31 January 2012

A term for Sexuality

The one problem I have with giving women who only want to have sex with women another label is that 'bisexual' is a word describing one's sexuality. It's clearly a sexual term. Not one describing someone's romantic or love interests.

Bisexual is in the same family as homosexual or heterosexual. Strictly terms for one's sexuality

So technically, realistically, and honestly, a woman who likes having sex with men and women, regardless of her romantic leanings or who she falls in love with, is correct to call herself bisexual.

Maybe it's a woman's nature to be adverse to a term that only describes one's sexuality, but, bisexual is just that.

I think the we're hitting a wall because, in the QUILTBAG, Bisexual is one of two labels that is strictly about sexuality. The other being asexual.
asexualty

I don't know of any QUILTBAGs that identify as homosexual or heterosexual. They usually call themselves gay or lesbian. Even heterosexuals are called straight.

Gay, lesbian, and straight are terms that describe more than sexuality, those terms are about love and lifestyle and everything else.

So really, homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual are fair terms to describe one's sexual orientation or attraction.

They aren't very good at describing one's identity. Gay, lesbian, straight are more oft used for that. So this leaves out bisexuals.

Queer isn't a word everyone wants to use due to it's history, so I can see why women who are attracted to women and men would rather identify as gay or straight. Because those terms are about more than just sexuality.

I'm queer because it's the best description of me overall (sexuality excluded). I identify as indifferent or equal opportunity if people push.

Maybe it is all in a word. I'll make this assumption that is in line with the statistics. If you asked someone straight out, more people would confess to their sexual behavior. People would be honest if asked 'Have you had sex with men and women'. They would also be honest about their attractions; 'are you attracted to men and women'.
If you asked someone their identity, the answers are so subjective they don't completely match up with their behavior or attraction. This is true of straight, gay, and bisexual people. And they aren't being dishonest. Identity is not the same for everyone. Identity is about more than who you want to screw or who you have screwed. So you're not going to get the answer you want based on your understanding of identity. You're going to get the answer based on their understanding of identity

No comments: