Heteroflexible another term for bi-curious?


 

Heterosexual-symbol-3D

Heteroflexible a new term for sexual identity or another term for bi-curious?

Recently I came across the term heteroflexible and for those who may not know the term, it means: someone who is heterosexual but has the ability to have a same-sex encounter without developing a relationship with someone of the same-sex. When I read it, it thought this is another way of stating bi-curious or restating someone who is bisexual?

 

As I thought about the term more, I realized, it was also providing an explanation as to why a heterosexual individual could have a same sex encounter in a threesome and then continue their heterosexual lifestyle. I was beginning to think this term actually had some merit and it was not another term in the cornucopia of terms describing threesomes.

 

Then I thought bi-curious means someone who show a curiosity in the same-sex and wishes to explore it. The idea of exploration without identifying as bisexual, I believe, is the hallmark of the term bi-curious and I believe, is also the hallmark of the term heteroflexible.

 

In answer to the question, is heteroflexible another term for bi-curious or is it a new term for sexual identity? I believe, it is another of the infinite terms that describes bi-curious and it does not further contribute to our understanding of sexual identity.

 

 

 

Threesome and bisexuality


English: Illustration of the double moon symbo...

A part of the function of this site is to cover the spectrum of threesomes and to offer an opinion on the issues that can arise from having a threesome. By my estimates, roughly 25% – 50% of those who visit this site are bisexual and one of the issues being faced regards addressing the issue of bisexuality while being in a heterosexual relationship. Sometimes the discovery happens after being in the relationship for a while other times the discovery happens before the relationship or the desire to be with the same sex intensifies in the relationship. The challenge, this author feels, lies in addressing the issue with your partner.

This author feels, one of the first solutions sought includes having a threesome with your partner; however, this may not always be the best solution. Other times, for whatever reason, having them there is not practical. This means other solutions need to be found such as opening up the relationship and in the worst case scenario it means ending the relationship. Since each relationship is different, this author believes there is not one magical solution that will work for every situation but a solution that works for each couple.

This author feels many marriage therapists, councillors, therapists, licensed social workers, psychiatrists, and psychologists are not adequately trained to address the issue of alternative lifestyles to be much use. Instead, this author believe, looking towards the LGBT community in their area for support may help. They might be able to recommend someone who is alternative lifestyle friendly and / or provide support in addressing the issue in the relationship.

Below is a list of web sites that may be a potential resource for information regarding support about dealing with the issue of bisexuality in a heterosexual relationship. Most sites are from the US while a few are UK based.

Please be aware all sites listed are independent of this site; therefore, we are not responsible for their content. Since the sites listed are independent of this site we cannot attest to their legitimacy. This means if you attempt to contact them, you will are assuming the risk and we recommend that you use due diligence in researching the organization / site before providing any information about yourself to them.

Finally if you are aware of a good organization or web site not listed, please contact us to have it added.

http://www.thefullwiki.org/List_of_LGBT-related_organizations

http://www.pacehealth.org.uk/

http://www.thefullwiki.org/Seattle_Sex_Positive_Community_Center

http://bisexual-support.meetup.com/

http://www.lavendervisions.com/resources.php

http://marriedgay.org/

http://www.gendernetwork.com/lgbtsupport.html

http://www.gaycenter.org/

http://www.pflagnyc.org/support/meetings

http://lgbtfriends.meetup.com/cities/us/il/chicago/

http://www.outfront.org/resources/organizations

http://lgbtfriends.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/los_angeles/

http://laglc.convio.net/site/PageServer

http://www.sfcenter.org/

http://lgbt-social-group.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/san_francisco/

http://www.polyamory.org.uk/

Analysis of open relationship study


English: A schematic showing the monogamy rela...

 

As stated in my previous blog, this author may due some analysis of an interesting study regarding open relationship. For those of you may not have read the previous blog regarding this interview study, it is a small study involving 86 gay male couples in a long-term open relationship and secure enough to discuss how the dealt with being in this type of relationship. Many came from San Francisco and California with the remainder coming from either large metropolitan states (e.g. NY or IL) or internationally.

