Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Kristen Stewart – "I'm So Gay"

Kristen Stewart – "I'm So Gay"

What's your Sexual Orientation?

What's your Sexual Orientation?

Neighbours star Mavournee Hazel confirms she's attracted to both genders

Neighbours star Mavournee Hazel confirms she's attracted to both genders

Former Bachelor star Heather Maltman reveals she's been in same-sex relationships before

Former Bachelor star Heather Maltman reveals she's been in same-sex relationships before

{headline}

{headline}

Miranda Kerr suffers another tragic loss

Miranda Kerr suffers another tragic loss

Brooke Blurton spills why the Honey Badger blocked her

Brooke Blurton spills why the Honey Badger blocked her

MAFS expert's surprising new UK gig

MAFS expert's surprising new UK gig

{headline}

{headline}

What REALLY happened in Mike Munro’s interview with Britney Spears

What REALLY happened in Mike Munro’s interview with Britney Spears

EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Sebastians' intriguing family dynamics

EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Sebastians' intriguing family dynamics

The REAL reason Dr Trisha Stratford quit  MAFS

The REAL reason Dr Trisha Stratford quit MAFS

REVEALED: All the celebs joining Dancing With The Stars: All Stars

REVEALED: All the celebs joining Dancing With The Stars: All Stars

How to read WHO stories online following Facebook ban

How to read WHO stories online following Facebook ban

EXCLUSIVE: Could Alyson Hannigan be coming to Australia?

EXCLUSIVE: Could Alyson Hannigan be coming to Australia?

Ouch! Miley Cyrus takes savage swipe at ex

Ouch! Miley Cyrus takes savage swipe at ex

  1. Home
  2. News

What does it mean to be bisexual?

The modern definition. - by Hannah Hempenstall
  • 03 Oct 2018
What does it mean to be bisexual?
Getty

It seems to have become ‘hip’ to be ‘bi’. Being bisexual used to be shunned by both the hetero and homosexual communities, but something has changed. Maybe we’ve become more open, or maybe we’ve become more aware. Or maybe we’ve become both?

So, what does bisexual mean?

The answer: that you’re sexually or romantically attracted to both males and females. Not necessarily in equal amounts and not necessarily favouring one over the other, but to be bisexual is defined by having an attraction to both genders.

There is some contention about being bisexual because some camps define bisexual as when a person isn’t clear about, or ready to admit, they’re homosexual. If you sleep with people of the same sex – even sometimes – doesn’t that make you gay?

According to a Williams Institute study, approximately 2.2% of women identify as bisexual (compared to 1.1% who identify as lesbian) and 1.4% of men identify as bisexual (compared to 2.2% who identify as gay). The fact is, people who are attracted to both sexes are neither straight nor gay. Bisexual is really a ‘thing’. It’s a bit like there are people who eat pizza but not pasta and then there are others who like both.

Bisexual.org says “Many monosexual people (straight, gay, and lesbian) find bisexuality confusing.” The reason being, bisexuality redefines the boundaries by not limiting them. “Straight, gay, and lesbian sexuality divides humanity into two categories – two biological sexes, one of which is potentially attractive to the person, and one of which is not.” Bisexuality, which is considered one of the four main sexual identities: gay, straight, asexual and bisexual, blows the binary outlook of sexuality out of the water.

bisexual
Getty

The term bisexual has been used in modern language since 1850 when it was coined by American neurologist Charles Gilbert Chaddock so it’s certainly nothing new. Today though, bisexuality is often described as a fluid form of sexual identity as it can take many forms and potentially change over time.

Dr Michael Aaron, Certified Sex Therapist and author of Modern Sexuality says “I don't think it's so much that we are becoming more sexually fluid, but that people feel more social freedom to experiment. For example, only 66% percent of individuals in Gen Z describe themselves as "exclusively heterosexual" while another study found that 43% of millennials identify as sexually fluid.”

Bisexual.org has many real-life examples of people who identify as bisexual and what that means to them. “I truly do not feel a preference to one gender over the other,” says Molly.

“I am more attracted to women than men. And yet, I ended up marrying the only man I ever fell in love with, because he reciprocated my feelings and the women that I cared for didn't,” says Amarin.

The truth is, bisexuality is particular to each individual.

gay bisexual flag

The bisexual pride flag was designed by Michael Page in 1998 and is made up of blue (straight), pink (gay) and purple (bi). The purple section is a combination of blue and pink and represents the overlap of gay and straight.

Unsplash

Are we all bisexual?

If more than half of us identify as having some same-sex attraction, could it be that we are all bisexual to a degree? The jury is still out on that one. Aaron says today’s fluidity is less about us all being bisexual and more likely down to the fact we have more social freedom.

He says, “Kinsey created a scale from 0-6, in which 0 is exclusively heterosexual, while 6 is exclusively homosexual. I'm not sure things are so cut and dry, but other factors play a role, especially personality traits such as openness to new experiences.”

“People who are more open are more willing to take chances and try new things, so they may very well experiment with sexual fluidity, although they are primarily interested in one gender. Some people are less open and curious, so they are closed off to experimentation.” Aaron claims “You cannot separate sexual behaviour from personality.”

