Uncover Bisexual History: Key Moments, Myths, Icons, and Advocacy

Bisexuality means attraction to more than one gender—here’s what that really looks like

Bisexuality isn’t a trend people try on; it’s a deep, intimate part of human experience. If you’ve ever loved or felt drawn to people regardless of their gender, you already know how incredibly broad and personal bisexuality can be. And you might’ve noticed that this word stretches wide, holding space for romance, desire, identity, and everything swirling in between. Being bisexual means experiencing romantic or sexual attraction to more than one gender, but not always in the same ways or to the same degrees.

What’s often forgotten is just how diverse the bisexual community is. Some people use “bi+” as a flexible, inclusive umbrella, recognizing that pansexual, omnisexual, and fluid folks often share overlapping experiences with the traditional definition of bisexuality. Labels can feel both freeing and limiting, which is why so many people fall somewhere on the sexual spectrum and embrace the term "bisexual" even if it doesn’t fit perfectly. The LGBTQIA+ world is vast—and the bisexual umbrella was built to offer shelter, not rules.

Still, assumptions cling tightly. Too many outsiders believe “bisexuality” requires a neat 50/50 split of attraction, or that it’s just a “phase” on the way to something else. That’s a myth, not reality. For some, attraction fluctuates or defies easy description, and that’s not confusion—it’s complexity. As the culture grows, so does understanding: bisexuality is about the truth of attraction, not the precision of language or a test of loyalty. Looking back at history, naming and seeing bisexuality has always meant pushing against stereotypes and embracing diversity within the bisexual community itself. With every outstretched hand and open conversation, the story of bisexuality gets richer and more real.

Bisexual stereotypes: the truth behind harmful myths and intersectional bias

People say a lot of things about bisexuality—most of it misses the mark. If you’re under the bisexual umbrella, you’ve probably heard the classics: “Bisexuals are just confused.” “They can’t be trusted.” “Isn’t everyone a little bisexual?” None of these reflect reality. In fact, these bisexual stereotypes end up doing real harm. At their core, stereotypes are shortcuts for people who haven’t tried to understand someone else’s story. Biphobia, the uniquely sharp prejudice bisexual people face, grows in those shortcuts. Sometimes it overlaps openly with transphobia or racism, especially for people whose identities are already misunderstood or suppressed. That’s intersectional bias: layers of oppression double down, making it harder to be seen for who you actually are.

Common myths—like bisexuals being more likely to cheat, never “settling down,” or just craving attention—aren’t rooted in evidence. Studies show bisexual people face higher rates of mental health issues and social isolation, in large part because they’re invalidated or erased, even within LGBTQ spaces. Imagine dating, loving, and trying to find community, only to have your identity constantly up for debate. That can make people hide who they are or push their feelings aside just to avoid judgment.

Breaking these patterns matters because it’s not just about correcting gossip—it’s about making bisexual spaces safer. Stereotypes are heavy. They limit opportunities for bisexual advocacy, community support, and healthy relationships. When people stop seeing bisexuality as a phase and start listening, everyone gains more room to be real. Ending harmful myths clears the path for healing, growth, and acceptance both inside and outside the bisexual community.

The history of bisexuality: hidden stories, evolving perspectives, and lasting change

Looking through the lens of time, the history of bisexuality is a story pieced together from whispers, blurred records, and hints found in literature and art. Unlike some identities, bisexuality rarely got its own label—many bisexual people lived under broader or mismatched terms, often coded as “gay,” “lesbian,” or even just “close friends.” Why? For centuries, biphobia fueled stigma, and social rules punished anyone who crossed heteronormative lines. The idea of the sexual spectrum wasn’t part of most people’s vocabulary, so many just stayed quiet.

Cross-cultural research reveals that attraction to multiple genders has always existed, even before the word “bisexual” was part of common language. In ancient Greece, relationships between men and both men and women were noted—though historical context made those relationships look different from today’s expectations. Similar patterns surface in cultures across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The language and visibility changed, but the feelings were always there.

