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Add to FavoritesBy definition, bisexuals are attracted to both sexes, men and women, and engage in both heterosexual and homosexual behavior. The prefix BI- means two or both, which is appropriate and understandable. However, in the case of bisexuality, it takes no significance nor does it hold any truth - because it is connected to homosexuality. Therefore, bisexuals should be considered homosexuals because that is what they are.
It makes absolutely no sense to separate bisexuality from homosexuality when both terminologies are semi-similar, especially when those of both groups engage in like behaviors. Just because bisexuals take part in meeting their sexual needs in various ways with both sexes does not mean it negates their homosexual disposition. It simply means that they are using their bisexuality as a way to allow exploration of their nature of homosexuality. Others may argue otherwise, but the facts cannot be denied; e.g., sleeping with the same sex (and having attraction for the same sex) is a common denominator which defines both.
Supporters of bisexuality have disputed and raised many arguments on why bisexuals are not homosexuals. One argument they present is this: bisexuals are not homosexuals because some inhabit most of their sexual time with the opposite sex and partake in homosexual behavior occasionally. Indeed, this bisexual practice may be true, but what is not true is their sexual orientation. In reality, if this defense is true, it means that bisexuals can partake in homosexual activities and not be considered such, because their bisexuality overshadows their same-sex relationships. This argument is conflicting - weak at best - and contradictory.
Take, for example, a man who has been in a long-term marriage, and during his marriage he finds sexual pleasure (monthly) in the comfort of a man - when he is tired of a lying down with his wife. Yes, this man typifies a bisexual, but is he not equally gay as well? Should he not be considered a gay man due to his continuous behavior? Those who do not think so are ignoring the fact that his behavior mirrors that of a homosexual.
Some people who live a bisexual and homosexual lifestyle claim they are neither (but rather "straight"), because their heterosexual relationship dominates their homosexuality. This kind of thinking seems paradoxical. Society has even coined a phrase called bi-curious, a ridiculous term for an individual who generally identifies as a heterosexual but shows interest and/or feels the need to have a relationship with somebody of the same sex. Bi-curious is a contradictory phrase and represents a concealment of one's true homosexual identity.
Those who part from the natural association of male and female, either in sexual activity or even through surgical operations, cannot alter their natural core. One who is born a man is a man; one who is born a woman is a woman. Likewise, one who sleeps with the same sex is gay - including bisexuals. There is no in-between, or half-and-half. Gay is gay and straight is straight.
People have the free will to alter appearances and sexual practices, but at the core a person's created identity is definitive. Advocacy groups may wish others agree with their inventions, but biological facts and defining actions remain. If a bisexual man sleeps with a man, then he is gay. If a bisexual woman sleeps with a woman, then she is a lesbian. It does not matter how often one partakes in homosexuality, nor does it matter if one's heterosexual lifestyle overshadows his/her homosexual lifestyle. One is either gay or straight. A man and a woman were bred to be with the opposite sex. Thus, if one finds pleasure with the same sex and/or both sexes, then he/she is gay. There is no fifty-fifty when it comes to sexuality; there is no either-or.
People who live such lifestyle clearly understand that there is no disparity between bisexuals and homosexuals. All of these terms (bisexual, bi-curious, transgender, transsexual, etc.) society has coined are simply byproducts and substitutions for the mother title: homosexuality. Bisexuals live a life of paradox because their actions parallel that of a homosexual.
Learn more about this author, Hamlet Pericles.
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No
With the gay rights movement in full swing, homosexuality is getting a lot of attention these days. Ever since gay marriage became a hot button issue in the 2004 elections interest in the community has soared, and issues affecting gay, lesbian, and bisexual couples are being scrutinized more than ever. But in the midst of this debate is an underlying current of confusion, are bisexuals part of the homosexual community?
The answer is really a mixed bag of semantics, depending on how the term homosexual is being used and by whom. Undoubtedly, when a group is speaking about gay rights, homosexuality is an issue that absolutely must include bisexuality. To not include bisexuals would be understating their presence and arguing that the bisexual and homosexual communities are not facing many of the same issues in marriage and discrimination.
But on the other hand, bisexuals are not, and can not be referred to as homosexuals. Homosexuality refers specifically to those in the LGBT community that excluively engage in same sex relations, and while some may argue that bisexuals are homosexual because of their involvement with the same sex this ignores a great part of who they are as a person. Their sexual attraction to both sexes is something unique to them and deserves to be recognized as such, and the term bisexual allows them to express this.
Even without the semantic arguments, one can clearly see that bisexual is a term that must remain separate from homosexual. It is simply too engrained in the collective mind to be erased. When someone identifies themselves as bisexual, there is not mystery as to what their orientation is. They are known at that moment to be attracted to both sexes. On the other hand, a bisexual person calling themself homosexual would almost certainly signal to their conversational counterpart that they are either gay or a lesbian. In short, bisexual provides a clarity and ease of use that the term homosexual cannot deliver.
Finally, one may add that there are some people who are more attracted to the same sex than the opposite sex. Shouldn't these people be called homosexual since their attraction is predominately homosexual in nature? In this case, it seems that the choice of a label is best left to the individual. Predominately could mean anything from wanting a same sex partner little more than half the time, or almost exclusively. Only the person in question could truly identify what is the best term for them to use. Perhaps another word will arise in time that would better identify those that find themselves in this situation. Only time will tell.
Overall, the English language is a very complex organism. We can dissect words, putting people into categories, but the only real purpose of this is to better identify us as people. In the end how we identify ourselves will come down to what we think is the best fit. But in that quest for inner clarity we can not hack and slash terms from the dictionary. The term bisexual is vital to some individuals' identity, and that can not be erased, perhaps it will be modified or changed, but until then it stands as a clear and concise way to identify a huge part of who we are as human beings.
Learn more about this author, Alexandra Pollard.
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