Have you ever wondered what all the letters in LGBTQIA mean? Many people know the “L” and “G,” but not the others. Let’s look at the “B,” which means “bisexual.” Being bisexual is a big and important identity, but many people don’t fully understand it. Learning what “bisexual” means helps us make the world more welcoming for everyone. 

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What Does “Bisexual” Mean?

"Bisexual" means being attracted to more than one gender. Groups like the Bisexual Resource Center explain bisexuality as attraction to “your own gender and other genders.” 

A few points 

  • It doesn't mean attraction must be equal or the same for each gender. 

  • It includes people who use markers like bi, pansexual, queer, or fluid. 

  • Modern definitions go beyond just “man and woman,” celebrating numerous genders 

This broader understanding grew in the 1990s and early 2000s as LGBTQ experimenters and activists pushed for clearer, more inclusive language. 

A Quick History of the Word. 

The word “bisexual” didn’t always describe attraction. 

  • 19th century: Medical textbooks used it to describe intersex physical traits, not exposure. 

  • 1920s–1940s: Psychologists shifted the meaning toward attraction. 

  • Kinsey Reports (1948 & 1953): Experimenter Alfred Kinsey set up that fornication exists on a diapason, with numerous people attracted to more than one gender. 

His work at the Kinsey Institute helped homogenize the idea that bisexuality is common and natural. 

Bisexual Visibility in LGBTQ Movements. 

Bisexual people helped shape queer history, indeed, when their identity wasn’t always honored. 

  • Numerous Stonewall participants in 1969 would at this moment be described as bisexual or fluid, which is documented by the Library of Congress

  • The acronym “LGBTQ” came into extensive use in the 1980s, making “B” extensive use a clear part of activism. 

  • BiPOL, innovated in 1983 in San Francisco, became the first bisexual political group in the U.S. 

  • Bisexual Pride Day, launched in 1999, increased global visibility and mindfulness. 

These mileposts pushed the movement toward wider acceptance and better representation. 

Why Does the B Matter?

Exploration from the Williams Institute at UCLA shows bisexual people make up over 50% of the entire LGBTQIA population. But bisexual people often deal with special problems.

  • They can feel a lot of stress because both straight people and gay people sometimes misunderstand them.
  • Many bisexual people don’t tell others about their identity because they worry no one will believe them.
  • They also face “bi-erasure,” which is when people say they are “really straight” or “really gay” instead of accepting that they are bisexual.

This information shows that learning about bisexuality isn’t just nice; it’s important.

 

Modern Understanding.

Young people today, like millennials and Gen Z, use words such as "bi," "pansexual," and "queer" to describe attraction that doesn’t fit into strict or traditional boxes. Movies, TV, and online communities now show more bi people, which helps fight the old idea that bisexual people don’t exist or aren’t visible.

Looking for a safe place in an LGBTQ space?

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It includes easy Google/email sign-in, private one-on-one video chats, the ability to follow people, saved chat history, fun emojis and face masks, and strong safety tools. Pride Location gives LGBTQ people a safe, global place to be themselves and connect with others.

Final Thoughts.

The B in LGBTQIA means bisexual: an important identity with a long history and a strong presence today. When we understand bisexuality, we create space for more people to feel seen, respected, and safe.

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