Bisexual: Definition, History, and Common Misconceptions

Definition and core concepts

Bisexual describes a pattern of romantic and/or sexual attraction to more than one gender. This may include attraction to people of one’s own gender and other genders, or to multiple genders without specifying equal attraction. Bisexuality is an evolving identity shaped by personal experience, culture, and context, and it exists across a spectrum rather than as a single fixed point. For many people it is a lasting, stable orientation; for others it may change over time.

Historical background

Attitudes toward bisexuality have shifted across time and place. Some early sexologists and twentieth-century researchers treated bisexuality as a normal variant of human sexuality, while pathologizing frameworks in psychiatry and psychology pathologized non-heterosexual attraction for much of the twentieth century. Since the early 1990s, many professional organizations have moved away from pathologizing non-heterosexual identities, and bisexual communities have built visibility, advocacy, and resources in many countries. Historical records show same-sex and multiple-gender relationships in diverse cultures worldwide, though modern identity labels like bisexual emerged alongside evolving understandings of gender and sexuality.

Bisexual identity and community

Community structures and resources

Bisexual communities exist both within broader LGBTQ+ organizations and in independent groups that focus specifically on bi+ identities, experiences, and needs. Community spaces include local meetups, online forums, activist groups, and cultural events that highlight bisexual history, reduce stigma, and support connection. Many people find it meaningful to engage with communities that explicitly name bisexuality, while others may identify primarily with broader queer or LGBTQ+ spaces.

Research and prevalence

Studies of sexual behavior and identity consistently find that bisexuality is more common than exclusive homosexuality or lesbianism alone, though exact prevalence estimates vary by methodology, definitions, and population sampled. Younger generations in many countries are more likely to report bisexuality, reflecting reduced stigma and broader options for describing one’s attractions. Research generally supports that bisexual orientation involves stable patterns of attraction for many people, while some individuals experience fluidity or change over their lifetimes.

Common misconceptions and erasure

• Myth: Bisexuality is inherently confused or a transitional phase to being gay or lesbian. Evidence shows that bisexuality is a stable identity for many people, while experiences of change or fluidity are individual, not universal.
• Myth: Bisexual people are equally attracted to all genders or must have dated the same number of men and women. In practice, attractions vary widely among bi+ individuals and do not imply proportional interest.
• Myth: Bisexuality is just a stage before identifying as gay or lesbian. For some this may occur, but many people identify as bisexual across their adult lives and find this orientation affirming and enduring.
• Bi-erasure: This includes denying that bisexuality exists, assuming people must choose a side, or ignoring bisexual identities in data, media, and policy.

Everyday considerations and relationships

Bi+ people navigate relationships in diverse ways, and there is no single script for disclosure, dating, or partnership. Some feel fully accepted in relationships, while others encounter biphobia from both heterosexual and gay/lesbian communities, including questions about faithfulness, confusion, or demands to choose a side. Open communication, clear consent practices, and challenging stereotypes are important in all relationships. Supportive networks, affirming communities, and inclusive healthcare can improve well-being for bi+ people and their families.

Key facts at a glance