 

The study primarily focused on how they dealt with managing their relationship from the start of discussing opening it through how it is maintained. It goes on to examine what non-monogamy looks like, the boundaries involved, and the impact it has.

 

Like any study it has limitations. Granted ethical considerations can limit the research being done, especially when it comes to sex. In addition the small sample size and limited geographical representation tends to represent open relationships in more metropolitan areas while under representing the issues couples, in open relationships face in suburban or rural areas. The fact this study examines gay male couples is not a major limitation, this author feels, since open relationships are common with gay males it offers generalizations that can be made about open relationships for heterosexual and lesbian couples.

 

The strength of this study lies in its examination of the boundaries and defining what is non-monogamy. By defining non-monogamy it covers all types of threesomes such as cuckolding, friends with benefits, threesomes and poly relationships thereby making it easier to generalize to non-gay open relationships.

 

Nonetheless, the when reading the article it becomes apparent the author interchangeably uses the words open relationship and non-monogamy. There are some like this author who feel there is a distinction between the two. This author believes the degree to which emotional monogamy exists in the relationship along with the context of the agreed sex outside of the relationship defines if the relationship is open. Likewise, the degree to which non-monogamy exists is defined by the degree to which physical and emotional monogamy exists in the relationship. Since this article deals with gay couples in an open relationship then the two terms most likely can be used interchangeably; however, a limitation of this article is the fact the author did not define the terms from the beginning and for some it can create confusion that the two different words mean the same.

 

Another strength of this article is the use of statistics and the use of participants’ answers to support points raised. For example the authors, at the beginning, talk about opening up the relationship. It provides statistics for how long it took to open the relationship and then drew on some of the comments made to further support their statements.

 

A third strength of this article is the time it devotes to boundaries and the extent involvement occurs. The section on boundaries specifically relates to gay couples in an open relationship, it can provide heterosexual couples who are struggling with the concept of boundaries insight on boundaries. Likewise the section regarding involvement. It is a detailed section that is well worth reading since it can provide insight for non-gay couples wanting to learn more about the risks of emotional involvement.

 

Overall the article is constructed in a very logical and understandable way. The one area, for future research, should be is how the couples arrived at the decision to open up the relationship. Granted the authors states there is no road map to non-monogamy but does not support the claim, to the extent they do with other parts of the article. There is some mention about how the open relationship started but not the events leading up to that point.

 

Another area for consideration is a comparison of heterosexual couples with gay male and lesbian couples who are in an open relationship. By doing this, it will help others to understand some of the common principles that underpin an open relationship. Likewise those who struggle with being in an open relationship versus those who are secure with it. While there are some limitations to this article, this author feels there is useful information for anyone wanting to further understand open relationships.

 

 

 

Does a male agreeing to mmf indicates he is bisexual?


Fresco erótico de Pompeya from the Thermae

Does a male who wants a mfm means he is bisexual?

The journey towards having a threesome is lined with detours and delays due to questions that need answering. There is no formula in having a successful threesome nor is there the correct answer to any question being asked. One question that is asked is my husband / boyfriend bisexual if they ask for a two man threesome.

Before proceeding it is important to define three terms: straight, bisexual, and homosexuality. Straight for the most part means a preference for someone of a different gender and the ability to form lasting relationships with them. This definition does not exclude limited same sex encounters, provided no lasting relationship forms.

Next, bisexuality is difficult to define as a sexual preference since it is controversial.  The controversy stems from the debate if someone can be bisexual instead of gay or straight. In this article bisexuality is defined someone who has had sex with both genders along with the ability to form relationships with both genders. Furthermore, the degree to which or the frequency of those relationships are not at issue. Therefore this definition excludes someone who is exploring their sexuality or someone who is for the most part gay.

Finally homosexual, unlike someone who is either straight or bisexual, shows a preference for someone who is of the same gender. Essentially this means they show very little sexual desire for sex with someone who is not the same gender as themselves. Also, it means very few threesomes with a heterosexual couple will involve homosexual activity.

