Understanding Bisexuality

The term “bisexual” is used to describe a person who experiences emotional, romantic and/or sexual attractions to, or engages in romantic or sexual relationships with, more than one sex or gender. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in a 2016 publication that 1.3 percent of women and 1.9 percent of men said they were “homosexual, gay, or lesbian,” and that 5.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men said they were bisexual. These findings indicate that bisexual people may comprise the largest single group in the LGB community for both women and men. Nevertheless, many believe that bisexuality does not really exist, and bisexual people suffer bi-invisibility or erasure and bi-negativity from both the lesbian and gay community and the heterosexual community, which may explain evidence suggesting higher rates of health disparities bisexuals experience compared to either. Here are a few more research findings:

• Bisexual people are significantly less out to family and friends
• Bisexual people are more likely than lesbian and gay people to experience disparities in terms of poverty, employment, violence, and health
• "Shining a Light Into the Darkness: Bisexuality and Relationships"
  Sexual and Relationship Therapy, February 2018
  A major goal of this special issue is to highlight the intricacy of bisexual relationships and to provide greater direction to mental health providers working with bisexual individuals and their partners.

APA Resources

• Answers to Your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality
  This pamphlet is designed to provide accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation and the impact of prejudice and discrimination on those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. The brochure is also available in Russian and Spanish.
• Guidelines for psychological practice with sexual minority persons (PDF, 1.5MB)
  These guidelines provide practitioners with a frame of reference for the treatment of lesbian, gay and bisexual clients, and basic information and further references in the areas of assessment, intervention, identity, relationships, and the education and training of psychologists.
  Guidelines (February 2021)
• Div. 44 Committee on Bisexual Issues
  The Div. 44 Committee on Bisexual Issues leads the Division's efforts to highlight and support the study of bisexual issues in psychology. The committee provides opportunities for psychologists to network and to participate in convention programs and other professional development opportunities focused on bisexual concerns.
• News Beyond the Binary
  From the Div. 44 Committee on Bisexual Issues. A compilation of a sampling of recent scholarship and popular media coverage pertaining to bisexuality and psychology.
• VisiBility
  From the Div. 44 Committee on Bisexual Issues. A three-minute YouTube video highlighting the importance of visibility and inclusion of bisexual people.
• Bisexual older adult women: A review of the literature
  An overview on previous studies related to bisexual, older adult women to provide recommendations for future research on this group.
  Adult Development & Aging News , April 2018

Organizations with a Specific Focus on Bisexuality

• The American Institute of Bisexuality
  The American Institute of Bisexuality encourages, supports, and assists research and education about bisexuality, through programs likely to make a material difference and enhance public knowledge, awareness, and understanding about bisexuality.
• BiNet USA
  As America’s oldest advocacy organization for bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer-identified, and unlabeled people, BiNet USA facilitates the development of a cohesive network of independent bisexual and bi-friendly communities; promotes bisexual and bi-inclusive visibility; and collects and distributes educational information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity with an emphasis on bisexual, pansexual, fluid and queer (bi+) communities.
• Bisexual.org
  The project is meant to introduce bisexual community to the world and give voice to the bisexual community, share accurate information, answer questions, and provide educational resources. It is a valuable resource for investigation of bisexuality, whether to better understand your own sexuality, to better understand a loved one or simply for learning.
• Bisexual Resource Center (BRC)
  The organization envisions a world where love is celebrated, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. Because bisexuals today are still misunderstood, marginalized, and discriminated against, the BRC is committed to providing support to the bisexual community and raising public awareness about bisexuality and bisexual people.
• Bi Visibility Day
  Bi Visibility Day, also known as International Celebrate Bisexuality Day, has been marked each year since 1999 to highlight biphobia and to help people find the bisexual community.

Organizations that Include a Focus on Bisexuality

• GLAAD Accelerating Bi+ Acceptance
  Through media advocacy, GLAAD lifts up the stories of bisexual and allied communities to build understanding and accelerate acceptance.
• Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – Explore: Bisexual
  HRC is working with other advocates to increase bi-visibility and address the unique needs of the bisexual community.

Related Resources

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Aging
  An extensive list of APA and other resources to support the aging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health
  Resources reflect recent and ongoing work both in government agencies and the non-profit health care community to address LGBT health issues.
• PI blog post: What Can We Do to Improve Bisexuals’ Mental Health?
  By Tania Israel, PhD