Androgyny and Bisexuality

[gentlepen9]

This is a question that just popped up in my mind this morning and I figured I’d post it here to see what others might think.

Question:
Do you think that there’s a link between bisexuality and inner androgyny?

I just got through doing a search online on androgyny and I’ve come to realize that there are different ways in which androgyny is addressed such as psychological androgyny, spiritual androgyny or physical androgyny. But in regards to this question I’m more so looking at the link between psychological androgyny and bisexuality. The way that I understand androgyny is that it’s about being comfortable with exhibiting both characteristics/behaviors that are considered “masculine” and “feminine”. And if a person is comfortable with being both “masculine” and “feminine” could it be possible that such androgyny lends itself to one’s sexual fluidity? Could it be that our attraction to both men and women is an outward manifestation of our androgyny?

This is just some stuff that I was wondering about. If anyone has any thoughts on this I would love the input. :)

[ambi53mm]

This is a question that just popped up in my mind this morning and I figured I’d post it here to see what others might think.

Question:
Do you think that there’s a link between bisexuality and inner androgyny?
I believe if there is a link between the two then it would have to be spiritual in nature in it's foundation and that psychologal androgyny could perhaps be the result of a sort of spiritual evolution. ( I don't believe we're limited to just this lifetime.)
"A man trapped within a woman's body". "A woman trapped within a man's body". We hear these statements being made and experience fleeting moments from time to time of recognizing those moments when they occur.
I believe I've experienced being both male and female in one lifetime or another and maybe carried a little over from another lifetime into this lifetime. As a spiritual being occupying a male body all I can say in it's totaly awesome to experience having a penis and who knows what sex-card I'll draw the next time around.



And if a person is comfortable with being both “masculine” and “feminine” could it be possible that such androgyny lends itself to one’s sexual fluidity?

It is the regconition of those moments that leads me to the conclusion that sexuality is fluid and why bisexuality seems to fit my sexual self perception. I'm comfortable with both my masculent and feminite selves and live both out in my dreams from time to time. Those selves take turns at manefesting in the physical from time to time within the limitations of the body they inhabit.



Could it be that our attraction to both men and women is an outward manifestation of our androgyny?

It makes perfect sense to me :)

Ambi :)

[IndyBiFun]

That's a very interesting question.

I know one thing, when I see someone that is androgyness (is that a word??) I always do a double or triple take and notice them! Male or female androgyny is very hot and supremely sexy.

[element_of_wind]

This is a very interesting topic, and I really liked reading ambi53mm's responses to it. I'll try brining my opposite perspective to the situation.



Question:
Do you think that there’s a link between bisexuality and inner androgyny?


No.

I don't think there's necessarily a link between bisexuality and inner androgyny. For some people, the two might be linked, but not always. I think our bisexuality is thanks mostly to biological factors, whereas our conceptions of gender and which gender we best fit into are thanks more to our culture, and experiences.

Some people may feel differently about this than me. But I do know a straight transgendered person, an sort-of transgendered asexual person, so I don't think being bisexual is a result of being transgendered / androgynous.



The way that I understand androgyny is that it’s about being comfortable with exhibiting both characteristics/behaviors that are considered “masculine” and “feminine”. And if a person is comfortable with being both “masculine” and “feminine” could it be possible that such androgyny lends itself to one’s sexual fluidity?


For me, it was kind of the reverse. After I recognized myself as bisexual, I started being less concerned about whether or not my actions were considered "masculine". I still am more 'masculine' than 'feminine', but I don't worry about my gender role very much.

Probably because, once I admitted to myself that I was bisexual, I had already crossed such a powerful sexual taboo that the taboo against acting feminine seems irrelevant by comparision.

Or maybe before I admitted my bisexuality, I was afraid that if I didn't act masculine, I was really acting 'gay'. I didn't want to be 'gay', and at the same time I was secretly afraid that I was gay (or at least a little gay; it took me a while to figure out what bisexuality was)



Could it be that our attraction to both men and women is an outward manifestation of our androgyny?


I would say this is possible, except that it doesn't tie into my personal experience very well. Or the experiences of other androgynous folks who don't happen to be bisexual.

My guess would be, if there is a link, that it works backwards - people with an attraction to both men and women may be more inclined to manifest this attraction as androgyny - thus following cultural expectations, sort of. What do you reckon?



Male or female androgyny is very hot and supremely sexy.


Several times, upon seeing a person, my brain has had the following discussion with itself

Is that person a boy or a girl?
(tries to tell if the person is male or female; fails)
I don't know. But I want to have sex with it.

I don't think I like ultra-masculine and ultra-feminine personalities very much. Physically, I like androgynous looking people, and feminine looking people more than masculine ones.

[bhg08054]

...
Question:
Do you think that there’s a link between bisexuality and inner androgyny?
...
I don't have the foggiest idea. What I do know is that androgynous-looking women excite me, but not to exclusion of "womanly" women or "manly" men.

[grizzle45]

Don't forget that androgyny can be and often is internal or psychological. Maculinity and feminity are aspects of our identity and not neccessarily reflected in our outer appearance. Most of the guys I know, many of whom are heterosexuality idenitified, are very adnrogynous. I myself seem to have more feminine traits in many areas than my wife, and yet I'm very masculine in appearance and behaviour (I'm the bearish type).
I'd like to think that biseuxality is a more flexible gender identity, but I think the truth is that gender actually has little to do with it. Or rather it's much more complicated. By associating bisexuality with gender polarities, we are associating male and female with masculine and feminine and that is generally not the case. A heterosexual, "butch" man could be very feminine in personality traits, and a homosexual "effeminiate" man could be very masculine in personality traits.

[Tynary]

I think in some people there could be a link between bisexuality and androgyny. Personally I find androgynous men and women exceedingly attractive but I also so like girls who look like girls and boys who look like boys. I have a feminine nature but my mind does have a few masculine traits (usually sexual ones) but I often dress feminine but I like to dress masculine as well (stylishly masculine) I love androgynous clothes but I'm constricted by the people I know. I like androgyny but I don't know any one else who does.
I have a very open mind what I am and what I'm attracted to from reasonably masculine men through androgenous and then femine men to androgynous and masculine and feminine girls. I like it all. Its the vairity thats allures me but I wish I could display all sides of me with out the flood of critisim. I want to be found attractive but other people don't always agree with me on what is attractive. So yes there is a link sometimes for me anyway.