So What ARE You Talking About Exactly?

While the term bisexuality is not so vague a term in itself, applying it where appropriate can be. Many people apply various words to describe sexual desire or attraction, and often the same word is applied in different ways.
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While the term bisexuality is not so vague a term in itself, applying it where appropriate can be. Many people apply various words to describe sexual desire or attraction, and often the same word is applied in different ways.

I personally describe myself as queer. I have been–and most certainly will be at some point in the future–attracted to both men, women and people who don’t identify in either of those categories. Others prefer this term when defining their own gender identity and some use it as a term to encompass all forms of alternative sexuality.

Queer is also a good way to describe me in general. I may not *look* weird, but I have some strange ideologies and thought processes.

Just for the sake of keeping my columns clear, I want to rope in these terms and try to use them in the same way each time. This way when I use a term with an otherwise ambiguous definition my intended use is consistent. I also hope to avoid introducing random sexual identities that may be less known (like sapiosexual, or even pansexual).

Whenever and always when I use bisexual, I refer to anyone who is attracted–sexually, romantically or emotionally–to people regardless of gender or sex.  (Yes, sex and gender are different.)

I don’t include straight women who make out with chicks in bars here. These women are usually seeking positive attention from guys or see it as fun, but not necessarily pleasurable. I do however, include straight guys who seek out sexual encounters with other men.

The difference? Girl-on-girl action is much more socially acceptable and even encouraged whereas guy-on-guy is not. It takes a lot more desire for a man to seek out same sex experiences than for a girl.

Monosexuality refers to anyone who is attracted to people of a specific gender. This is includes straight, gay AND lesbian people. Typically this attraction is both sexual and romantic, but it could only be one or the other (in case you’re either emotional stunted or asexual).

I’ll expand on this list as more terms present themselves, but for now this is adequate.

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