Bisexuality facts for kids

Bisexuality is a way someone feels about who they are drawn to. People who are bisexual (sometimes called bi) can feel a connection or attraction to both boys and girls, or men and women.

Some bisexual people might feel equally drawn to men and women. Others might feel a stronger connection to one gender than the other. Everyone's feelings are unique.

Think of it like a range or a spectrum. On one end, someone might only be drawn to the opposite gender (this is called heterosexuality). On the other end, someone might only be drawn to the same gender (this is called homosexuality). Many people fall somewhere in between these two points. People who are bisexual are in that "somewhere in between" area. They might be mostly drawn to one gender but also have feelings for the other.

In biology, the word "bisexual" can also mean something different. It can describe a living thing, like a plant, that has both male and female parts. For animals and people, if they have some male and female physical characteristics, they are usually called intersex.

What is Attraction?

Attraction means feeling a special connection or interest in someone. This can be a feeling of wanting to be friends with them, or wanting to spend time with them, or having deeper feelings like wanting to have a romantic relationship. When we talk about sexual orientation, we are talking about who a person feels this kind of romantic or emotional attraction towards.

Understanding Different Attractions

Everyone is different, and so are their feelings of attraction.

• Some people are only attracted to people of a different gender than themselves.
• Some people are only attracted to people of the same gender as themselves.
• And some people, like those who are bisexual, can be attracted to people of both genders.

It's important to remember that how someone feels about who they are attracted to is a part of who they are. These feelings can be strong and real for people.