Bi-curious

Bi-curious (also heteroflexible) is a term for someone who generally identifies as heterosexual but feels or shows some interest in having a relationship with someone of the same sex. The term is also occasionally applied to a person who generally identifies as homosexual but feels or shows some interest in having a relationship with someone of the opposite sex - such persons may use the term homoflexible. The term implies that the individual has had no sexual experience – or very little – of that sort, but a person may continue to self-identify as bi-curious if they do not feel they have adequately explored these feelings, or if they do not consider their feelings to "qualify" as truly bisexual.

Description

Like almost all attempts to define sexuality, there is some dispute over when the label of bi-curious is appropriate. However, it is typically accepted that a person can be considered bi-curious if:

1. s/he identifies his/her sexual orientation as lying on a spectrum between heterosexual and bisexual; or, occasionally, s/he identifies his/her sexual orientation as lying on a spectrum between homosexual and bisexual (see Kinsey Scale and Klein Sexual Orientation Grid.)
2. s/he is seriously considering identifying as bisexual, but has yet to do so.
3. s/he is contemplating, intrigued by, or otherwise attracted to the thought of crossing the boundaries of his/her typical sexual orientation and pursuing a romantic and/or sexual relationship with a member of the same sex (if his/her sexual orientation is heterosexual) or someone of the opposite sex (if his/her sexual orientation is homosexual).

See also

• Questioning (sexuality and gender)
• bisexual until graduation
• Bisexual chic
• Bisexual erasure

External links

• The N Society: “Bi-Sexuality: The Myth and the Mayhem”
• Metroactive Features | Bisexual Community: Bi & Bi - Bisexuals have found a new dating scene online. But will this newfound [sic] community lead to a political identity?
• happen, match.com's advice center: Are all straight women bi-curious?
• Laurie Essig, Salon Magazine: “Heteroflexibility”