From S'pore LGBT encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Polysexuality is the attraction to multiple genders and/or sexes. A polysexual person is one "encompassing or characterized by many different kinds of sexuality."[1] Polysexual is a sexual identity "used by people who recognize that the term bisexual reifies the gender dichotomy that underlies the distinction between heterosexuality and homosexuality, implying that bisexuality is nothing more than a hybrid combination of these gender and sexual dichotomies."[2]

Scope and cultural aspects[edit | edit source]

Polysexuality is distinct from polyamory, the desire to be intimately involved with more than one person at once, or pansexuality, which is attraction to all genders and sexes. Polysexuality encompases many, but not necessarily all, sexualities.[3]

Polysexuality is a self-identifying term that is somewhat amorphous,[4] as there is a wide variety of different people who use the term to describe themselves.[5] Polysexual identity is related to gender identity and is used by some people who identify outside the binarist gender spectrum. People who refer to themselves as polysexual may be attracted to transgender people, third gender people, two-spirit people, genderqueer people, plus people who are intersex. However, polysexuality does not have to be the exclusive attraction towards non-binary genders/sexes, though it can be.Template:Citation needed People who identify as polysexual may still be attracted to one or both binary genders/sexes.

The relationship between religion and sexuality varies widely among belief systems, with some prohibiting polysexual behavior and others incorporating it into their practices.[6] Major monotheistic religions generally prohibit polysexual activity.[6]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. Simpson, John (ed.) (2009). Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, USA, ISBN 9780199563838
  2. Garnets, Linda; Kimmel, Douglas C. (2003). Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Experiences. Columbia University Press, ISBN 9780231124133
  3. Board, Mykel. "Pimple No More." In Tucker, Naomi S. (ed.) Bisexual Politics: Theories, Queries, and Visions, pp. 281-287. Routledge, ISBN 9781560238690
  4. Kaloski, Ann (1999). "Extract from 'Bisexuals Making Out with Cyborgs: Politics, Pleasure, Con/fusion' (1997)." In Storr. Bisexuality: A Critical Reader. Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9780415166607
  5. Som, Indigo Chih-Lien. "Open Letter to a Former Bisexual (or, Do I Hear "Post-Bisexual"?)." In Tucker, Naomi S. (ed.). Bisexual Politics: Theories, Queries, and Visions, pp. 93-97. Routledge , ISBN 9781560238690
  6. 6.0 6.1 Hutchins, Loraine; Williams, H. Sharif (2011). Sexuality, Religion and the Sacred: Bisexual, Pansexual and Polysexual Perspectives. Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9780415783040