Let's define what "bisexual" means. Bisexual is an umbrella term for individuals who are attracted to more than one gender but may have different degrees of attraction to each.
Some people may be equally attracted to both males and females while others may be more attracted to one gender than the other. This fluidity in attraction can also extend beyond traditional binary genders, such as those who identify as transgender, nonbinary, or agender.
This definition does not fully capture the complexity of bisexual identity nor the nuances within it. One way to understand bisexuality is through its relationship to multiplicity. Multiplicity refers to the ability to hold multiple identities simultaneously without seeking final resolution or choosing between them. In this sense, bisexuality reflects the human capacity to live with multiplicity in that it allows individuals to embrace their own unique desires and attractions rather than limiting themselves to just one label.
This understanding of bisexuality challenges the notion that sexual orientation is fixed and unchanging. It suggests that sexuality is dynamic and can shift over time, depending on various factors such as personal growth, experiences, and context. As a result, bisexual individuals do not necessarily see their sexual identity as static but rather as something that evolves along with them.
Bisexuality reveals the potential for intimacy and eroticism outside of binaries. By being open to relationships with persons of all genders, bisexuals can explore a wider range of possibilities for intimate connections and experiences. This opens up new opportunities for exploring and expressing desire, pleasure, and love in ways that go beyond traditional norms.
Bisexuality highlights the importance of embracing diversity and recognizing that sexuality is complex and fluid. Instead of seeking resolution or categorization, bisexuals revel in the multiplicity of their identity, celebrating its richness and uniqueness.
How might bisexual identity reveal the human capacity to live with multiplicity without seeking final resolution?
Bisexuality can be understood as a way of living that does not necessarily require a "final resolution" of one's sexual orientation but rather embraces the complexity of human desire, attraction, and connection. It implies an openness to different kinds of relationships and experiences that may change over time and involve different levels of intimacy, commitment, and exclusivity. Bisexual people may have multiple partners or forms of partnerships at once, while still feeling deeply connected to them all.