Bisexuality is the capacity for physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to people of more than one gender.

Bisexuality

• Is a distinct sexual orientation like heterosexuality and homosexuality
• Is different from gender identity
• Is often misunderstood because of

There are many myths that fuel the

misunderstanding. They include the

suppositions that bisexuals are

promiscuous; that bisexuals have at

least two different gendered partners

simultaneously; that bisexuals are

"really gay or lesbian," or "really straight,"

or "half homo-sexual and half hetero-sexual."

These are neither true nor accurate. The reality is that bisexual persons are simply bisexual. We are single, celibate, or in committed relationships, just like people of all orientations. As Christian bisexuals we believe biblical ethics call each person to fidelity in relationship.

For more information see More Light on Sexual Ethics: www.mlp.org/resources/MLonSexEth.html

The creation of "male and female" in God's image [Gen. 1.27] is independent of sexual orientation.

Bi-theology affirms our God-likeness, and the claim that the wideness of divine sexuality includes us. When God identifies as "I AM WHO I AM" [Ex 3.14], this affirms for us the sacred nature of God’s call for each person to be faithful to the image of God within, including our sexuality. This faithfulness to"be" who we were created to be leads us to live lives "worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called" [Eph 4.1ff].

We believe that in Jesus' incarnation we have an example of a man who loved and engaged in justice work for women and men that consistently went beyond human-made boundaries and stereotypes.

Many, but not all, bisexuals use the nickname bi; and many use the word queer when including us in larger LGBT community. You may have been taught that "queer" is a derogatory term. However, it is being reclaimed by LGBT folks today. Please accept and use whatever name your bisexual friends

In developing programs, when

define it and educate your

audience because biphobia (the irrational fear and/or hatred of bisexual persons) appears in both heterosexual and queer communities.

Since the 1940’s and Alfred Kinsey’s work, scholars have described a continuum of sexual orientations, with homosexuality at one pole and heterosexuality at the other. Depending on the expert, up to 40 % of all persons fall between the two poles, along the continuum. As James Nelson writes, "Though most of us tend toward one or the other side, it is probable that the vast majority of us are not exclusively heterosexual or homosexual" (Body Theology, Louisville: Westminister/John Knox, 66).

As with many people on the margins, bisexuals bring some distinctive gifts to the church. Some of these are:

• the ability to build bridges between people

• a posture that invites moving beyond the constraints of western dualism

• a perspective that requires engagement with the "other"

• an embodied ability to affirm unity and embrace diversity

• an outlook that acknowledges the ambiguities of life

• an ability to integrate ideas, intellectual disciplines, and spiritual perspectives

• Don't forget to include us: say "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender [or LGBT]," not "gays and lesbians."

• Listen to us: use whatever name your bisexual friends have chosen for themselves.

• Talk to us: seek out bisexual persons, ask us your questions and hear our stories.

• Include us: in programs, panels, writings, theological discussions.

• Educate others: help teach definitions and concepts. Pastors and counselors are especially important, and we all have more to learn.

• Don't label us by the company we keep: a bisexual may have a same-sex or opposite-sex partner, but is bisexual.

www.binetusa.org -- A national organization with extensive resources on bisexuality. The vision of BiNetUSA is " a world in which gender and sexuality are celebrated in all their fluidity and complexity, and our mission is to help create that world."

www.biresource.org -- The Bisexual Resource Center is a Boston-based center that houses national resources on bisexuality.

http://www.glaad.org/org/projects/cultural/bi_visibility/index.html -- As an organization committed to promoting fair, accurate and inclusive representation as a means of challenging all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity, GLAAD, with the support of the bisexual community, has developed this resource not only for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, but for everyone interested in learning more about bisexual issues.

A "Bi" Prayer by Susan Halcomb Craig

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3.26-28).

Spirit of Life,

We are your newest bridge people,

bisexual women and men in your kindom,

at home in the middle

spanning opposing shores.

Our straight friends ask us to explain ourselves,

and our gay and lesbian friends question us

as if our place were no place.

We are pulled apart, disregarded, misunderstood.

We pray for your Spirit of Unity.

Help others leave their banks of fear

and join us in our place of oneness.

Bring healing from envy, denial, fear of difference,

and enable others to see us, eyes open to our beauty.

We pray for your gifts of love and understanding.

Help us love ourselves, and the connection we embody.

Neither gay nor straight, we are fully bisexual,

one in our beings and one in you.

Help us know and own and share our gifts

for your name's sake

and the wholeness of your creation.

We pray in your unity,

One in Christ Jesus,

Amen.