In the past, the psychological community ignored bisexuality because it was assumed that bisexuality didn’t exist. Other approaches included considering it to be deviant behavior or a phase that soon passes. Bisexuality’s low profile in society means that many misconceptions have been allowed to flourish. Common myths include:
- Bisexuals just can’t decide - Western concepts of sexuality rely on opposites (man or woman, straight or gay), and bisexuality doesn’t fit neatly. This is one of the main reasons why bisexuality is often so difficult for other people to understand.
- Bisexuals like to look androgynous - sexual orientation and the way a person looks, behaves and dresses are different things.
- Bisexuals are promiscuous - the range of relationship styles varies as it does in straight and gay communities. Some bisexuals are in committed relationships; some are serial monogamists or in open relationships or in relationships with more than one partner; and some prefer casual relationships or celibacy, with every variation in between.
- Bisexuals have raging libidos - it is sometimes assumed that a ravenous appetite for sex is what leads a person to bisexual behavior. This isn’t true. The libido of bisexuals is the same as the libido of anyone else in the community, which ranges from not wanting sex at all to wanting it often, with every variation in between.
- Bisexuals spread AIDS - the commonly cited scenarios include the married man who has gay affairs, and the woman who has affairs with men while in a lesbian relationship. It is unsafe sex, not bisexuality that spreads AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Discrimination and prejudice
Bisexual people can experience discrimination from both straight and gay communities. For example, heterosexuals may assume the bisexual is straight but just ‘experimenting’ with gay sex, while homosexuals may assume the person is gay but still having heterosexual relationships because they are afraid of ‘coming out’ or accepting their gay sexual orientation.
The person who is bisexual can feel social pressure to choose which gender they prefer. Studies suggest that close to one third of sexually active people have engaged in bisexual behavior at some time. However, social commentators believe the actual figure may be much higher. Some people may be hesitant to admit to gay or bisexual feelings or experiences because of fear of prejudice from family, friends and the wider community.
In the past, the psychological community ignored bisexuality because it was assumed that bisexuality didn’t exist. Other approaches included considering it to be deviant behavior or a phase that soon passes. Bisexuality’s low profile in society means that many misconceptions have been allowed to flourish. Common myths include:
- Bisexuals just can’t decide - Western concepts of sexuality rely on opposites (man or woman, straight or gay), and bisexuality doesn’t fit neatly. This is one of the main reasons why bisexuality is often so difficult for other people to understand.
- Bisexuals like to look androgynous - sexual orientation and the way a person looks, behaves and dresses are different things.
- Bisexuals are promiscuous - the range of relationship styles varies as it does in straight and gay communities. Some bisexuals are in committed relationships; some are serial monogamists or in open relationships or in relationships with more than one partner; and some prefer casual relationships or celibacy, with every variation in between.
- Bisexuals have raging libidos - it is sometimes assumed that a ravenous appetite for sex is what leads a person to bisexual behavior. This isn’t true. The libido of bisexuals is the same as the libido of anyone else in the community, which ranges from not wanting sex at all to wanting it often, with every variation in between.
- Bisexuals spread AIDS - the commonly cited scenarios include the married man who has gay affairs, and the woman who has affairs with men while in a lesbian relationship. It is unsafe sex, not bisexuality that spreads AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Discrimination and prejudice
Bisexual people can experience discrimination from both straight and gay communities. For example, heterosexuals may assume the bisexual is straight but just ‘experimenting’ with gay sex, while homosexuals may assume the person is gay but still having heterosexual relationships because they are afraid of ‘coming out’ or accepting their gay sexual orientation.
The person who is bisexual can feel social pressure to choose which gender they prefer. Studies suggest that close to one third of sexually active people have engaged in bisexual behavior at some time. However, social commentators believe the actual figure may be much higher. Some people may be hesitant to admit to gay or bisexual feelings or experiences because of fear of prejudice from family, friends and the wider community.