This leads to the questions if a male suggests a two male threesome does it mean they are bisexual or homosexual? Examining the limited research that has been done this topic, the majority of threesome encounters is a two male threesome with either no or limited male on male activity. This is due to the fact that male bisexuality is not readily tolerated in most threesomes and it is an activity that is typically discouraged. It is this author’s belief the reason that male bisexuality is not well tolerated is due to the higher incidence of HIV / AIDs being associated with certain male on male activity and the community, as a whole, discouraging high risk behavior.

Now, if he suggests a two male threesome that could allow some bi activity between the other male and him this could show that he has some bi-curious interest and that he would like to explore this side of his sexuality. Bi-curious means there is an interest but it has not been sufficiently explored to allow him to reach a decision. The reason for wanting to explore is infinite. A possible reason may be the activity is strongly discouraged by religion and being discouraged may peak his curiosity to understand.  Another reason, as he ages he is finding he has an interest in men some men and wants to understand it. Nonetheless, it is not a definitive indication that he is gay or bi. It is a decision that the two of you will have to make in regards to male on male activity in a threesome and the limits of it.

On the other hand if you begin noticing other signs, such as:

• Visitation to gay sites

• Decrease in sexual activity

• Feeling that of distance between the two of you

• Defensiveness when confronted about concerns

• Text messages, photos, unfamiliar names, or new mobile / cellular phone indicating this type of behavior

• Emails that show plans for meeting or expressing desire in activity

• Recent change in behavior and / or attitudes towards male bisexuality / homosexuality

• Unexplained purchases being made

• Unexpected travel

• Unexplained or unexpected changes in time leaving or returning from work

• Attempts to cover up activities

Your next step should be to discuss with him what you know including what you have observed and what you suspect. This should be at a time when there are minimal distractions and conducive to a discussion of this type. Allow him the opportunity to respond, listen to his response and take the necessary time to consider his response before taking any further actions. Therefore to answer the question, a suggestion of a two male threesome is not, in and of itself, clear sign that your husband is bisexual or gay. Nonetheless it could show it if there are more signs.

In contrast, what if it not him suggesting having a mmf threesome. It may mean he is a realist whereby he realizes that statistically if he wants a threesome then having a mmf threesome is much more likely to occur than a fmf threesome. If wanting a threesome, regardless of the type, then the motivating factor for him his wish to have a threesome.

Nonetheless for some it leaves the question, if he is straight then why would he agree to have a mfm threesome? The answer, this author feels, lies in the act itself. A fmf tends to be fundamentally different than a mmf threesome. From a psycho-biology perspective sex for a woman is about producing an offspring and finding a male that is going to be a good provider. Once she finds him she will invest the time to keep him. This means she can become protective of her relationship and will fight off anyone that is a threat to her relationship with him. For a threesome to occur, the invited woman must not be perceived as being a threat to her. This implies there is at least a physical attraction between the two and implies the second woman, if the threesome is to be successful, is more sexually submissive. It also implies in a fmf threesome female on female contact is more likely to occur due to the attraction .

Whereas for a two male threesome the issue becomes the second male’s compatibility with the couple. This implies the second male, unlike the second female in a fmf, has a role and not a social order. His role is to enhance the enjoyment of sex for both and in particular the female. Unlike a fmf a mmf is more likely not to involve male-on-male contact. This is in part because male-on-male activity is socially discouraged and this author believes, a male can see another male as a team-member and not a threat to the relationship. Hence, a two male threesome focus can become providing the female with sexual pleasure than an underlying attraction, at some level, for each male.

In this situation, it is possible the male wants the threesome to offer sexual enjoyment for his partner and to be the one who provides it for her. This means his agreement to have a two male threesome is not based on his attraction to the male but the want to make his female partner happy. Therefore a male agreeing to have a mmf threesome does not necessarily mean he is bisexual but is considering the happiness of his partner.