I agree with the thought that people, in general, would be more open to same-sex experiences if it were more culturally accepted. I don’t agree that all people are innately bisexual, but that’s why the Kinsey scale is so handy, because I feel like sexuality runs on a gradient. This means that while there are varying degrees of openness, some people experience zero attraction whatsoever to the opposite of their sexual orientation. My best friend is a perfect example – he’s gay (a 6 on the Kinsey scale) and over the years, it’s become very apparent to me that he really, honestly doesn’t grasp the subtleties of attractiveness in women.
I think bisexuals are hard to pin down, in terms of definitions. You have your people who have never been with someone of their gender, yet identify as bisexual. You have people who are predominantly hetero/homo who might engage in sex with the opposite of their preferred gender. You have people who are attracted to men and women equally. You have people who only date and get emotionally invested in one gender, but who are sexually (and not emotionally) attracted to the other gender.
Technically, I suppose, all of these people are bisexual, but the word ‘bisexual’ is so much more vague than the term ‘hetero’ or ‘homo’, and this is the reason I think bi people get so much shit. People are far more comfortable when they can pin you down and slap on a label because it gives them the impression that they have figured you out. It’s much harder to do with people who are bi because even people in the GLBTQ community don’t really have a firm idea of what it means.
I think someone who has not actually been with someone of the same gender is bi-curious. This feels a bit hypocritical to me because when people say to a gay person, ‘Well, how do you know you’re not straight if you’ve never slept with the opposite sex?’ we always go, Dude. You just know who you’re attracted to. Right? It’s just a bit different to me when it comes to bisexuality, I guess because there is a population of people who call themselves bi in order to turn on their boyfriend, because it’s different, they think it’s cool, who knows.. really, I’m just guessing here. That kind of person has no intention whatsoever of acting on any kind of attractions they might have. They live a hetero life, maybe they’re not even connected to the gay community at all. So, bi-curious (at least until they begin to explore, get involved in the community, etc.).
Some folks are attracted to both men and women, some with a slight or definite preference for one or the other. I know a few bi girls that have told me they feel equally attracted to both men and women (that it’s less about gender and more about the person), have dated and slept with both, and can be both emotionally and sexually attracted to both genders. I have a hard time understanding why, given the choice, everyone doesn’t date women, but I believe these girls when they say they have no preference one way or another.
Then, there are people like me, who are very emotionally and sexually attracted to the same gender but with less frequency, might hook up with opposite gender people. Technically, I’m bisexual, but I identify as gay, considering that there’s nothing going on for me emotionally toward guys. I’m a very open-minded person and you know, maybe I will meet a guy one day that just blow me away and I’ll end up getting married, but I highly, highly, HIGHLY doubt it. The spark, that ‘wow’ feeling, it’s just not there for me. What my heart wants is a woman. Not to mention, in terms of who I am, I feel much closer to the lesbian/gay culture and community than any others.
I don’t really understand the question Do you think bisexuality exists? Bisexuality is pretty evident to me and I have no doubt that it exists.
This doesn’t really cover everything, but it’s long enough as it is, so I’ll stop here.
I know I have used the words ‘gender’ and ‘sex’ fairly interchangeably here. I do know the difference. I considered putting a finer point on it, but sexuality and who you’re attracted to encompasses so many different factors, not to mention all the different types of people and how they personally identify. So, in my mind, I’m including everyone. Please don’t skewer me.