Sexuality runs along a continuum.
It is not a static "thing" but rather a process that can flow,
changing throughout our lifetime.
Bisexuality falls along this continuum.
As Boston bisexual activist Robyn Ochs says, bisexuality is the
"potential for being sexually and/or romantically involved with members of either gender."

MYTH
Bisexuals are promiscuous/swingers.
TRUTH
Bisexual people have a range of sexual behaviors.
Some have multiple partners; some have one partner; some go through partnerless periods.
Promiscuity is no more prevalent in the bisexual population than in other groups of people.

MYTH
Bisexuals are equally attracted to both sexes.
TRUTH
Bisexuals tend to favor either the same or the opposite sex,
while recognizing their attraction to both genders.

MYTH
Bisexual means having concurrent lovers of both genders.
TRUTH
Bisexual simply means the potential for involvement with either gender.
This may mean sexually, emotionally, in reality, or in fantasy.
Some bisexual people may have concurrent lovers;
others may relate to different genders at various time periods.
Most bisexuals do not need to see both genders in order to feel fulfilled.

MYTH
Bisexuals cannot be monogamous.
TRUTH
Bisexuality is a sexual orientation.
It is independent of a lifestyle of monogamy or non-monogamy.
Bisexuals are as capable as anyone of making a long-term
monogamous commitment to a partner they love.
Bisexuals live a variety of lifestyles, as do heterosexuals.

MYTH
Bisexuals are denying their lesbianism or gayness.
TRUTH
Bisexuality is a legitimate sexual orientation which incorporates gayness.
Most bisexuals consider themselves part of the generic term "gay."
Many are quite active in the gay community, both socially and politically.
Some use terms such as "bisexual lesbian" to increase visibility on both issues.

MYTH
Bisexuals are in "transition."
TRUTH
Some people go through a transitional period of bisexuality
on their way to adopting a lesbian/gay or heterosexual identity.
For many others, bisexuality remains a long-term orientation.
Indeed, homosexuality may be a transitional phase
for the coming-out process for bisexual people.

MYTH
Bisexuals spread AIDS to the lesbian and heterosexual communities.
TRUTH
This myth legitimizes discimination against bisexuals.
The label "bisexual" simply refers to sexual orientation.
It says nothing about sexual behavior.
AIDS occurs in people of all sexual orientations.
AIDS is contracted through unsafe sexual practices, shared needles,
and contaminated blood transfusions.
Sexual orientation does not "cause" AIDS.

MYTH
Bisexuals are confused about their sexuality.
TRUTH
It is natural for both bisexuals and gays to go through a period of confusion
during the coming-out process.
When you are an oppressed people and are constantly told you don't exist,
confusion is an appropriate reaction until you come out to yourself
and find a supportive environment.

MYTH
Bisexuals can hide in the heterosexual community when the going gets rough.
TRUTH
To "pass" for straight and deny your bisexuality is just as painful and damaging
for a bisexual as it is for a gay.
Bisexuals are not heterosexual and do not identify as heterosexual.

MYTH
Bisexuals are not gay.
TRUTH
Bisexuals are part of the generic definition of gay.
(See Don Clark's Loving Someone Gay)
Nongays lump them all together.
Bisexuals have lost their jobs and suffer the same legal discrimination
as other gays.

MYTH
Bisexual women will dump you for a man.
TRUTH
Women who are uncomfortable or confused about their same-sex attraction
may use the bisexual label.
True bisexuals acknowledge both their same-sex and opposite sex attraction.
Both bisexuals and gays are capable of going back into the closet.
People who are unable to make commitments may use a person of either gender
to leave a relationship.

It is important to remember that
bisexual, gay, lesbian, and heterosexual
are labels created by a homophobic, biphobic, heterosexist society
to separate and alienate us from each other.
We are all unique; we don't fit into neat little categories.
We sometimes need to use these labels for political reasons and to increase our visibility.
Our sexual esteem is facilitated by acknowledging and accepting
the differences and seeing the beauty in our diversity.

Sharon Forman Sumpter
From Hutchins, L., & Kaahumanu, L. (Eds.). (1991).
Bi any other name: Bisexual people speak out.  Boston: Alyson.