Bisexual describes a person who is attracted to more than one gender. That attraction can be romantic, sexual, emotional, or a mix of these, and it can look different from one person to the next.
The Short Definition
If someone is bisexual, they're attracted to people of more than one gender. Many bisexual people and bi organizations use the word broadly, to include attraction to people of any gender, including non-binary people. The word doesn't set a number or a ratio. It simply says that a person's attraction isn't limited to one gender.
What Bisexual Doesn't Mean
- It doesn't mean 50/50. Attraction doesn't have to be equal. Some bi people prefer one gender, and some don't have a preference.
- It doesn't mean confusion or a phase. For many people it's a settled, lifelong part of who they are.
- It doesn't require experience. You can be bisexual without having dated or been with more than one gender.
- It doesn't depend on who you're with. A bisexual person in a relationship with a man, a woman, or a non-binary partner is still bisexual.
- It doesn't say anything about how someone behaves in relationships. Faithfulness and honesty depend on the person, not on their orientation.
Types Of Attraction People Describe
Attraction isn't one thing. People often talk about romantic attraction (who you want a relationship with), sexual attraction (who you're drawn to physically), and emotional or aesthetic attraction. A bisexual person might feel these the same way across genders, or differently. It's all part of the picture.
Bisexual And Related Labels
Many people use "bi+" as an umbrella for identities that involve attraction to more than one gender. It can include pansexual, fluid, queer and bi-curious people. Some of these words overlap heavily, and people choose between them for personal reasons. Our guide to pansexual vs bisexual explains how they're used, and what bi-curious means covers people who are still exploring.
Do You Have To Come Out?
No. Whether, when and how you tell people is entirely up to you. Some people are open with everyone, some are out only to a few, and some keep it private. None of these is wrong. If you're not sure how you feel, our article Am I Bisexual? offers some questions to reflect on.
Dating As A Bisexual Person
Dating as a bisexual person can mean tired assumptions on mainstream apps. A dedicated community lets you be open about who you are from the first message. On Bi Desires you can meet bisexual, pansexual and bi-curious singles who don't need things explained. Explore bisexual dating to see how it works.