Bisexuality is a sexual orientation where a person experiences attraction to both men and women. This term has been used since at least 1924, but was popularized by psychologist Alfred Kinsey's research in 1948 which indicated that one out of ten people identified as bisexual. There are several types of bisexuals, including homoflexible, heteroflexible, fluid, pansexual, and omnisexual. While bisexuals can be attracted to transgender and intersex individuals, they may identify as gay or straight depending on their romantic, emotional, and physical attractions. Bisexuality is often stigmatized and stereotyped, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and suicide.
It also offers unique freedoms in terms of relationships, intimacy, pleasure, and identity.
Freedom is defined as the ability to make choices without external constraint, to act according to one's own desires, and to live independently from others. It requires an understanding of oneself, other people, and society. Freedom is both individual and relational, personal and political, private and public. In this way, it involves responsibility towards oneself, others, and the world. The concept of freedom has been explored by philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre, Foucault, Deleuze, and Butler.
Bisexuality expands philosophical concepts of freedom because it allows for greater personal expression and choice, while simultaneously creating new responsibilities and obligations.
Bisexuals may have more opportunities to explore eroticism with multiple partners, but must navigate complex social expectations around monogamy, fidelity, exclusivity, and jealousy. Bisexuals must also grapple with heteronormativity, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, misogyny, sexism, and racism that can limit their options or cause harm.
Bisexuals often face difficulties finding romantic or sexual partners who understand their sexual orientation, which can lead to isolation, loneliness, and frustration. They may need to explain themselves to family, friends, colleagues, and healthcare providers, risking rejection and discrimination.
They may also be empowered by discovering their true identity, challenging normative ideas about gender and sexuality, and expanding our collective imagination of what love and intimacy can look like.
Bisexuality offers both liberating possibilities and significant responsibilities in terms of relationships, identity, power, and politics. It is a complex and nuanced topic that deserves continued attention from philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, political scientists, and activists alike.
How does bisexuality expand philosophical concepts of freedom as both liberation and responsibility?
According to philosophers such as Michel Foucault, freedom is not simply an individualistic act but rather a social construct that can be understood within various power relations. Bisexuality challenges traditional binaries between heterosexuality and homosexuality, leading people to explore their sexual desires beyond these categories. This means that bi+ individuals have more autonomy to define themselves outside of established norms and expectations.