Kristen Stewart, who famously left Robert Pattinson then dated a string of women, agrees. Stewart, who is set to direct the bisexual tale The Chronology of Water told The Guardian, “The whole issue of sexuality is so grey. I’m just trying to acknowledge that fluidity, that greyness, which has always existed. But maybe only now are we allowed to start talking about it.”

kriste stewart

Kristen Stewart

Getty

Rather than shedding light, studies on bisexuality seem to throw even more shades of grey into the mix. A report published in the PLos One Journal found that in response to watching erotic male or female stimuli, the pupil dilation in bisexual men correlated more closely to that of heterosexual women.

In other words, women who identify as straight were equally as turned on by watching male-to-female or female-to-female porn. Among men, however, the most substantial pupil dilation to both sexes was with bisexual-identified men.

Pansexual vs Bisexual

So what is the difference between bisexual and pansexual? ‘Pan’ is defined as being more fluid than ‘bi’; which many people who neither identify as straight, gay or bi say more fully defines them, because it takes more of a ‘gender neutral’ approach. It’s less about the gender and more about the person.

As Miley Cyrus told Variety, “My whole life, I didn't understand my own gender and my own sexuality. I always hated the word 'bisexual,' because that's even putting me in a box. I don't ever think about someone being a boy or someone being a girl.”

When you peel back the layers, identifying your sexuality is a personal journey. And it can change. The morphing is part of what’s seen as the complexity of bisexuality. However, it’s not that people who are bisexual are confused, it’s more that our language around it has been. But thankfully, that’s changing.

liamhemsworth View Profile
2.4m likes - View Post on Instagram
#spicy

Are you bisexual or just bi-curious?

Wondering whether you might be bisexual? Take this quiz to find out

Am I Bisexual, Bi-Curious, Straight Or A Lesbian?

Bisexual celebrities? 

Harry Styles - TRUE (probably)

“The boys and the girls are here. I mess around with them. And I’m okay with it.” Lyrics from Styles’ song Medicine.

harrystyles View Profile
2.1m likes - View Post on Instagram
Mexico City Two, Live On Tour.

Channing Tatum -TRUE

Channing may be bisexual in the attraction sense but whether or not he’s had sexual or romantic relations with a man is not confirmed.

But he did say this in a tweet: “Sometimes while I’m on set I wonder how big my co-workers dicks are. I still love women but I can’t deny I like men too strong and sweaty.”

bisexual

Tom Hardy - FALSE

When asked by Attitude magazine in 2010 if he’d ever had any sexual relations with a man Hardy said, “As a boy? Of course I have. I'm an actor for f***’s sake. I'm an artist. I've played with everything and everyone. But I'm not into men sexually.”

tomhardy View Profile
225.5k likes - View Post on Instagram
Wrapped. Life back. Bye 👋

Katy Perry - TRUE

“I speak my truths and I paint my fantasies into these little bite-sized pop songs,” Katy said as she accepted a National Equality Award at the Human Rights Campaign Gala in 2017.

“For instance; I Kissed a Girl – and I liked it. Truth be told I did more than that.”

katyperry View Profile
680.8k likes - View Post on Instagram
What's the difference between a piano and a fish? You can't tuna-fish 🤷🏼‍♂️

Vin Diesel - UNCOMFIRMED

The actor told Details about his reaction to being asked by a fan if he plays for the other team. “I’m not going to put it out there on a magazine cover like some other actors.”

vindiesel View Profile
1.3m likes - View Post on Instagram
Table Mountain... what a beautiful Country... All love.
Hannah Hempenstall
Hannah Hempenstall
Hannah Hempenstall is a writer, life coach and meditation practitioner based in the Byron Shire. She loves the art of storytelling and is obsessed with understanding human behaviour.

Subscribe to Who + bonus Young Living gift-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who + bonus Young Living gift

Subscribe to Who + bonus Young Living gift-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who + bonus Young Living gift

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Kristen Stewart – "I'm So Gay"

Kristen Stewart – "I'm So Gay"

What's your Sexual Orientation?

What's your Sexual Orientation?

Neighbours star Mavournee Hazel confirms she's attracted to both genders

Neighbours star Mavournee Hazel confirms she's attracted to both genders

Former Bachelor star Heather Maltman reveals she's been in same-sex relationships before

Former Bachelor star Heather Maltman reveals she's been in same-sex relationships before

{headline}

{headline}

Miranda Kerr suffers another tragic loss

Miranda Kerr suffers another tragic loss

Brooke Blurton spills why the Honey Badger blocked her

Brooke Blurton spills why the Honey Badger blocked her

MAFS expert's surprising new UK gig

MAFS expert's surprising new UK gig

{headline}

{headline}

What REALLY happened in Mike Munro’s interview with Britney Spears

What REALLY happened in Mike Munro’s interview with Britney Spears

EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Sebastians' intriguing family dynamics

EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Sebastians' intriguing family dynamics

The REAL reason Dr Trisha Stratford quit  MAFS

The REAL reason Dr Trisha Stratford quit MAFS

REVEALED: All the celebs joining Dancing With The Stars: All Stars

REVEALED: All the celebs joining Dancing With The Stars: All Stars

How to read WHO stories online following Facebook ban

How to read WHO stories online following Facebook ban

EXCLUSIVE: Could Alyson Hannigan be coming to Australia?

EXCLUSIVE: Could Alyson Hannigan be coming to Australia?

Ouch! Miley Cyrus takes savage swipe at ex

Ouch! Miley Cyrus takes savage swipe at ex

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Who + bonus Young Living gift-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Who + bonus Young Living gift