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    Bisexual: Difference between revisions

    Content added Content deleted
    m (I changed some wording to make it more accurate to the majority instead of catering to the minority in a queerphobic manner. Some of the wording was EXTREMELY harmful to nonbinary, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, omnisexual and other multisexual people.)
    (Undo revision 111629 by Liiandriaguardian (talk))
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    {{Sexuality Info|image1 = Biflag.png|gender(s): = Any|gender(s)_attracted_to: = Two or more (any)|title1=|caption1=The bisexual flag}}


    {{Sexuality Info|image1 = Biflag.png|gender(s): = Any|gender(s)_attracted_to: = Two|title1=|caption1=The bisexual flag}}
    [[File:Alternative bi flag made by @adhdreki on Twitter.png|thumb|Alternative bi flag made by @adhdreki on Twitter]]
    [[File:Alternative bi flag made by @adhdreki on Twitter.png|thumb|Alternative bi flag made by @adhdreki on Twitter]]
    [[File:Alternative bi flag made by @Smatterbrain on Twitter.png|thumb|Alternative bi flag made by @Smatterbrain on Twitter]]
    [[File:Alternative bi flag made by @Smatterbrain on Twitter.png|thumb|Alternative bi flag made by @Smatterbrain on Twitter]]
    [[File:Alternative bi flag made by ma an me kinda bored on Reddit.png|thumb|Alternative bi flag made by ma_an_me_kinda_bored on Reddit]]
    [[File:Alternative bi flag made by ma an me kinda bored on Reddit.png|thumb|Alternative bi flag made by ma_an_me_kinda_bored on Reddit]]
    '''Bisexual '''(often shortened to '''Bi''') refers to someone who is [[Sexual Attraction|attracted]] to two genders. It is also sometimes defined as the attraction to genders both the same as and different to one's own. This does not necessarily refer to one only being attracted to [[Man|men]] and [[Woman|women]], as some think: the bisexual community has an extensive history of challenging the [[Binary Genders|gender binary,]] and bisexual activists have been outspoken about this fact.
    '''Bisexual '''(often shortened to '''Bi''') refers to someone who is [[Sexual Attraction|attracted]] to two or more genders. It is also sometimes defined as the attraction to genders both the same as and different to one's own. This does not necessarily refer to one only being attracted to [[Man|men]] and [[Woman|women]], as some think: the bisexual community has an extensive history of challenging the [[Binary Genders|gender binary,]] and bisexual activists have been outspoken about this fact.


    Bisexuality encompasses a wide spectrum of attraction. A bisexual person may be attracted to any genders in a combination (including [[Non-Binary|non-binary]] genders). Bisexual people may or may not have a preference and may or may not feel a difference between their attraction to different genders.
    Bisexuality encompasses a wide spectrum of attraction. A bisexual person may be attracted to any number of genders, from two to all, and may be attracted to any genders in any combination (including [[Non-Binary|non-binary]] genders). Bisexual people may or may not have a preference and may or may not feel a difference between their attraction to different genders.


    Bisexuality can be similar to [[Pansexual|pansexuality]] and other [[Multisexual|multisexual identities]]. This does not mean that they are the same. Each sexuality has its own definitions and should be treated as such.
    Bisexuality can be similar to [[Pansexual|pansexuality]] and other [[Multisexual|multisexual identities]]. The differences between these identities usually comes down to individual preference, particularly where people may feel that different terms communicate their personal experience of attraction with more accuracy. Each bisexual individual may choose to define their attraction slightly differently.


    The romantic counterpart is [[biromantic]].
    The romantic counterpart is [[biromantic]].
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    === Ancient history ===
    === Ancient history ===
    [[File:Bisexual.svg|alt=Interlocking infinity gender symbols, used as a bisexual symbol|thumb|The bisexual symbol]]
    [[File:Bisexual.svg|alt=Interlocking infinity gender symbols, used as a bisexual symbol|thumb|The bisexual symbol]]
    Ancient Greek religious texts, which reflected cultural practices, had multisexual themes throughout. Pansexuality, polysexuality, omnisexuality, bisexuality, etc. were all widely documented. Ancient Greece is generally considered to have been largely accepting of LGBTA people, albeit with different standards of morality. Same sex relationships between boys and men were common and considered a part of life and learning, although it was expected that men would have relationships with women to procreate as they grew older. Relationships outside of the binary were also common, gender being a spectrum at that point in time.
    Ancient Greek religious texts, which reflected cultural practices, had bisexual themes throughout. Ancient Greece is generally considered to have been largely accepting of LGBTA people, albeit with different standards of morality. Same sex relationships between boys and men were common and considered a part of life and learning, although it was expected that men would have relationships with women to procreate as they grew older.


