For many decades the bisexual community has reclaimed the word "bisexuality" to mean "an attraction to more than one gender"



Bisexual Organizations have been using this definition for many years now, and we request that the dictionary reflects this definition. A definition used by bisexuals, for bisexuals. We request that we be the ones to define our own sexuality.



For a reference of bisexual organizations, resource centers, activists, and other campaign's definitions, please see below:



Bisexual Organizations/Resource Centers:

- BiNet USA

(http://binetusa.blogspot.com/2014/03/binet-usa-bisexual-media-guide.html)

“Bisexual - A person whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to other people of various sexes and/or gender identities. Individuals may experience this attraction in differing ways and degrees over their lifetime.”



-Bisexual Resource Center: USA (http://www.biresource.net/BRC_Brochure_2010.pdf)

“The BRC uses bisexual as an umbrella term for people who recognize and honor their potential for sexual and emotional attraction to more than one gender. We celebrate and affirm the diversity of identity and expression regardless of labels.”



- The American Institute of Bisexuality

(http://bisexual.org/am-i-bi/)

“A bi person has the capacity for romantic and/or sexual attraction to more than one gender.”



- Bisexual Index: UK

(http://www.bisexualindex.org.uk/index.php/AmIBisexual)

“This is how we define it: A bisexual is someone who is attracted to more than one gender. You might care about the gender of your partner a lot, a little, or not at all - but their gender doesn’t prevent you from being attracted to them.”



- Bi UK (http://www.biuk.org/)

“Bisexuality (or bi) is commonly defined as being attracted to both men and women. However, many members of bisexual communities tend to prefer the definition: ‘a changeable sexual and emotional attraction to people of any sex, where gender may not be a defining factor’: the emphasis here is on being attracted to more than one gender or being attracted to people regardless of gender.”



-Toronto Bisexual Network

(http://www.torontobinet.org/bi-culture.html)

“Bisexuality is the potential to feel attracted to and to engage in sexual and/or romantic relationships with people of any sex or gender.”



Bisexual Activists:

- Robyn Ochs

(http://robynochs.com/quotes/)

“I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I have in myself the potential to be attracted - romantically and/or sexually - to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.”



Other Campaigns:



Human Rights Campaign

(http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/glossary-of-terms)

“Bisexual | A person emotionally, romantically, sexually and relationally attracted to more than one sex and/or gender, though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.”



As you can see, the bisexual community is currently defining their sexuality as an attraction to more than one gender. This is an inclusive term that reflects the diverse nature of gender identity, and it includes those who do not identify as one of the binary genders (male and female). It is inclusive of our genderqueer, transgender, and intersex peers. We ask that you please change your definition of bisexuality to an "attraction to more than one gender" as this reflects the definition the bisexuality community has been using.



Thank you