with people of more than one sex or gender. A bisexual person may not be equally attracted to men and women. The degree of attraction to any gender can be fluid and may change over time."

https://www.torontobinet.org/bisexuality

"and the resultant overlap color purple represents sexual attraction to all genders" (talking about what the bisexual flag means)

https://www.torontobinet.org/bisexuality

"The Bisexual Resource Center, and many other leaders in the bi+ community uses “bi” “bisexual” and “bi+” to mean anyone who is attracted romantically and/or sexually to more than one gender."

http://biresource.org/bisexuality-101/labels/

"assuming that all bisexuals are never attracted to trans or genderqueer folk is harmful"

http://biresource.org/bisexuality-101/labels/

“I call myself bisexual 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 same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.” -Robyn Ochs, bisexual activist

https://robynochs.com/quotes/

and of course, who could forget the bisexual manifesto of 1990 which states:

"Bisexuality is a whole, fluid identity. Do not assume that bisexuality is binary or duogamous in nature: that we have "two" sides or that we must be involved simultaneously with both genders to be fulfilled human beings. In fact, don’t assume that there are only two genders."

so what's the running theme here? attraction to two or more genders/fluidity/all genders. which means that bisexuals can be attracted to non binary people without being pansexual or polysexual etc (someone told me im trisexual once like wtf)

basically to be bisexual you have to be attracted to 2 or more genders. if you just like men and women, thats fine, you're a valid bisexual.

if you like all genders, you're also a valid bisexual!

if you like some but not all, you guessed it! you're a valid bisexual!

(obviously provided that you identify as bi, i don't really like the labels polysexual or omnisexual (or even pansexual ngl) or whatever but i won't force you to use the term bi or anything if you don't want to use that term)

note: this is the text from a post i made and posted on @isaac.co.uk.2 which is my lgbt discourse account on instagram

[pink-helpers]

Heads up- bi is typically defined as two or more genders. Usually your own and others.

Hi there,

This is partially correct, and though interpretation can vary, the meaning of a term comes from its lingual basis. Bi is two genders, yours (usually) and another one. That is why the term pansexual exists for when it is all genders/regardless of genders. But people are free to use the terms (without being silly about it) to express themselves and feel confident about who they are.

- Liam

[sorrynotsorrybi]

So I looked up bi in the dictionary and it said "see gay"

I would have to ask which dictionary you used to look it up as the resources I have at my disposal, namely the internet dictionaries of dictionary.com and merriam-webster.com do not refer you to “see gay”. Their definitions are not great, to be sure, but they acknowledge our existence and the existence of the word bisexual being around since around the 1820s at the very least.

-Mod Bee