by -Rakuyou Mitsukai-

Created on: June 04, 2008   Last Updated: January 19, 2009

While Bisexuals and Homosexuals may fit under the same category of non-heterosexuality, it is far from true to consider them to be the same thing. Just because one indulges in homosexual activities or tendencies, does not mean that one is a homosexual. Let's look at some of the fundamental differences in the two groups.1.) Bisexuality is different from homosexuality in that bisexuals are not exclusively attracted to one particular sex. It is possible for bisexuality to be confused with homosexuality on the basis that one may tend to prefer one sex slightly more than the other, but in fact, this does not mean that person has chosen an exclusive group. It could be that said person has found someone they like of one particular gender and that relationship gives them a homosexual (or heterosexual) appearance. This appearance however, does not cause a change to a bisexuals openness to both sexes.

2.) Bisexuals experience prejudice from both heterosexuals AND homosexuals. Heterosexuals see bisexuality as a threat to their own sexuality and treat them more like homosexuals (with contempt). Homosexuals see bisexuals as afraid to pick a side despite the fact that bisexuals often rally for homosexual rights. If bisexuals were considered homosexuals, why would their own people discriminate against them? Obviously, they would not be discriminating against their own kind because that would only hurt their cause to gain rights for homosexuals.

3.) Storm's Model: Professor Michael Storm of the University of Kansas developed a modified continuum displaying the many forms of sexual orientation. Imagine a two-dimensional grid, with the x-axis representing heterosexuality and the y-axis representing homosexuality. When the X value is low and the Y value is high, that is a representation of a homosexual orientation. Now, when both the X and Y values are high, that is a representation of a bisexual orientation. It would look a bit like this...

|| [Homosexuality] - [Bisexuality]|||

| [Asexuality] - [Heterosexuality]|__________________________________ _____

*Please note: The dotted lines do not reference any connections. They are merely there to provide spacing between the low and high X values on the graph.*

I wish I could draw you a better picture, but hopefully you get the idea. The point of this model is to show that there is a difference between homosexuals and bisexuals and it would be unfair to ignore that division.

Learn more about this author, -Rakuyou Mitsukai-.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.