    In Ancient China and Japan, homosexuality and bisexuality was also documented, both men who had sex with men, and women who had sex with women. There were even ancient Japanese art prints, called ''shunga, ''which depicted homosexual relationships in full detail. Ancient China had similar artwork, which even at times depicted polyamory.
    In Ancient China and Japan, homosexuality and bisexuality was also documented, both men who had sex with men, and women who had sex with women. There were even ancient Japanese art prints, called ''shunga, ''which depicted homosexual relationships in full detail. Ancient China had similar artwork, which even at times depicted polyamory.
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    The first English-language use of the word bisexual referring to sexual orientation was by the American neurologist Charles Gilbert Chaddock in his 1892 translation of ''Psychopathia Sexualis, ''a seminal work created by Krafft-Ebing. ''Psychopathia Sexualis'' concerned itself with the pathologisation of sexuality and considered homosexuality a mental illness; 'bisexual' therefore referred to people who were both heterosexual ''and'' homosexual (hence 'bi'). Prior to this, the word "bisexual" was used in reference to plants, suggesting that species were hermaphroditic or [[intersex]]'''. '''
    The first English-language use of the word bisexual referring to sexual orientation was by the American neurologist Charles Gilbert Chaddock in his 1892 translation of ''Psychopathia Sexualis, ''a seminal work created by Krafft-Ebing. ''Psychopathia Sexualis'' concerned itself with the pathologisation of sexuality and considered homosexuality a mental illness; 'bisexual' therefore referred to people who were both heterosexual ''and'' homosexual (hence 'bi'). Prior to this, the word "bisexual" was used in reference to plants, suggesting that species were hermaphroditic or [[intersex]]'''. '''
    ===Openly bisexual people in early history===
    ===Openly bisexual people in early history===
    The first openly bisexual people in history were rare in early American life. Some examples of this include poet Walt Whitman, who has been described as bisexual, pansexual and homosexual in his feelings and attractions. In the early 20th century, during the Harlem Renaissance, blues singers Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith made no secret about their relationships with men and women. Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay was also openly bisexual.
    The first openly bisexual people in history were rare in early American life. Some examples of this include poet Walt Whitman, who has been described as both bisexual and homosexual in his feelings and attractions. In the early 20th century, during the Harlem Renaissance, blues singers Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith made no secret about their relationships with men and women. Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay was also openly bisexual.
    ===Kinsey scale===
    ===Kinsey scale===
    In 1948, Alfred C. Kinsey, an American biologist who was also bisexual, published two books on the topic of human sexuality, named ''Sexual Behavior in the Human Male ''and ''Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. ''He formulated a scale, which went from 0-6 respectively (0 being exclusively heterosexual and 6 being exclusively homosexual)to demonstrate varying bisexual responses for people who aligned themselves on the scale. Kinsey also said that anyone who was between 1-5 on the scale to be considered bisexual or [[ambisexual]] specifically.
    In 1948, Alfred C. Kinsey, an American biologist who was also bisexual, published two books on the topic of human sexuality, named ''Sexual Behavior in the Human Male ''and ''Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. ''He formulated a scale, which went from 0-6 respectively (0 being exclusively heterosexual and 6 being exclusively homosexual)to demonstrate varying bisexual responses for people who aligned themselves on the scale. Kinsey also said that anyone who was between 1-5 on the scale to be considered bisexual or [[ambisexual]] specifically.
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    Biphobia and bi erasure (the practice of obscuring or denying a bisexual person's orientation in favour of portraying them as either gay/lesbian or straight) remain common, and despite efforts from bisexual activists the cisheteronormative perception of the gender binary continues to affect how bisexuals are perceived, in particular attempting to enforce the gender binary on the sexuality despite its defiance of the concept. Bisexual visibility and awareness have, however, been increasing in recent years.
    Biphobia and bi erasure (the practice of obscuring or denying a bisexual person's orientation in favour of portraying them as either gay/lesbian or straight) remain common, and despite efforts from bisexual activists the cisheteronormative perception of the gender binary continues to affect how bisexuals are perceived, in particular attempting to enforce the gender binary on the sexuality despite its defiance of the concept. Bisexual visibility and awareness have, however, been increasing in recent years.
    ==Etymology==
    ==Etymology==
    The Greek prefix ''bi-'' means "two", referring to the initial usage of the term to mean "both" heterosexual and homosexual. The ''bi-'' prefix is sometimes reinterpreted to refer to "two genders", as bisexual people are attracted to two genders.
    The Greek prefix ''bi-'' means "two", referring to the initial usage of the term to mean "both" heterosexual and homosexual. The ''bi-'' prefix is sometimes reinterpreted to refer to "two genders", as bisexual people are attracted to two or more genders.
    ==Resources==
    ==Resources==
    ''<nowiki/>''
    ''<nowiki/>''
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