Are you androgynous or non-gendered, bisexual or just spiritual.
SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2010
Open Forum: Rethinking Bisexuality
It is without doubt that there are people who experience romantic/erotic attractions to more than one sex. Typically we have called this group of people bisexual. There are many individuals who have moved away from the term finding that it isn't inclusive enough of their own feelings and identity.
Some are taken back by the stereotypes associated with bisexuality and therefore seek to distance themselves from being associated with those negative and false connotations. Some people simply do not like that the word 'sexual' is in the term because it implies that the orientation is only about sex when in fact that is only one aspect of it. Finally, there are those who prefer terms such as queer, pansexual, omnisexual, and fluid to describe their identity because they find bisexuality limiting.
Bi means two and therefore many are turned off by the dichotomy that it presents. If you are bi it means you like males and females to some degree. Many people find that this excludes many other sexes and genders such as those who are intersex, transgender, genderqueer, androgynous or non-gendered. That is why these new terms have popped up to describe sexual identities that are more inclusive of all people.
What about re-conceiving what bisexuality is all about? Bi does mean two but we don't have to approach bisexuality as interest in two sexes (male & female). Why can't bi refer to those who are romantically/erotically attracted to both a masculine and feminine spirit that individuals offer. By discussing the essence of an individual it eliminates all reference to gender and sex and instead focuses on the characteristics that people find attractive.
Do you think bisexuality is outdated? Or is there room for new interpretation that can include everyone with attractions to more than one sex and gender under an already established and understood term called bisexual?
Open Forum: Rethinking Bisexuality
It is without doubt that there are people who experience romantic/erotic attractions to more than one sex. Typically we have called this group of people bisexual. There are many individuals who have moved away from the term finding that it isn't inclusive enough of their own feelings and identity.
Some are taken back by the stereotypes associated with bisexuality and therefore seek to distance themselves from being associated with those negative and false connotations. Some people simply do not like that the word 'sexual' is in the term because it implies that the orientation is only about sex when in fact that is only one aspect of it. Finally, there are those who prefer terms such as queer, pansexual, omnisexual, and fluid to describe their identity because they find bisexuality limiting.
Bi means two and therefore many are turned off by the dichotomy that it presents. If you are bi it means you like males and females to some degree. Many people find that this excludes many other sexes and genders such as those who are intersex, transgender, genderqueer, androgynous or non-gendered. That is why these new terms have popped up to describe sexual identities that are more inclusive of all people.
What about re-conceiving what bisexuality is all about? Bi does mean two but we don't have to approach bisexuality as interest in two sexes (male & female). Why can't bi refer to those who are romantically/erotically attracted to both a masculine and feminine spirit that individuals offer. By discussing the essence of an individual it eliminates all reference to gender and sex and instead focuses on the characteristics that people find attractive.
Do you think bisexuality is outdated? Or is there room for new interpretation that can include everyone with attractions to more than one sex and gender under an already established and understood term called bisexual?
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