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mauijanedoe

What is your sexual identity?

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A few recent or reactivated threads about labels got me to thinking about the different ways we see ourselves and how that sometimes differs from labels that others apply.

 

In the context of swinging, I call myself bisexual. It's easily understood by other swingers and SLS even has a handy category named just that. However, out in the world, with kinksters or during discussions of gender politics in the LGBT community, I've identified as pansexual ever since I first heard the word,. It's the one that fits best and is more appropriately nuanced, plus it signals a certain non-binary approach to sexual expression.

 

When we created our SLS profile, Mr. Doe, given a choice of straight, gay, bisexual or bi-curious, shrugged his shoulders and said, "Not straight, not really bi, so whatever." I picked bi-curious for his as it's less definitive in other people's minds but still indicates flexibility.

 

So, what do you call yourself?

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Looking for a guy for us to play with, I will identify myself as bi. I'm not bisexual in the aspect that I could "love" a guy. But, at least it opens the door for guys that don't identify themselves as "straight" but definitely not bisexual. Usually discussions during the get to know phase bring about common ground. I'm always surprised to find so many guys like me that love the sexual aspect of bisexuality without the emotional aspect ever coming into play. I hate the way it sounds but I guess I would be in the category of orally bi.

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I call myself straight in our profile because I am not bi and no longer curious...but I do say that I am bi-playful and if in the right mood with the right lady, I will go full out. I have to say this is most usually in an ffm situation and I adore pleasing another woman with my husband. He's ok with g/g play, but it's not his holy grail - he actually prefers mfm (lucky for me, so do I).

 

We used to list my sexual preference as bi-curious, but changed it because we received a lot of emails from couples who were really interested in g/g play and not really swapping at all. We're in this together and unless and until we get to know someone, we play together and expect everyone to be involved.

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You know, I've thought a lot about this over the years. I originally thought I was just curious about cocks or just very open-minded. Then I sort of drifted into explaining that I was just bi-curious.

 

But the truth is, I've had sex with men and enjoyed it. I still don't find men physically attractive like I do women but I've had sex with men and enjoyed it.

 

So why not admit that I'm bisexual because that's exactly what it means..., you can enjoy sex with either gender! It doesn't mean that you're bi-romantic or bi-relationship or bi-soulmate..., it's that you can enjoy sex with either gender! The key part of the word is 'sexual'!

 

It's like you and your wife swinging with another couple or group of people. It doesn't mean you two are polyamorous, it just means you enjoy having sex with other people.

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I generally use bisexual, although pansexual is really starting to grow on me. I'll continue to use bi for swinging situations, but I've started using pan in poly/kink/other situations. Gender/sex isn't really all that important to me; personality is. Pansexual has always felt more political to me (making a statement against the gender binary) which is why it has taken me some time to accept it. Kind of like using queer instead of any specific label - which I'm still not a fan of for myself, although it doesn't bother me when others do it.

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I say bisexual. I'm heavily into women, so that is putting it mildly, but, I'm not gay, so that doesn't fit. I do find it alternatively amusing/fascinating/frustrating at how many women call themselves bisexual, but really only to kiss or touch a boob or only do it for the guy and have zero actual interest in it. I wish there was not so much pressure on women to be bi in the scene.

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I'm bisexual and I'm just as selective when it comes to men or women. All the other terms I could probably identify with depending on different people and how attractive I am to him/her. Why I use bisexual because with the right woman I'm full on, just as much with the right man, I'm full on. No matter what, it still takes the right person. I haven't looked up all the other definitions of all the other terms, I prefer to keep it basic and not overthink it too much.

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I'm bisexual and I'm just as selective when it comes to men or women. All the other terms I could probably identify with depending on different people and how attractive I am to him/her. Why I use bisexual because with the right woman I'm full on, just as much with the right man, I'm full on. No matter what, it still takes the right person. I haven't looked up all the other definitions of all the other terms, I prefer to keep it basic and not overthink it too much.

 

I love the simplicity of just picking a term and going with it.

 

I'm more selective with women, even though that's where my strongest attractions are. Somehow that just adds up to making me pickier about women than I am with men.

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In the context of swinging, I call myself bisexual. It's easily understood by other swingers and SLS even has a handy category named just that. However, out in the world, with kinksters or during discussions of gender politics in the LGBT community, I've identified as pansexual ever since I first heard the word,. It's the one that fits best and is more appropriately nuanced, plus it signals a certain non-binary approach to sexual expression.

 

We too like the term pansexual even though it's unofficial. We've been attracted to lots of different types of people either in person or watching a porn clip. She's eaten a girl out and he's given head and even had a friend finish in his mouth (which she found REALLY hot). We've enjoyed watching movies with all styles of sexuality. It just seems easier to simplify it with pansexual :)

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Guest screaminggood

Bi-furious...because I love being with other women, but am not willing to give up my man for it.

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I like the comment about "keeping it simple", therefore my profiles list me as bi-sexual.

 

I have, laughingly, labeled myself tri-sexual...because I'll try anything once (and repeat those I really enjoy).

 

I got a real laugh out of someone's tag as "spaghetti-bi", as in " Like spaghetti, she's straight until she gets wet"!

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Guest DJKane

I would be bi-curious. I would be down to try stuff with another guy if there was a female still involved, I'm not sure I would be ok with just a guy one on one with me though.

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I am flat out bisexual. Have always been. Can honestly answer the question "When did you first realize you were bisexual?" with the reply that I knew back when I first started having junior high crushes and my crushes were on both sexes. It was never about the sex of the person, it was about who the person is. That being said, I am not sexually attracted to all women, or to all men, for that matter.

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It was never about the sex of the person, it was about who the person is. That being said, I am not sexually attracted to all women, or to all men, for that matter.

 

Very well said! Since I began considering sexual relationships with men, the thing that surprised me is how so many men think it's only about the sex acts. With girls/women, and even in swinging, it was about getting to know each other first to make sure there's a mutual attraction. If I don't really like a man, like with women or couples for my wife and I, then I really don't want to have sex with him.

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What do I call myself? The smart ass in me says, "Mrs. Sunbuckus."

 

I had to...I'm sorry.

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What do I call myself? The smart ass in me says, "Mrs. Sunbuckus."

 

I had to...I'm sorry.

 

Yes, well, of course you're forgiven. Although you and BeStylnIT have to sit in the corner for five minutes... ;)

 

This is probably a topic for another thread, but I find it interesting that several people have clarified that whatever they call themselves, it doesn't mean they're interested in all men/women. I don't think I've ever heard a disclaimer like that from either straight or gay folks, but this isn't the first time it's come up from people who identify somewhere between those poles.

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:blush: Well, can it be an interesting 5 minutes in time out? ;)

 

I've noticed that distinction as well, maui. For some reason, it seems that it is assumed that if someone is attracted to both genders that they must be attracted to everyone. Of course, they are just as picky about who they are attracted to. Maybe it's because they have a wider range of attraction that reaches beyond just one gender that it might seem that the range of physical attraction for them might be more lax? Does that make sense?

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