Cat on the Wall: A Brief Insight into the Complexities of Being Bisexual

Written by: Sraddha R

Edited by: Sunaina

Illustrated by: Shreya Srinivasan

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"Choose a path and avoid sitting on the fence. Make a decision; you're just confused." These are common phrases that bisexual individuals often hear, like a chorus of doubt echoing the complexities of embracing a bisexual identity in a world that craves clear-cut categorization. Bisexual individuals navigate the intricacies of human attraction across the gender spectrum, guided by a kaleidoscope of emotions, desires, and connections.

The confusion surrounding bisexuality arises from a misunderstanding of the inherent fluidity of human sexuality. Several factors contribute to sexual fluidity. Some people discover it as they encounter new individuals and experience novel attractions, while for others, it may emerge when they find an identity label that better aligns with their personal experiences. Cultural and social narratives often stifle this fluidity, making it even more challenging for bisexual individuals to understand their sexuality (Katz-Wise 2022).

A concept known as the 'bi-cycle' explains this phenomenon well. The 'bi-cycle' describes the shifts in sexual preferences that individuals can experience on a daily or even moment-to-moment basis. It is entirely natural for one's sexual desires to wax and wane throughout their life. "Bisexuality is frequently an invisible identity. It fundamentally challenges the prevailing institution of heterosexuality and its queer counterpart, homosexuality, and thus tends to be overlooked by both" (Erickson-Schroth & Mitchell 2009). When a bisexual person is in a relationship with someone of the "opposite" gender, they are often perceived as straight, and suspicions of dishonesty may arise. However, when they are with someone of the same gender, they are seen as homosexual individuals trying to access the privileges associated with heterosexuality.

There is a gendered aspect to the perception of bisexuality as well. Recent research highlights the common stereotype that bisexual men are often mistaken for being exclusively gay, while bisexual women are assumed to be straight (McGorray & Petsko 2023). Bisexuality, as this study and previous articles have emphasised, does not neatly fit into the established understandings of queer culture. It represents a distinct and genuine identity, separate from the binary categorizations often imposed upon it. The romanticization of bisexuality in women, frequently seen in popular media, contrasts starkly with the tendency to label bisexual men as exclusively gay.

In a world that increasingly acknowledges the fluid nature of human sexuality and gender, such categorizations are losing their significance. It is crucial for individuals to take proactive steps to address these stereotypes and promote understanding. This includes self-education, taking a clear stance, speaking out against harmful beliefs, and actively participating in the education of young adults to foster a more inclusive and empathetic society.