The term "bisexual" refers to individuals who have emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions towards men and women. This is distinct from being gay or lesbian which means being attracted exclusively to members of one's own gender. Bisexuals may be attracted to both genders equally or more strongly than either one. Some bisexuals feel they can fall in love with people regardless of their gender identity while others prefer to date within one particular gender.
One common assumption about bisexuals is that they are confused about their sexual orientation.
Research suggests that bisexual individuals know their own sexuality just like heterosexuals do. According to studies, bisexuals tend to identify themselves early on and are unlikely to change their orientation later in life. This challenges the idea that coherence, singularity, and fixity are necessary for ethics or metaphysics.
Another issue is that bisexuals face stigma and discrimination from both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities. Heterosexuals often view bisexuality as being unstable, while some homosexuals see it as an obstacle to achieving equality. Such attitudes problematize assumptions about stability and consistency.
If a person changes their mind about their sexual orientation, does this mean they should lose rights? If someone identifies as bisexual but marries a same-sex partner, how should society categorize them? These questions call into question the need for rigid categories.
Bisexual perspectives also challenge the notion of monogamy. Monogamy requires exclusive intimacy between two partners, yet many bisexuals engage in polyamory or non-monogamy relationships. Polyamory allows multiple romantic relationships simultaneously without jealousy or infidelity. Bisexuals may have two male or female partners at once or form a triad with one of each gender. This challenges the assumption that sex and love must be restricted to only one partner.
Bisexual perspectives show us that coherence, singularity, and fixity are not always necessary. Sexual identity can evolve over time, and love can exist outside of traditional norms. By embracing these views, we can create a more diverse and inclusive world where all people feel free to express themselves authentically.
How do bisexual perspectives problematize assumptions that coherence, singularity, and fixity are ethically or metaphysically necessary?
Several theories of sexual orientation challenge assumptions about coherence, singularity, and fixity by proposing that individuals' sexual orientations can change over time, vary across different contexts, and be fluid rather than fixed. Bisexual perspectives specifically emphasize that sexual desire is often multifaceted and complex, with no one particular aspect of identity defining an individual's sexuality.