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Bi-curious

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Flyer22 Frozen (talk | contribs) at 02:15, 27 June 2020 (Actually, looking at the the Merriam-Webster source, I do see that one definition it gives is "curious about exploring or experimenting with bisexuality." But it first notes that the topic concerns people who are curious about experimenting with the sex they usually are not interested in. And so should we. That is clearer since people who use this label identify as heterosexual (usually) or gay/lesbian. And I've remembered this article is currently only about a term. So back to "is term for."). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Bi-curious is a term for a person, usually someone who is a heterosexual, who is curious or open about engaging in sexual activity with a person whose sex differs from that of their usual sexual partners.[1][2][3] The term is sometimes used to describe a broad continuum of sexual orientation between heterosexuality and bisexuality.[4] Such continuums include mostly-heterosexual or mostly-homosexual, but these can be self-identified without identifying as bisexual.[5] The terms heteroflexible and homoflexible are mainly applied to bi-curious people, though some authors distinguish heteroflexibility and homoflexibility as lacking the "wish to experiment with sexuality" implied by the bi-curious label.[6]

Etymology

The term started becoming popular after 1984, according to Merriam-Webster, but The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English and Oxford Dictionaries’ Lexico claim that the term was coined in 1990.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Definition of BI-CURIOUS". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2019-09-21. Characterized by an openness to or curiosity about having sexual relations with a person whose sex differs from that of one's usual sexual partners : curious about exploring or experimenting with bisexuality.
  2. ^ Wilson G, Rahman Q (2008). Born Gay: The Psychobiology of Sex Orientation. Peter Owen. p. 15. ISBN 178450663X. The term 'bi-curious' refers to that fact that many people who are basically straight might consider an occasional homosexual adventure simply to broaden their horizons.
  3. ^ Holleb ML (2019). The A-Z of Gender and Sexuality: From Ace to Ze. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. p. 43. ISBN 178450663X. Someone who considers themselves heterosexual but has a sexual or romantic 'curiosity' toward the same gender.
  4. ^ Frank, Katherine (2008). "'Not Gay, but Not Homophobic': Male Sexuality and Homophobia in the 'Lifestyle'". Sexualities. 11 (4): 435–454. doi:10.1177/1363460708091743.
  5. ^ Savin-Williams, Ritch C.; Joyner, Kara; Rieger, Gerulf (2012). "Prevalence and Stability of Self-Reported Sexual Orientation Identity During Young Adulthood". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 41 (1): 103–110. doi:10.1007/s10508-012-9913-y. PMID 22302504. S2CID 43225099.
  6. ^ Smorag, Pascale (14 May 2008). "From Closet Talk to PC Terminology: Gay Speech and the Politics of Visibility". Transatlantica. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  7. ^ "What Does It Mean To Be "Bi-Curious"?". Refinery29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)