Bisexuality

Bisexuality is a way some people feel romantic or emotional attraction to both males and females, or to people of any gender. It is one of the main types of sexual orientation, along with heterosexuality and homosexuality.

Scientists think that being bisexual, like other sexual orientations, is not a choice. They believe it comes from a mix of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.

Bisexuality has been seen in many cultures and even in animals throughout history. The word "bisexuality" was first used in the 19th century by a German doctor named Richard von Krafft-Ebing, and later brought into English by another doctor, Charles Gilbert Chaddock.

Definitions

Sexual orientation, identity, and behavior

Main articles: Human sexual activity, Sexual identity, and Sexual orientation

Bisexuality means feeling love or strong connection to both girls and boys, or to more than one type of person. Some people feel this way about people of their own gender and other genders. Experts say feelings about love and relationships can change over time. Someone might feel differently now than they did before.

People might feel attracted to others but choose not to act on those feelings. Some might not have had any relationships yet. There are many words people use to describe how they feel, like queer, polysexual, heteroflexible, and others.

Some think bisexuality means feeling connected to all kinds of people, which is similar to pansexuality. This idea does not limit feelings to just two kinds of people.

Kinsey scale

Main article: Kinsey scale

A long time ago, a scientist named Alfred Kinsey created a way to show how people feel about love and relationships. He said people can feel different levels of connection to girls, boys, or both. The Kinsey scale ranges from 0 (only feeling for one gender) to 6 (only feeling for the same gender). People in the middle, from 2 to 4, are often called bisexual. But some people think this scale is too simple because feelings are more complicated than just a number.

Other scales

Main article: Scales of sexual orientation

There are other ways scientists study these feelings:

• Klein Sexual Orientation Grid
  • Looks at many parts of feelings and actions, not just one thing.
• Shively Scale
  • Measures two kinds of feelings separately.
• Sell Assessment of Sexual Orientation
  • Checks many parts of how someone feels and acts.
• Multidimensional Scale of Sexuality (MSS)
  • Uses many questions to understand feelings and dreams.

Demographics and prevalence

Main article: Demographics of sexual orientation

Scientists study how many people are attracted to more than one gender. Their guesses range from less than 1 percent to about 8 percent of people. Different studies have found different numbers over the years.

For example, a study from 1993 found that about 5 percent of men and 3 percent of women felt this way. A study from 2014 found that only about 1 percent of Americans felt this way.

Generally, more women than men say they are attracted to more than one gender. Some studies show that many young people today are more open about feeling this way. The numbers can change as society’s views change.

Studies, theories and social responses

Main articles: Biology and sexual orientation and Environment and sexual orientation

Further information: Prenatal hormones and sexual orientation and Fraternal birth order and sexual orientation

Scientists are still learning why some people feel attraction toward both males and females. They believe it comes from a mix of things inside our bodies and our life experiences, shaped when we are very young. Most think these feelings are natural, not choices.

Some researchers study how our brains or genes might affect attraction. Others think that culture and society also matter. How people see attraction to more than one gender can be different for men and women. Some experts think this kind of attraction might help people make strong friendships and work well together.

Community

Main article: Bisexual community

The bisexual community includes people who feel attraction toward more than one gender. Some feel they don’t fit into just gay or straight groups, so they create their own communities and cultures. Others might choose to join either gay or straight groups.

Like others in the LGBTQ community, bisexual people sometimes face unfair treatment. They may be misunderstood or excluded. Some bisexual people keep their feelings private because of these pressures.

A common symbol for the bisexual community is the bisexual flag. Each year on September 23, people celebrate Bisexuality Day to honor and recognize bisexual people and their history.

History

Main article: History of bisexuality

See also: Bisexuality in the United States, Homosexuality in ancient Greece, and Homosexuality in ancient Rome

Long ago, people in places like ancient Greece and ancient Rome had different ideas about relationships than we do today. For example, men in ancient Greece sometimes had relationships with both men and women. In Rome, men also had relationships with people of different genders, but there were some rules about this.

Later, a scientist named Alfred Kinsey studied how people feel attracted to others. In the 1940s, his research showed that many people feel attraction toward more than one gender. This was surprising to many people at the time. His work helped people learn more about these feelings.

Media

Main article: Media portrayals of bisexuality

Bisexuality is sometimes shown in a bad way in movies and stories. Some films show bisexual characters unfairly, making them seem tricky or unfaithful. For a long time, movies didn’t show many bisexual characters.

Some important movies with bisexual characters include Something for Everyone, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Call Me by Your Name. Books also explore bisexuality, with examples like Virginia Woolf’s Orlando: A Biography and works by authors such as D. H. Lawrence and Colette.

Musicians like David Bowie and Freddie Mercury have talked openly about their bisexuality. TV shows such as Orange is the New Black and Torchwood also feature bisexual characters, showing their relationships in different ways.

Among other animals

Main article: Homosexual behavior in animals

See also: Animal sexual behaviour

Some animals show attraction toward both males and females. This has been seen in many kinds of animals. For example, it happens in mammals like bonobos, orcas, walruses, and bottlenose dolphins. It is also seen in some birds such as certain gulls and Humboldt penguins. We also find it in fish and flatworms too.