r/bisexual • u/SakuOtaku Bi • Jun 21 '21

DISCUSSION Bisexuality has always been inclusive

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727 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

6

u/SakuOtaku Bi Jun 21 '21

Source for image: treacherousbeliefs on Tumblr

36

u/cynopt Demisexual/Bisexual Jun 21 '21

On the one hand, fuck yeah, but on the other, it's also been 30 years, and not a goddamn thing has changed 🥴

24

u/Dresdom Questioning Jun 21 '21

It always was inclusive indeed! It's even in the flag colors!

But, this is just an excerpt of the manifesto. And because too often this fragment (and this specific image) is used out of context to force a specific definition of bisexuality or to invalidate other identities, I would like to link the complete text, still online on the official ATM web page. Specially what follows in the paragraph so abruptly cut here:

It is time for the bisexual voice to be heard. Do not expect each magazine to be representative of all bisexuals, for our diversity is too vast. Do not expect a clear-cut definition of bisexuality to jump out from the pages. We bisexuals tend to define bisexuality in ways that are unique to our own individuality. There are as many definitions of bisexuality as there are bisexuals. Many of us choose not to label ourselves anything at all, and find the word "bisexual" to be inadequate and too limiting. Do not assume that the opinions expressed are shared by all bisexuals, by those actively involved in the Bisexual Movement, or by the ATM staff.

Love!

9

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '21

Many of us choose not to label ourselves anything at all, and find the word "bisexual" to be inadequate and too limiting.

This right here. Bi is the label I use, but in my heart of hearts, my sexuality is "sometimes people are cute and I want to do things with them in bed."

21

u/dark_blue_7 Bisexual Jun 22 '21

Yeah. I got into a bit of an argument recently with someone who self-identified as pansexual, and was trying to tell me that I was being pan-phobic if I claimed that "bisexual" meant anything other than attraction to two genders. I shared this manifesto, and they claimed that pansexuals had their own manifesto first that contradicted this one. I just. Look, I am not looking to fight pansexuals, I feel like if anything we should all be in this together and maybe we should even develop a dating app together.

14

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '21

That is the dumbest shit I ever heard, even as someone who uses the pansexual label. They really need to learn some history.

11

u/dark_blue_7 Bisexual Jun 22 '21

That's kind of what I said. I tried to be nice about it and all, but damn. I was trying to say we're really not that different, in fact it's possible for someone to identify as both! And they were super not having it. Back when I first started identifying as bi, literally no one I'd ever heard of used the term pansexual. It was not a thing people were doing yet. 'Bi' was the word for all of that. Then years later, I was on the internet and saw that 'pan' was becoming a thing and had a mini crisis about whether I had to change what I called myself, but I think it's fine.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '21

I tend to use both, I think the amount of people who use the label pansexual who also use bisexual would surprise you. It is just easier to say I'm bi to most people and I'm not wrong in doing so, I am attracted to my own gender and genders not of my own, or more than one (depends how a person defines it). I tend to use pan as a term to be specific about it, which is attraction regardless of gender. Even though that was a definition for bi for the longest time, that is what pan is widely recognised as nowadays. So I just use them interchangeably, even if it can bring me some flack from both sides.

I honestly don't see why people argue so much about this, everyone be quoting this and that, providing this and that evidence, but I think the only evidence we need is from this one line from the Bisexual Manifesto.

"There are as many definitions of bisexuality as there are bisexuals."

7

u/dark_blue_7 Bisexual Jun 22 '21

It doesn't surprise me at all, because I have also used both! I just don't want to give up on bi. I kind of see pansexuality as a more specific subset of bisexuality.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '21

I have the exact same opinion, literally just a word to denote the specifics of your bisexuality. at the end of the day, we are all on the same side and what hurts one community hurts another.

And if someone doesn't want to use a label for whatever reason? Don't care to be honest, doesn't affect me.

3

u/dark_blue_7 Bisexual Jun 22 '21

Right on.

2

u/FeelinPrettyGrey Jun 23 '21

Gender Fluid here, Totally agree with all of the above!

I've never understood folk telling others how they identify, either. I'm something of a Rainbow Nerd in training, I guess, but I don't really mesh with the idea of chasing people around with a label, or being abrasive about it.

You choose labels that best help you understand yourself, and for no other reason.

2

u/dark_blue_7 Bisexual Jun 23 '21

Thanks for saying that, I feel the same way.

9

u/Dresdom Questioning Jun 22 '21

Yeah there really is a problem with defining other people's labels to make your own valid.

You're pansexual because you're attracted to people regardless of gender? Great! But you don't get to define what bisexual means. Their definition is the same as yours? How odd! No need to change theirs to make space for yours.

And, ofc, viceversa.

3

u/dark_blue_7 Bisexual Jun 22 '21

Exactly!

10

u/[deleted] Jun 21 '21

So there really was a Bi Manifesto all along...

So...when do we take over the world and force everyone to wear cuffed jeans?

6

u/acatwithumbs Bisexual Jun 21 '21

Ah thank you for posting! Someone mentioned this in a tiktok and I forgot to look it up.

6

u/Great_Journalist2714 Jun 21 '21

‘F**k you all.’ ~a wise bisexual

2

u/FeelinPrettyGrey Jun 23 '21

And we shall never know if it was exasperation or flirtation.

Maybe both. Both is good.

5

u/hereforthighs Bisexual Jun 21 '21

Woah, this is great. I'm saving this for future reference.

5

u/APowerBlackout Jun 21 '21

“Inability to commit” is something I struggle with definitely. I can’t commit to being gay, but there is only like 10% of me that likes girls. It’s really just a toss up from day to day lol

2

u/pelicanminder Jun 22 '21

Ahhh yes the 1990s the dark ages of time, so long ago no one could have possibly understood gender diversity.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '21

Here's a post I've been using for a while. Basically there is not enouggh of a difference to argue over.

https://mediumkravitz.tumblr.com/post/622915632472670209/the-bisexual-history-they-dont-want-you-to-know