We will explore the concept of bisexuality and how it can be understood from an ontological perspective. We will discuss what bisexuality is, the different ways that bisexual people experience their identities, desires, and relationships, and how these experiences are shaped by the ontology of multiplicity. By examining the various dimensions of bisexual identity, desire, and relationship formation, we hope to gain insights into how multiple realities and subjectivities can coexist within one individual's life. The discussion will focus on the interplay between social and personal contexts, cultural norms, and individual perceptions, and how they shape bisexual people's perceptions of themselves and others.
We will consider some implications for understanding bisexuality as a form of multiplicity and suggest further research directions.
Bisexual Identity
Bisexuality refers to the attraction or sexual behavior involving both men and women. It is commonly defined as a sexual orientation where individuals are attracted to people of more than one gender, but not necessarily simultaneously or exclusively.
This definition fails to account for the complexity of bisexual identities and experiences. Some bisexual people may identify as primarily straight or gay, while others may identify as neither male nor female.
Someone who identifies as "queer" or "pansexual" might experience attraction to all genders, regardless of gender labels.
Some people have suggested that bisexuality should be understood as a way of being rather than simply a sexual orientation. This means that bisexuality encompasses a range of identities and practices beyond sexuality, including cultural affiliations, political beliefs, and gender expressions. In this view, bisexuals may identify with multiple genders and sexual orientations at once, creating a complex network of overlapping identities. This ontology of multiplicity suggests that bisexuality cannot be reduced to binary categories of masculine/feminine or homo/heterosexual but instead exists in a spectrum of possibilities.
Desire
The desire of bisexual people is often shaped by their unique identity experiences. Many bisexuals report feeling drawn to certain individuals based on their personality traits, physical appearance, emotional connections, and other factors that go beyond traditional gender roles. They may also find themselves attracted to individuals who do not fit into conventional gender norms or who challenge traditional gender binaries. Bisexual desires can vary widely depending on the individual's personal history, social context, and cultural influences.
For some bisexual people, desire may be fluid and changeable over time. They may feel more attracted to men during one period of their life and more attracted to women during another. Some bisexuals may even switch between same-sex and opposite-sex attractions within a single relationship. This fluidity reflects the complexity of bisexual experience and the ways that it intersects with other aspects of identity such as culture, race, class, and age.
Relational Negotiation
Relational negotiation refers to the process by which bisexuals navigate relationships with others while maintaining their own sense of self. This involves negotiating expectations around monogamy, fidelity, and intimacy with partners. It also includes negotiating public perceptions of bisexuality and addressing stigma and prejudice directed at bisexuals.
Bisexual people often face challenges related to social acceptance, which can affect how they relate to others.
Many bisexual people report experiencing microaggressions from family members, friends, and colleagues who assume they are unstable, promiscuous, or sexually undesirable because of their sexual orientation. This can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, and anxiety that can impact their ability to form healthy relationships.
The ontology of multiplicity offers a powerful framework for understanding bisexual experiences of identity, desire, and relational negotiation. By acknowledging the complexities of bisexual identities and desires, we can create space for diverse expressions of gender and sexuality within our society. This allows us to better understand the intersectional nature of oppression based on multiple dimensions of identity and provides insights into new ways of engaging with each other in more meaningful and inclusive ways.
How does the ontology of multiplicity manifest in bisexual experiences of identity, desire, and relational negotiation?
The term "bisexual" refers to individuals who experience sexual attraction towards people of multiple genders, though it is important to acknowledge that there are many different ways for bisexuals to understand their sexuality. For some bisexuals, it may be fluid and evolving, whereas others might identify as more fixed within this spectrum of attraction. Bisexual identities can also differ according to age, culture, gender expression, and other factors.