Bisexuality is an attraction to multiple genders, which has been historically misunderstood and stigmatized in Western society.
There are many cultures that have embraced non-monosexual identities for centuries, such as Polynesian societies where both men and women can marry each other.
The term bisexual was coined in 1892 by Charles Gilbert Chaddock, who defined it as "a psychic condition lying midway between the poles of masculinity and femininity" and characterized by "an erotic interest in both sexes." Bisexuality refers to attraction towards people of different gender identities, including cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary individuals. While some researchers argue that bisexuality is just a stepping stone towards homosexuality or heterosexuality, the lived experience of bisexuals suggests otherwise.
Multiplicity and simultaneous attractions are central concepts in bisexual narratives, which are often depicted through characters who fall in love with two individuals of different genders or who switch from one partner to another. These narratives suggest that bisexuality is not simply a matter of preference but rather a way of being in the world. They challenge the idea of monogamy and monosexism, which assume that romantic relationships must be exclusively hetero- or homosexual.
In her essay "Bi Any Other Name," poet and activist Vivianne Namaste argues that bisexual identity allows for fluidity and flexibility in sexual expression, while also recognizing the unique experiences of bisexual individuals. She writes: "Bisexuality is an orientation, an attraction, a desire, and a state of mind, heart, and body that exists in all persons regardless of their current relationship status, whether monogamously straight or married, serially polyamorous, or anything else in between." Namaste's definition emphasizes the multiplicity of bisexual identity beyond mere attraction and behavior, and offers a nuanced understanding of bisexual eroticism.
Other bisexual writers have explored themes of gender fluidity and the complexities of sexual desires. In his novel "The Color Purple," author Alice Walker created the character Shug Avery, a bisexual blues singer whose attraction to both men and women is presented as natural and unremarkable. Similarly, filmmaker Desiree Akhavan portrays bisexuality in her films "Appropriate Behavior" and "The Miseducation of Cameron Post," showing how bisexual characters navigate society's strict rules on sexuality and gender.
While some criticize bisexual narratives for perpetuating stereotypes about bisexuals being promiscuous and unable to commit, these stories can offer valuable insights into the diversity and complexity of bisexual experience. By challenging traditional ideas of sexuality and gender, they suggest that bisexual identities are not reducible to binary categories but rather encompass a wide range of possibilities. Bisexual narratives illuminate the ontology of multiplicity and the lived experience of simultaneous attractions, offering new ways of thinking about love and desire.
Bisexual narratives provide important insights into the nature of sexuality and gender by presenting non-binary representations of romantic relationships. They challenge monosexism and monogamy while highlighting the unique experiences of bisexual individuals. While there may be biases against bisexual identity in Western culture, these stories offer hope and inspiration for those who identify as bisexual or pansexual.
How do bisexual narratives illuminate the ontology of multiplicity and the lived experience of simultaneous attractions?
The term "bisexual" refers to individuals who are sexually attracted to people of more than one gender, including their own. It is often associated with feelings of fluidity and the ability to be attracted to multiple genders simultaneously, which can lead to unique experiences and perspectives on sexuality and relationships.