The Religious Institute uses this definition of bisexuality.
An enduring romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attraction toward people of more than one sex or gender.
We use this definition to highlight that bisexuality is complex. This definition acknowledges that there are more than two sexes or genders, that there is more than one way to be attracted to people, and that bisexuality is an enduring sexual orientation, just like other sexual orientations.
As we begin to think about sexuality beyond binaries, new models are needed to describe sexual orientation. While no model can perfectly capture the complexity of sexual orientation in the lived experience of people, the Religious Institute uses the AER model of sexual orientation, developed by sexuality educator Wayne Pawlowski.
A complex interplay of an individual’s affectional, erotic and romantic feelings working in concert with one another.
This model describes sexual orientation by asking open-ended questions about each aspect. Note that the answers to any of these questions could be “no one.”
For more information, download this excerpt from Bisexuality: Making the Invisible Visible in Faith Communities.