The Rainbow Bridge

Bisexual Page

LetŐs Start off with some answers to really common questions regarding bisexuality:

What do you mean by ``bisexual''?

Bisexuality means sexual or romantic attraction or behavior directed towards some members of more than one sex. What is ``a bisexual''?

A strict definition of a bisexual would be someone who has romantic and/or sexual relations with other people of more than one sex (though not neccessarily at the same time).

However, since not everyone has neccessarily had the opportunity to act on their sexal/romantic attractions, some people prefer a looser definition; for instance, that a bisexual is a person who - in their own estimation - feels potentially able to have such attraction. This could be anyone who has erotic, affectionate, or romantic feelings for, fantasies of, and/or experiences with both men and women.

A bisexual may be more attracted to one sex than the other, attracted equally to both, or find people's sex. The strength of their attractions to men and women may vary over time.

Aren't bisexuals just going through a phase of being confused about their sexuality?

The simple answer is ``no'' or at least ``not neccessarily'' - many of us are absulutely certain that we are attracted to both sexes; there is no confusion. Many people are bisexual for life, which proves it is not neccessarily just a phase.

It is natural for people who are coming to terms with a sexuality which is not society's norm to be feel confused. For some people, bisexuality is a phase between homosexuality and heterosexuality (and the individual in question could be going in either direction); for others it can just be a brief experimentation. But for many people bisexuality is a lifelong, committed sexual orientation.

And even for those who ultimately do not stay bisexual for life, that does not make it any the less valid as a sexual orientation. Many people have reported that their sexual orientation has shifted over time; sexuality is dynamic, not fixed. For some people it may be a small shift, others a major change of lifestyle; but this does not make the points in between in any sense ``wrong''. Life is a continuous process, and few of us remain exactly the same over long periods of time.

Bisexual Identity

Some people believe that a person is born heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual (for instance due to prenatal hormonal influences), and that their identity is inherent and unchangeable. Others believe that sexual orientation is due to socialization (for example either imitating or rejecting parental models) or conscious choice (for example, choosing lesbianism as part of a political feminist identity). Others believe that these factors interact. Because biological, social, and cultural factors are different for each person, everyone's sexuality is highly individual, whether they are bisexual, gay or lesbian, heterosexual, or asexual. The "value" placed on a sexual identity should not depend on its origin. Many people assume that bisexuality is just a phase people go through. In fact, any sexual orientation can be a phase. Humans are diverse, and individual sexual feelings and behavior change over time. The creation and consolidation of a sexual identity is an ongoing process. Since we are generally socialized as heterosexuals, bisexuality is a stage that many people experience as part of the process of acknowledging their homosexuality. Many others come to identify as bisexuals after a considerable period of identification as gay men or lesbians. A recent study by Ron Fox of more than 900 bisexual individuals found that 1/3 had previously identified as lesbian or gay. An orientation that may not be permanent is still valid for the period of time it is experienced. Bisexuality, like homosexuality and heterosexuality, may be either a transitional step in the process of sexual discovery, or a stable, long-term identity.

How Common Is Bisexuality

It is not easy to say how common bisexuality is, since little research has been done on this subject; most studies on sexuality have focused on heterosexuals or homosexuals. Based on research done by Kinsey in the 1940s and 1950s, as many as 15-25% of women and 33-46% of men may be bisexual, based on their activities or attractions. Bisexuals are in many ways a hidden population. In our culture, it is generally assumed that a person is either heterosexual (the default assumption) or homosexual (based on appearance or behavioral clues.) Because bisexuality does not fit into these standard categories, it is often denied or ignored. When it is recognized, bisexuality is often viewed as being "part heterosexual and part homosexual," rather than being a unique identity. Bisexuality threatens the accepted way of looking at the world by calling into question the validity of rigid sexual categories, and encourages acknowledgment of the existence of a diverse range of sexuality. Since there is not a stereotypical bisexual appearance or way of acting, bisexuals are usually assumed to be either heterosexual or homosexual. In order to increase awareness, bisexuals have begun to create their own visible communities.

BLGT Conferences and Events

soc.bi

alt.personals.bi

soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi

#bisex

#bifem

A great article on Bisexuality

A brief history of the Bisexual Movement

#BiFemSex+ and #BiFemLounge- place for mature bisexual, lesbian and straight women and their partners to meet and converse, sharing life experiences including the bisexual/lesbian lifestyle, all in a relaxed atmosphere.

Anything That Moves - the magazine for the card-carrying bisexual.

Australian Bisexual Network - ABN provides information, support and social events for bisexual people and partners and links to other bisexual groups, resources and GLBT sites world wide.

BECAUSE '97 - Bisexual Empowerment Conference, A Uniting Supportive Experience, a regional conference for bisexual people and their supporters held each spring in Minnesota.

bi all means... - bisexual person's guide to the internet

Bi Day, Bi Night - cool links to bi resources and mailing lists. Not too graphical; easy to download.

Bi Planet - discussion forum, newsletters, resources and more.

bi.org - providing a free Internet presence for bisexual individuals, groups and non-profit organisations.

BiCon '96 - the UK has held a Bisexual Conference since 1984, this site includes all you need know about the 14th!

Bifems Inc. - information, education, support and resources for bisexual women world wide.

BISEX.ORG

Bisexual Hell - tons of links to bisexual-related sites and publications.

Bisexual Options - your Internet home for everything bisexual. Articles, resources, people to meet, bi Web pages city by city and more.

Bisexual Resource List

Bisexuality and Bisexual Resources

Bisexuality And How To Use It - article from Bad Subjects, Issue #16, 1994.

Bisexuality: Identities, Behaviors, and Politics - focusing on South Asia and diaspora.

Florida Bi-Line - an internet guide to bisexual resources.

Hapless Romantic's Bi Page - this page is intended to explain what it's like being bisexual.

Marc's Bisexual Life and Links Page - dedicated to the Bisexual lifestyle, with gay and lesbian links. It's about exploring sexuality.

Soc.bi page - discussion of any issues related to bisexuality.

spouse-support - Internet mailing list in both standard and digest formats for monogamous straight spouses and their bisexual partners who are trying to make their marriages survive and thrive.

uk-bi mailing list - for discussions about bisexuality, or of interest to bisexuals, specifically related to the UK.

WomBAT - women-only mailing list for bisexual women.

FAQ - soc.bi