Bisexual

Disclaimer: People can experience identities in different ways. As such, people can identify with a label without exactly matching the definition because identities are fluid.

Bisexual (often shortened to "bi") is a term used by people who experience sexual attraction to multiple genders, one's own gender and at least one more gender, and/or all genders. Bisexual people may or may not experience other sexual or romantic attractions, such as being on the asexual or aromantic spectrums, and can be any gender. Bisexual is also an umbrella term for identities that involve attraction to multiple genders, which is sometimes distinguished from the label itself as bisexual+ or bi+ (see more in the Related Identities section).

Some bisexual people have preferences for particular genders (which may change over time), some feel more strongly attracted to specific genders, some feel equal attraction, and some experience attraction that is not linked to gender.

Some bisexual people also identify as pansexual and/or use another label to describe their sexuality, while others only use bisexual. Often, the terms bisexual, omnisexual, polysexual, and pansexual are confused with one another. The distinctions between the terms are frequently debated, so each person may define them differently. Ultimately, a person who experiences attraction to multiple genders chooses which label(s) to use based upon their personal preference.

The bisexual pride flag was created by Michael Page, an LGBT activist, in 1998. It was first shown at BiCafe's first anniversary party on December 5, 1998. It was created to give the bisexual community its own symbol, similar to the rainbow pride flag, and increase the visibility of bisexual people, both in society and within the queer community.

The colors were based upon the biangles (bisexual triangles), a popular symbol of bisexuality at the time, created by Liz Nania for the Boston Bi Woman's Community.

Each color of the bisexual flag has its own meaning:

• Pink: attraction to the same gender and similar genders
• Purple: attraction to multiple/all genders (the overlap of pink and blue)
• Blue: attraction to different genders

• Bi.org provides resources, stories, and much more, all focused on bisexuality.
• The Bisexual Resource Center offers resources, support, and community for bisexual+ people.
• The Human Rights Campaign's "Bisexual FAQ" answers common questions about bisexuality and provides additional links to resources for bisexual people.
• The Trevor Project's "Understanding Bisexuality" answers questions, addresses common misconceptions, and provides resources about bisexuality.
• In "Bisexuality vs. Pansexuality vs. Omnisexuality vs. Polysexuality - What does it all mean??", rapidpeach on YouTube describes the differences between these commonly confused terms.

Sources:

• LGBTQIA+ Fandom Wiki's "Bisexual" page
• Wikipedia's "Bisexual flag" page

Images:

• "Bisexual flag" by Michael Page, public domain
• "The biangles" by Liz Nania, SVG by Fibonacci, public domain