3 Defining Bisexuality: Challenges and Importance of and Toward a Unifying Definition

Representation Matters: Progressing Research in Plurisexuality and Bisexuality in Sport

“…The term bisexual is difficult to define due to the range of beliefs about what it means to be bisexual. This has been acknowledged by many academics, including Ross et al (2018) and Swan (2018); and a number of authors have written on the topic of defining bisexuality (see, e.g., Barker et al, 2012;Eisner, 2013;Monro, 2015;Ross et al, 2018;Swan, 2018). Used to describe sexual attraction to men and women, the term bisexual is believed to have been first used by the American neurologist Charles Gilbert Chaddock in 1892 (Holleb, 2019), and the term became more widely known and understood after the noteworthy publications of the Kinsey Scale (see, Kinsey, Pomeroy, & Martin, 1948), and the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (see, Klein, Sepekoff, & Wolf, 1985).…”

“…The binary definition of bisexuality does not consider those with non-binary gender identities, and consequently since the 1990s, the term for many has changed, especially within the bisexual community (Eisner, 2013). Eisner (2013) and Swan (2018) suggest a more contemporary definition of bisexuality is an attraction to more than one gender, due to the existence of multiple genders, as opposed to just men and women. Such attractions can include sexual, romantic and/or emotional affections (singularly or as a combination), where the degree of such attractions may vary dependent on gender or throughout one's life.…”

“…Those who engage in sexual practices with more than one gender but who do not self-identify as bisexual can be seen as demonstrating behavioral bisexuality (Monro, 2015). Swan (2018) suggests a combination of factors as to why an individual who is attracted to more than one gender may choose not to selfidentify as bisexual. These include bisexual stigmas, cultural (mis)understandings regarding bisexuality, a desire to fit into either heterosexual or homosexual communities, and denial.…”

“…As self-identity, sexual behavior and attractions do not always align, academics are in disagreement in relation to what it means 'to be bisexual' and who gets to define it (Ross et al, 2018). Consequently, some academics prioritize adopting a self-identity definition, a sexual behavior (practice) definition or an affect/ emotion (attractions) definition in their research (Swan, 2018). Adopting a behavior definition or affect/emotion definition of bisexuality is appropriate for some academics based on the context of their research.…”

Bisexuality in Bohemian Rhapsody: A Queer Study

“…Bisexuality If there is a consensus among sexuality experts, it is that defining Bisexuality is akin to attempting to nail Jello to a wall (Joye Swan, 2018). As one attempts to disentangle the subtleties of bisexual expression, what first looks basic becomes piled upon coated with complexities.…”