Bisexuality
Sexual orientation encompassing attraction to more than one gender.
Bisexuality is defined as having romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior towards more than one gender or attraction that is not limited by sex or gender. Bisexual (or bi) was reclaimed as a sexual orientation label in the 1960s and has been defined in a variety of ways by the bisexual community.
- definition
- Attraction to more than one gender or sex, or attraction not limited by sex or gender
- term_origin
- 19th century, coined by Richard von Krafft-Ebing in German
- label_reclamation
- 1960s
- key_organizations
- American Institute of Bisexuality, American Psychological Association
- notable_definer
- Robyn Ochs
Lore & Background
It was reclaimed as a sexual orientation label in the 1960s. The bisexual community has defined bisexuality in multiple ways, including attraction regardless of gender, attraction beyond the gender binary, and attraction to men and women or more than one gender. The American Institute of Bisexuality describes it as an umbrella term covering a wide range of identities and behaviors where attractions are not limited by sex or gender. Activist Robyn Ochs defines it as the potential to be attracted to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time or to the same degree.
Reader's Guide
Bisexuality has been observed in various human societies and elsewhere in the animal kingdom throughout recorded history. Scientists do not know the exact determinants of sexual orientation but theorize it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences, and do not view it as a choice. There is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial, biological causes than social ones, especially for males. The Kinsey scale, created in the 1940s, measures sexual orientation on a continuum from 0 (exclusively heterosexual) to 6 (exclusively homosexual), with people ranking 2 to 4 often considered bisexual. However, the scale has been criticized for implying an inverse relation in attraction to males and females that some studies do not support. Other scales, such as the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid and the Shively Scale, offer more nuanced measures. Bisexuality as a transitional identity has been examined, with some studies showing consistency and others showing change over time.
Did You Know?
- The Kinsey scale ranges from 0 (exclusively heterosexual) to 6 (exclusively homosexual), with people ranking 2 to 4 often considered bisexual.
- Bisexuality has been observed in various human societies and elsewhere in the animal kingdom throughout recorded history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bisexuality?
Bisexuality is a sexual orientation defined by romantic, sexual, or emotional attraction toward more than one gender, or by attraction that is not constrained by sex or gender. The community reclaimed the label as a self-identifying term in the 1960s, reshaping its meaning for its own purposes.
What are Bisexuality's powers or role?
Bisexuality occupies a spectrum where the intensity and focus of attraction can shift across a person's lifetime, resisting a single fixed formula. It is formally recognized by bodies such as the American Psychological Association and has its own dedicated advocacy organizations like the American Institute of Bisexuality.
How does Bisexuality's story end?
Bisexuality is a living, ongoing orientation rather than a narrative with a predetermined finale. Its story continues to unfold as the community keeps redefining and reclaiming the label in new cultural and personal contexts.
Why is Bisexuality important?
Bisexuality challenges the assumption that attraction must lock into a single-gender category, broadening how people understand and name their identities. Since the 1960s reclamation, it has been a steady force in LGBTQ+ visibility, research, and advocacy.
When did Bisexuality first appear in the canon?
The term was coined in the 19th century by German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing. The modern, community-driven meaning took shape in the 1960s, with contributors like Robyn Ochs helping articulate a definition that the bisexual community could own.
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