Bisexuality 101
A brief introduction
Quick overview
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William Perry
Myths
Terms
Researchers
Identity versus Behavior
More information
William Perry’s Model of Intellectual and Ethical
Development (1981)
1. Dualism: two options, one right one wrong
2. Multiplicity: acknowledges multiple options
3. Relativism: analyzes multiple options
4. Commitments in relativism: understands multiple options
(non-dual awareness), decides to follow one option based
upon personal beliefs and values
Application of Perry
• Applying non-dual awareness to sexuality.
• Bisexuality is the experience of romantic &
emotional attachment on the non-dual plane of
development.
• Both attractions are possible, but not necessarily
acted upon…and may take various ranges of
expression.
Myths
• Bisexuality does not exist.
• Bisexual means equal attraction to both genders.
• Bisexuals are dishonest about their relationships.
Adapted from Bisexual Resource Center. (2002). Myths about bisexuality [Brochure]. Boston, MA.
Myths
• Bisexuals are sexually promiscuous.
• Bisexuals cause AIDS.
• Bisexuals are incapable of having healthy relationships.
Adapted from Bisexual Resource Center. (2002). Myths about bisexuality [Brochure]. Boston, MA.
Terms
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Bi-curious
Bi-phobia
Bisexual
Men having Sex with Men (MSM)
Monosexual
Pansexual/Omnisexual/Pomosexual
Kinsey Scale (1948)
Heterosexual
Homosexual
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1
2
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5
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Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (1993)
Variable
A Sexual Attraction
B Sexual Behavior
Past Present Ideal
C
D
E
F
Sexual Fantasies
Emotional Preference
Social Preference
Heterosexual/Homosexual
Lifestyle
G Self Identification
Use scores ranging from: 1 (other sex) to 7 (same sex)
Identity versus behavior
Identity
One aspect of a person’s overall being. In
terms of sexual orientation, this
person will typically acknowledge
varying degrees of emotional, social,
and/or physical attraction (or interest)
in persons of both genders. Gender is
usually not the major demarcating
factor for attraction (or interest).
Example: Bisexual identified person, in a
monogamous relationship
Behavior
The actions a person does often, but not
always based upon their thoughts,
conceptions and beliefs.
Example: Heterosexual identified person
having sex with the same gender.
Guidelines for practice
• Become familiar with concepts and resources for
the bisexual community.
• Do not make assumptions.
• Acknowledge the person’s experience.
• Remember that there are human issues and
bisexual issues.
So what does it all mean?
• The words we use to define ourselves usually
mean something different for each person.
• The Kinsey Scale & Klein Sexual Orientation
Grid measure sexuality in a more objective
manner, but are still very limited.
• The most important factor is how individuals
identify themselves.
Researchers on the topic of bisexuality
• Ronald C. Fox, PhD (San Francisco, CA)
• Tania Israel (Santa Barbara, CA)
• Alfred Kinsey (Deceased)
• Fritz Klein, MD (San Diego, CA)
• Emily Page (Boston, MA)
Internet resources
• www.bialogue.org
• www.biresource.org
• www.bisexual.org
• www.binetusa.org
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexual
Print resources
• Fox, R.C. (Ed.). (2004). Current research on
bisexuality. New York: Harrington Press.
• Hutchins, L. & Kaahumanu, L. (Eds.). (1991). Bi
any other name: Bisexual people speak out.
Boston: Alyson Publications.
• Klein, F. (1993) Bisexual option(2nd ed.). New
York: Arbor House.
• Ochs, R. (Ed.). (2001). Bisexual resource guide
(4th ed.). Boston: Bisexual Resource Center.