GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

What does it mean to identify as bisexual?

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Bisexual means a person is attracted to more than one gender, including both men and women. Bisexuality is one of many sexual orientations that describe who a person may be romantically or sexually attracted to.

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DefinitionAttraction to more than one gender
Sexual OrientationOne of several sexual orientations alongside heterosexual, homosexual, and asexual
Attraction TypeCan include attraction to men, women, and non-binary people
Common MisconceptionBisexuality does not mean equal attraction to all genders or being attracted to everyone
Personal ExperienceBisexual individuals may experience attraction differently based on personal circumstances

What Bisexuality Means

Bisexuality refers to romantic or sexual attraction to more than one gender. A bisexual person may be attracted to men, women, or non-binary people (people who do not identify as only male or female). Like other sexual orientations, bisexuality is a natural part of human diversity.

How Bisexuality Works

Bisexual attraction is not the same for every person. Some bisexual people may feel equally attracted to different genders, while others may feel stronger attraction to one gender than another. Attraction can also change over time. Being bisexual does not mean a person is confused about their identity or that they are attracted to everyone they meet.

Bisexuality vs. Other Orientations

Sexual orientation describes who a person is attracted to. Heterosexual people are attracted to a different gender, homosexual (gay or lesbian) people are attracted to the same gender, and bisexual people are attracted to more than one gender. Asexual people experience little to no sexual attraction. These are all normal variations of human sexuality.

Important Notes

Bisexuality is distinct from gender identity, which is about whether someone identifies as male, female, or non-binary. A bisexual person can be any gender. Sexual orientation and gender identity are separate parts of a person's identity. Being bisexual is not a phase or a choice—it is how some people naturally experience attraction.

Sources

  1. glaad.org (glaad.org)
  2. hrc.org (hrc.org)
  3. mayoclinic.org (mayoclinic.org)