With the rise of queer history scholarship and the LGBTQ movement, the last century finally saw more overt recognition of bisexuality and its place within the bisexual community. Alfred Kinsey’s research in the mid-20th century broke ground by placing sexual orientation on a scale, shaking up the old black-and-white model. Recognizing, preserving, and learning bisexual history isn’t about collecting trivia—it’s about giving people context and dignity. When you know where you come from, you’re not so easily erased.

The word bisexual: from scientific roots to a symbol of gender-inclusive desire

Where did “bisexual” come from? The word’s first appearances weren’t about people loving people. In the 19th century, scientists like Robert Bentley Todd used “bisexual” to describe living beings with both male and female anatomical features. Later, Sigmund Freud wrote about “bisexuality” in the context of human biology and psychology, tying it loosely to everybody’s potential for attraction. But it wasn’t until the twentieth century that the term shifted from a medical oddity to a language of identity.

Over time, “bisexual” moved out of textbooks and into public self-identification. The evolution turned crucial during the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, as people demanded language that truly fit. Researchers like Alfred Kinsey and activists in the bisexual community realized very quickly: identity doesn’t fit into rigid pairs. The “bi” in bisexual began to mean attraction to more than one gender—not just men and women, but sometimes nonbinary people too. That’s why the bisexual umbrella, or “bi+,” caught on. The need to recognize a wide range of romantic attraction fueled by authentic sexual orientation grew too large for narrow definitions.

Definitions still shift. Some people gravitate toward pansexual or fluid as more expansive labels, while others claim bisexual as a symbol of defiance and belonging. The only certainty is that bisexuality won’t be boxed in by outdated science or rigid vocabulary. Words matter—they’re how we make sense of ourselves, and how we stay visible in the larger story of LGBTQIA+ evolution.

Bisexual advocacy: fighting for bisexual rights, visibility, and support

Demanding respect isn’t new for the bisexual community. In the 20th century, the bisexual rights movement started gaining traction, fueled by activists determined to carve out recognition within the broader LGBTQ movement. The Stonewall uprising in 1969, often remembered as the beginning of queer history and pride, included bisexual participants who risked just as much for their identities. Back then, bisexual advocacy looked like forming underground groups, printing newsletters, and trying to prove that romantic attraction to more than one gender is both real and valid.

By the 1970s and 1980s, dedicated organizations appeared: the National Bisexual Liberation Group in the United States, London Bisexual Group in the UK, and others helped support bisexual people and their rights worldwide. Campaigns focused on combating biphobia, demanding accurate bisexual representation, and establishing bisexual pride as a visible force during LGBTQIA+ events. Strategic alliances with lesbian, gay, transgender, and pansexual communities grew alongside these movements, reflecting the intersectional nature of the struggle for equality.

Even today, advocacy isn’t just about protests and petitions—it’s about creating spaces for bisexual culture to thrive, challenging stereotypes, and providing resources for those looking for connection, acceptance, or affirmation. As history keeps unfolding, the need for advocacy stays urgent—because too many bisexual people still fight for the basics: to be seen, heard, and believed.

Famous bisexuals in history: icons, rebels, and cultural changemakers

If you look back with clearer eyes, bisexual history is jam-packed with people who changed the world while quietly (or not so quietly) loving more than one gender. Take Virginia Woolf—her emotionally charged writing and complex personal life included passionate connections with women as well as men. John Maynard Keynes, world-renowned economist, lived openly in queer circles and openly loved men long before it was safe. American-born performer Josephine Baker not only defied racial barriers but also had relationships with both women and men, all while dazzling audiences from Paris to Harlem.

Frida Kahlo, the celebrated painter whose work pulses with personal symbolism, lived boldly when it came to matters of the heart; her lovers included men and women, muses and mentors. Fast forward a few decades and you get Freddie Mercury, who electrified audiences as Queen’s frontman while navigating a world that rarely wanted to see his bisexuality fully. What these icons share isn’t just fame—it’s the courage to exist beyond society’s comfort zones.

Their stories prove that bisexual culture, creativity, and resilience have always been here. No single biography can sum up what it feels like to be between worlds, but these figures give the rest of us proof: you’re not the first to walk this road, and you won’t be the last. Representation—however complicated—matters, because it opens closed doors and lets more people recognize themselves in the mirror of history.

What is bisexuality? Unpacking the Identity, History, and Culture