Bisexual experiences are those that involve individuals who identify as attracted to both men and women, and their representation has been historically underrepresented within dominant social norms. The term "bisexual" was coined in the 1960s, but it was not until recently that these experiences have gained visibility and recognition as valid forms of selfhood. In this article, I will explore how bisexual experiences expand contemporary definitions of selfhood beyond binary and linear frameworks, drawing from psychological theories on identity formation and sociocultural debates around queer and non-binary identities.
I will define bisexuality as a form of attraction towards multiple genders, including cisgender and transgender individuals. Bisexuals may experience attractions across a continuum, varying in intensity and frequency, and may be attracted to people regardless of gender presentation or expression. This definition differs from the traditional view of sexual orientation, which is based on an either/or binary model of heterosexuality versus homosexuality.
Some research suggests that bisexuality can also encompass other identities, such as pansexuality, polysexuality, and omnisexuality, which challenge binaries between masculinity and femininity, sex and gender, and monogamy and non-monogamy.
Bisexual experiences challenge conventional ideas about selfhood by challenging the idea that one's identity is fixed and stable. Psychologists argue that identity development involves a process of exploration, negotiation, and integration, where individuals navigate competing forces of family, community, culture, and personal desires (Hill, 2004). For bisexuals, this process may involve experimentation with different relationships, sexual partnerships, and gender expressions, leading to a fluid and dynamic sense of self. This contrasts with the rigidity of binary categories, which prescribe narrow definitions of what it means to be male or female, gay or straight.
Bisexual experiences suggest that sexual desire is not confined to one gender but rather extends beyond it. The erotic potential of attraction is often linked to emotional connection and intimacy, as opposed to physical characteristics like body type or genitalia. Bisexuals may experience attractions that are not restricted to two genders, expanding the scope of sexual possibilities and resisting narrow categorizations of sexual desirability.
Bisexual experiences disrupt linear narratives of sexual development by suggesting that sexual identity is complex and multifaceted. Rather than seeing sexual orientation as a single factor, researchers suggest that multiple factors such as childhood experiences, cultural norms, and social networks shape an individual's sexual identity (Diamond, 2008). This perspective emphasizes the interplay between biological, psychological, and environmental influences on sexual behavior, challenging assumptions about biological determinism and innate dispositions towards homo- or heterosexuality.
Bisexual experiences challenge traditional ideas about sexuality, identity, and selfhood by rejecting binaries, expanding possibilities for personal expression, and highlighting the complexities of human sexuality. By recognizing bisexual identities and experiences, we can move away from simplistic conceptions of sex and gender and embrace more nuanced understandings of who we are as individuals and communities.
How do bisexual experiences expand contemporary definitions of selfhood beyond binary and linear frameworks?
In contemporary society, there are increasing numbers of people who identify themselves as bisexual, challenging the traditional view of sexuality that is based on a binary framework of either being heterosexual or homosexual. This new definition of selfhood expands our understanding of gender and identity by including the possibility of attraction to multiple genders simultaneously. It also questions the assumption that sexual orientation is fixed and stable, suggesting that it can be fluid and changeable over time.