Bisexual: Meaning, Attraction, Identity, and Common Misconceptions

For example, someone may be attracted to women and men. Another bisexual person may be attracted to women and nonbinary people, or to people of several genders.

The prefix bi- traditionally means “two,” but modern bisexual communities often use the term more broadly to mean attraction to one’s own gender and other genders, or attraction to more than one gender.

• She is bisexual.
• He described himself as a bisexual man.
• They discussed bisexual identity.
• The organization supports bisexual students.

It may also be used as a noun:

• She is a bisexual.
• Bisexuals may experience discrimination.

However, bisexual person or bisexual people often sounds more person-centered.

The informal shortened form bi is widely used:

• I am bi.
• They came out as bi.

Bisexuality is the noun referring to the orientation itself:

• She is bisexual.
• Her bisexuality is an important part of her identity.

Both terms concern patterns of attraction rather than a person’s current partner or relationship history.

Many contemporary bisexual people define it more inclusively as:

• attraction to more than one gender;
• attraction to one’s own gender and other genders;
• attraction regardless of a strict male-female division;
• attraction in which gender may still influence the experience.

Definitions differ among individuals. A person’s own explanation of their identity should be respected.

Bisexual commonly means attraction to more than one gender.

Pansexual commonly means attraction to people of any gender or attraction in which gender is not a major determining factor.

Possible distinctions include:

• A bisexual person may experience attraction differently according to gender.
• A pansexual person may describe gender as having little or no influence on attraction.
• Some people feel either label could fit but prefer one because of community, history, or personal meaning.
• Some people use both labels.

Neither identity is more inclusive or valid than the other.

Biromantic refers to romantic attraction to more than one gender.

Sexual and romantic orientation may align, but they do not have to. A person might be:

• bisexual and biromantic;
• bisexual and aromantic;
• bisexual and homoromantic;
• bisexual and heteroromantic;
• asexual and biromantic.

These distinctions are especially useful for people whose sexual and romantic attractions differ.

For example:

• A bisexual womandating a man is still bisexual.
• A bisexual man dating another man is still bisexual.
• A single bisexual person is still bisexual.
• A bisexual person in a monogamous marriage remains bisexual.

Orientation describes capacity or pattern of attraction, not the gender of one current partner.

A bisexual person may:

• usually feel more attraction to one gender;
• experience romantic and sexual attraction differently;
• notice changes in attraction over time;
• feel attraction rarely or strongly;
• have preferences without excluding other genders.

Unequal attraction does not make someone “less bisexual.”

A person does not need to:

• date more than one gender;
• have sex with more than one gender;
• prove equal attraction;
• be in a relationship;
• disclose the identity publicly;
• use the label permanently.

Identity labels help people describe themselves, but individuals may change labels as their understanding develops.

A bisexual person may come out to:

• friends;
• family members;
• partners;
• coworkers;
• healthcare providers;
• an online community.

Coming out is a personal decision, not an obligation. Safety, privacy, culture, religion, housing, employment, and family relationships may affect whether someone chooses to disclose.

Examples include claims that bisexual people are:

• confused;
• going through a phase;
• secretly gay or straight;
• incapable of monogamy;
• naturally unfaithful;
• attracted to everyone;
• seeking attention.

These stereotypes confuse orientation with personality, behavior, and relationship choices.

Examples include:

• calling a bisexual person straight because they have a different-gender partner;
• calling them gay because they have a same-gender partner;
• excluding bisexuality from discussions of sexual orientation;
• assuming everyone must be either heterosexual or homosexual.

Bi erasure can make bisexual people feel invisible within both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities.

A bisexual person may be:

• monogamous;
• polyamorous;
• celibate;
• casually dating;
• married;
• uninterested in relationships.

Being attracted to more than one gender does not mean needing partners of multiple genders at the same time.

A bisexual person may be:

• a woman;
• a man;
• nonbinary;
• transgender;
• cisgender;
• agender;
• bigender;
• another gender identity.

The person’s gender and the genders they are attracted to together shape how they may describe their orientation.

Helpful practices include:

• saying bisexual person rather than treating the identity as a stereotype;
• using bi only when the person is comfortable with it;
• avoiding questions that demand proof of attraction;
• not assuming bisexuality means availability;
• respecting privacy about coming out.

Sexual orientation does not create consent or interest in any particular person.

Bisexual people are confused.
Bisexuality is a recognized sexual orientation.

A bisexual person must be equally attracted to every gender.
Attraction may differ in strength, type, and frequency.

A bisexual person becomes straight or gay depending on their partner.
The orientation does not disappear when the relationship changes.

Bisexual people cannot be monogamous.
Relationship structure is separate from sexual orientation.

Bisexual people are attracted to everyone.
Like anyone else, they have individual preferences and boundaries.

• bisexual person;
• bisexual identity;
• bisexual attraction;
• bisexual community;
• openly bisexual;
• come out as bisexual;
• bisexual representation;
• bisexual visibility.

1. She identifies as bisexual and is attracted to more than one gender.
2. His current relationship did not change his bisexual orientation.
3. A bisexual person does not need equal attraction to every gender.
4. They came out as bi to several close friends.
5. Bisexuality and pansexuality may overlap for some people.
6. She was bisexual even before having any dating experience.
7. The film included positive bisexual representation.
8. Biphobia can occur inside and outside LGBTQ+ communities.
9. Being bisexual does not determine whether someone is monogamous.
10. Sexual orientation does not imply consent or attraction to a particular person.

The identity may shape dating, relationships, self-understanding, community belonging, coming out, and the language someone uses to describe attraction. However, it does not determine sexual behavior, relationship structure, libido, or number of partners.

Respectful understanding of bisexuality recognizes diverse patterns of attraction, avoids stereotypes and bi erasure, and accepts that each person has the right to define, disclose, or privately understand their own orientation.