Bisexuality
In 1998, Michael Page unveiled a flag with three horizontal stripes to represent a community that had long existed without a unified symbol. The top stripe is deep pink for homosexuality, the bottom is blue for heterosexuality, and the middle purple stripe blends them to signify attraction to more than one gender. This visual marker arrived decades after the term bisexuality was coined in the 19th century by Charles Gilbert Chaddock. Before this specific design emerged, definitions varied wildly across scientific texts and personal narratives. Some sources define it as romantic or sexual attraction to both males and females, while others describe it as attraction to people regardless of their sex or gender identity. The American Psychological Association notes that sexual orientation falls along a continuum where individuals do not have to be exclusively homosexual or heterosexual. People can feel varying degrees of attraction throughout their lifetime, realizing their identity at different points in time. Attraction takes numerous forms including sexual, romantic, emotional, or physical connections. A key distinction exists between behavior, identity, and orientation itself. An individual may identify as heterosexual yet engage in same-sex experiences without considering themselves bisexual. Conversely, someone who identifies as gay might occasionally interact with members of the opposite sex without adopting a bisexual label. These discrepancies highlight how self-perception does not always align with actions or desires.
Scientists continue to debate the exact causes of sexual orientation despite favoring biological models over social ones. In 1991, Simon LeVay examined brain tissue from 18 homosexual men, one bisexual man, 16 presumably heterosexual men, and six presumably heterosexual women. He found the INAH 3 nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus was smaller in homosexual men than in heterosexual men. The single bisexual subject in his study had an INAH 3 size similar to that of heterosexual men. This finding suggests biological precursors exist but remain complex and unproven. John Money proposed in 1988 that genetic males with an extra Y chromosome are more likely to be bisexual, impulsive, and paraphilic. Research into prenatal hormones indicates exposure to excess testosterone and low estrogen concentrations may relate to bisexuality. Studies measuring finger ratios show a statistically significant skew toward homosexuality with an even lower ratio in bisexuals. Magnus Hirschfeld argued decades earlier that every embryo contains rudimentary neutral centers for attraction to both sexes. He believed these centers developed differently depending on whether the individual became heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. Sigmund Freud once claimed all humans incorporate general attributes of both sexes psychologically. His theory of innate bisexuality faced rejection by Sándor Radó in 1940 who argued no such biological bisexuality exists in humans. Evolutionary psychologists suggest same-sex alliances helped males climb social hierarchies to access reproductive opportunities. Barron and Hare propose that same-sex attraction is a spandrel of prosocial traits selected over time among humans. These theories attempt to explain why bisexuality persists despite lowering reproductive success in some contexts.
Scientific estimates regarding the prevalence of bisexuality have varied significantly across different studies and decades. The Janus Report on Sexual Behavior published in 1993 concluded that five percent of men and three percent of women considered themselves bisexual. A 2002 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics found 1.8 percent of men ages 18 to 44 identified as bisexual while 2.8 percent of women in the same age group did so. In July 2014, the NHIS reported only 0.7 percent of Americans identify as bisexual in the first large-scale government survey measuring sexual orientation. YouGov data from the United Kingdom showed the proportion of young adults identifying as bisexual surged 14 percentage points between 2015 and 2019. Recent Western surveys find about 10 percent of women and four percent of men identify as mostly heterosexual. Only one percent of women and 0.5 percent of men identify specifically as bisexual according to these newer figures. The World Health Organization estimates worldwide prevalence of men who have sex with men ranges between three and 16 percent. Many of these individuals also engage in sexual activity with women. Longitudinal studies reveal complex patterns of identity development over time. Rosario et al found youths who identified as both gay and bisexual prior to baseline were approximately three times more likely to identify as gay later. Lisa M. Diamond followed women identifying as lesbian, bisexual, or unlabeled over ten years and found more women adopted bisexual identities than relinquished them. These findings suggest sexual and romantic attraction may not be fixed for bisexual individuals but change over time.
Ancient Greeks did not associate sexual relations with well-defined labels as modern Western society does today. Spartans believed love and erotic relationships between experienced and novice soldiers would solidify combat loyalty and unit cohesion. Aristophanes depicted young men who continued relationships with mentors into adulthood using the term meaning wide arses. In ancient Rome, gender did not determine whether a sexual partner was acceptable as long as enjoyment did not encroach on another man's integrity. It was socially acceptable for a freeborn Roman man to want sex with both female and male partners provided he took the penetrative role. John Hoyle was an Englishman known for his bisexuality during early modern times. Alfred Kinsey conducted the first large surveys of homosexual behavior in the United States during the 1940s. His 1948 work Sexual Behavior in the Human Male stated nearly half of the population engages in both heterosexual and homosexual activities. Kinsey himself disliked using the term bisexual to describe individuals engaging in activity with both sexes preferring its original biological sense as hermaphroditic. Some researchers believe Kinsey overestimated rates of same-sex attraction yet his work remains pioneering. Japanese pederasty involved young male entertainers engaging with older male lovers while surreptitiously kissing female servants. These historical records demonstrate that same-sex and multi-gender attractions existed across civilizations without modern terminology.
In 1914 the first documented appearance of bisexual characters occurred in an American motion picture called A Florida Enchantment directed by Sidney Drew. Under censorship required by the Hays Code the word bisexual could not be mentioned until 1968. Notable portrayals include Something for Everyone released in 1970 and Sunday Bloody Sunday following in 1971. Rock musician David Bowie famously declared himself bisexual in an interview with Melody Maker in January 1972 coinciding with his campaign as Ziggy Stardust. He later said in 1983 it was the biggest mistake he ever made though he explained it was tougher in America than Europe. Queen singer Freddie Mercury remained open about his bisexuality without publicly discussing relationships. In 1995 Jill Sobule sang about bi-curiosity in her song I Kissed a Girl featuring alternating images of herself with boyfriends and girlfriends. Frank Ocean came out as bisexual via Tumblr post in 2012 describing feelings toward a man he spent summer with four years prior. Television series Orange Is The New Black featured Piper Chapman played by Taylor Schilling as a bisexual female inmate having relationships with both men and women. The FOX series House included Remy Thirteen Hadley played by Olivia Wilde from season four onwards. MTV's The Real World began featuring two bisexual characters Emily Schromm and Mike Manning starting in 2009. These representations often face criticism for reinforcing stereotypes or pathologizing behavior while others celebrate visibility.
Common questions
When was the bisexual flag designed and who created it?
Michael Page unveiled the bisexual flag in 1998. The design features three horizontal stripes with deep pink at the top, blue at the bottom, and purple in the middle to represent attraction to more than one gender.
What is the prevalence of bisexuality according to recent surveys?
A July 2014 NHIS report found that only 0.7 percent of Americans identify as bisexual. Recent Western surveys indicate about 10 percent of women and four percent of men identify as mostly heterosexual while only 1 percent of women and 0.5 percent of men identify specifically as bisexual.
Who coined the term bisexuality and when did this occur?
Charles Gilbert Chaddock coined the term bisexuality in the 19th century. This definition arrived decades before Michael Page unveiled the community flag in 1998.
How does the Janus Report on Sexual Behavior define bisexuality rates?
The Janus Report on Sexual Behavior published in 1993 concluded that five percent of men and three percent of women considered themselves bisexual. A 2002 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics found 1.8 percent of men ages 18 to 44 identified as bisexual while 2.8 percent of women in the same age group did so.
When was the first documented appearance of a bisexual character in film?
In 1914 the first documented appearance of bisexual characters occurred in an American motion picture called A Florida Enchantment directed by Sidney Drew. Under censorship required by the Hays Code the word bisexual could not be mentioned until 1968.