BY: Katie Carbrey
TARGET: Dictionary.com
TARGET: Dictionary.com
It is important for bisexuals to be able to voice their definition of
their own sexuality.
For
many decades the bisexual community has reclaimed the word
"bisexuality" to mean "an attraction to more than one
gender"
Bisexual
Organizations have been using this definition for many years now, and
we request that the dictionary reflects this definition. A definition
used by bisexuals, for bisexuals. We request that we be the ones to
define our own sexuality.
For
a reference of bisexual organizations, resource centers, activists,
and other campaign's definitions, please see below:
Bisexual
Organizations/Resource Centers:
-
BiNet USA
“Bisexual
- A person whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional
attraction is to other people of various sexes and/or gender
identities. Individuals may experience this attraction in differing
ways and degrees over their lifetime.”
-Bisexual
Resource Center: USA
“The
BRC uses bisexual as an umbrella term for people who recognize and
honor their potential for sexual and emotional attraction to more
than one gender. We celebrate and affirm the diversity of identity
and expression regardless of labels.”
-
The American Institute of Bisexuality
“A
bi person has the capacity for romantic and/or sexual attraction to
more than one gender.”
-
Bisexual Index: UK
“This
is how we define it: A bisexual is someone who is attracted to more
than one gender. You might care about the gender of your partner a
lot, a little, or not at all - but their gender doesn’t prevent you
from being attracted to them.”
-
Bi UK
“Bisexuality
(or bi) is commonly defined as being attracted to both men and women.
However, many members of bisexual communities tend to prefer the
definition: ‘a changeable sexual and emotional attraction to people
of any sex, where gender may not be a defining factor’: the
emphasis here is on being attracted to more than one gender or being
attracted to people regardless of gender.”
-Toronto
Bisexual Network
“Bisexuality
is the potential to feel attracted to and to engage in sexual and/or
romantic relationships with people of any sex or gender.”
Bisexual
Activists:
-
Robyn Ochs
“I
call myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I have in myself the
potential to be attracted - romantically and/or sexually - to people
of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time,
not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same
degree.”
Other
Campaigns:
Human
Rights Campaign
“Bisexual
| A person emotionally, romantically, sexually and relationally
attracted to more than one sex and/or gender, though not necessarily
simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.”
As
you can see, the bisexual community is currently defining their
sexuality as an attraction to more than one gender. This is an
inclusive term that reflects the diverse nature of gender identity,
and it includes those who do not identify as one of the binary
genders (male and female). It is inclusive of our genderqueer,
transgender, and intersex peers. We ask that you please change your
definition of bisexuality to an "attraction to more than one
gender" as this reflects the definition the bisexuality
community has been using.
-Faith Cheltenham
Thank you Katie Carbrey for starting this petition!