Bisexuality
Statistically, a vast majority of people have experienced some form of erotic attraction toward both sexes, no matter how brief, whether acted upon or not. Kinsey, et al., stated that exclusive homosexuality and heterosexuality represented end points on a spectrum of human sexuality, with many people falling somewhere in between. Basically, sexuality lies on a continuum and bisexuality is one point on that continuum.
Bisexuality is the potential for sexual and/or romantic involvement with members of either sex. Bisexual people are no more promiscuous than any other group of people, and are just as capable of making a long-term monogamous commitment to a partner as anybody else. It’s myth that bisexuals are non-monogamous.
Bisexual people tend to favour one sex over another, recognizing that they are attracted to both sexes. This does not mean that bisexual people need to have two lovers, two-timing, in order to feel fulfilled. Bisexual people live a variety of lifestyles, as diverse as either the heterosexual or the gay lesbian community. Bisexuality is an orientation that allows for people to be open to immense possibilities, whether acted upon or not.
Biphobia
Bisexual people are discriminated against for supposedly being more sexual, more confused, and indecisive. They are accused of being fence-sitters who want the best of both worlds. These myths, or biphobia, force many bisexuals to conceal who they are, hoping to protect themselves from intolerance from both the gay and lesbian and heterosexual communities.
Biphobia complicates the formation of sexual identity in bisexual people who internalize accusations that they are strange or confused. Most bisexuals consider themselves part of the generic term gay. For bisexuals, identifying as monosexual is simply not an option. Nor is identifying with the heterosexual community over the gay and lesbian community even considered.
Bisexuals share concerns regarding the same issues with gay men and lesbians, and not just half of the time. Heterosexual privilege does not prevent bisexuals from being gay bashed when coming home from a gay bar or walking hand-in-hand with a same-sex partner. Bisexuals do not get half stigmatized for having a same-sex lover. As such, gay and lesbian issues are bisexual issues.
Recognition and Acceptance
Bisexuals are becoming increasingly active in the gay and lesbian community. Queer McGill offers weekly meetings and discussion groups, dances, a library and peer counseling.
Society needs to challenge the notion of dichotomous sexuality and identity. Sexuality is not a black and white issue, and whether one is heterosexual or lesbian or gay, sexuality is certainly more than who you have sex with.
When we accept the existence of bisexuality, we broaden and embrace our understanding of the full continuum of human sexuality.
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This a really good discussion succinctly presenting the issues we face within the gay community as a whole. As the campaign says: I give a damn. As my own preference has
shifted to be attracted somewhat more to males than females, I find myself increasingly comfortable in identifying with the gay banner. Joyfully, if discretely I relate as one of the gay community, for GLBT as a whole, I am a proud part of it. With out reservation your final sentence is resoundly true. Enough J