Bisexuality is an orientation whereby individuals are attracted to both men and women. While this may seem simple enough, it becomes more complicated when considering how these attractions manifest themselves in different contexts.
Someone who identifies as bisexual may feel equally drawn to their spouse and another person outside their marriage. This could lead to feelings of guilt, confusion, shame, and even betrayal for all parties involved. As such, navigating multiple, sometimes conflicting, relational orientations can be incredibly difficult and emotionally taxing. In this article, I will discuss how bisexuality illuminates the spiritual and ethical complexity of navigating these types of situations.
The first way that bisexuality can illuminate this issue is through its exploration of gender identity. Gender identity refers to one's sense of self as either male, female, non-binary or somewhere in between. Many bisexuals identify as neither exclusively male nor female, but rather as something in between. This can create difficulties when trying to relate to other people, particularly those whose gender identity differs from their own.
If a woman dates a man who identifies as genderqueer, she may struggle with understanding what he sees himself as or how he wants her to address him. This can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication that impact not only their relationship but also their ability to form new ones. Bisexuality sheds light on the ways in which gender identity affects our relationships and the challenges we face in navigating them.
Another way that bisexuality illustrates the complexity of navigating multiple relational orientations is by highlighting sexual fluidity. Sexual fluidity is the idea that one's sexual attraction can change over time. Someone who identifies as bisexual may find themselves attracted to different genders at different points in their lives. This could mean that they are currently involved in a committed same-sex relationship but have previously been in opposite-sex partnerships. Or it might mean that they date someone new every month based on their changing desires. The implication here is that sexual orientation is not static but rather constantly evolving. This concept forces us to reconsider our assumptions about monogamy, fidelity, and commitment. It also requires us to be more open-minded and accepting of others' choices and lifestyles.
Bisexuality shows us the importance of self-acceptance and embracing all aspects of ourselves. Many people struggle with their bisexuality because they feel like it doesn't fit into traditional norms for romantic relationships. They may worry that they will be rejected by family, friends, and potential partners if they come out.
Embracing this part of oneself opens up new possibilities for connection and intimacy. By being honest with ourselves and those around us, we create space for deeper conversations about sexuality, desire, and love. We learn to see ourselves as complex individuals capable of loving multiple people in unique ways. Bisexuality reminds us that there is no one right way to experience sexuality or relationality and encourages us to explore our own paths without judgment or shame.
In what ways can bisexuality illuminate the spiritual and ethical complexity of navigating multiple, sometimes conflicting, relational orientations?
Bisexuality is characterized by having romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction toward people of two or more genders simultaneously (Burks & Cohen-Filipic, 2014). This means that bisexual individuals may have relationships with people from different gender identities at the same time or switch between them.