Polysexuality
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| - | '''Polysexuality''' refers to people who are attracted to more than one [[gender]] but do not wish to identfy as [[bisexual]] because it implies that there are only two [[heteronormativity|bianary genders]]. Polysexuals are those people [[sexual attraction|sexually attracted]] to many different sorts of ideas and characteristics. The term is also used as an appellation for [[relationship]]s that are non-[[monogamy|monogamous]], but not particularly intimate, polysexuals being those who engage in such relationships. The term often has a negative connotation in contrast to ''[[polyamory]].'' | ||
| - | Polysexuality is a self-identifying term that is somewhat [[amorphous]], as there is a wide variety of different people who use the term to describe themselves. | + | '''Polysexuality''' is the attraction to more than one [[gender]] or [[sex]] and should not be confused with [[polyamory]], the practice of having multiple partners. |
| - | ==As sex with multiple partners== | + | ==Gender definition== |
| - | Frequently, but not necessarily, the term is used by people in committed relationships who also engage in sexual activities outside of their primary relationship. | + | When referring to sexual attraction to multiple genders, polysexuality should not be confused with [[pansexuality]]; ''pan'' meaning ''all'', and ''poly'' meaning ''many'', though not necessarily all. Polysexuality is a self-identifying term that is somewhat amorphous, as there is a wide variety of different people who use the term to describe themselves. |
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| - | Although polysexuals may participate in sexual activities with multiple partners, the term does not also necessarily imply bisexuality or homosexuality. Some polysexuals are bisexual or homosexual, and many are not. Whether they participate in [[group sex]] activities is another factor that is not mandatory to the term. For example, [[swinging]] lifestyle participants would be a category of polysexual people or activities. | + | |
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| - | It seems apparent that the core belief of people who are polysexual is that it is not "wrong" to share their lives with other people within and without primary relationships, and that society does not have any claim on categorizing their behavior in a negative fashion. | + | |
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| - | Also implied within the term is that polysexual activity is not considered [[cheating]]. A person who has sex outside their primary relationship, ''i.e.'', affairs, [[one-night stand]]s, etc., without the knowledge of their partner may be driven by polysexual urges, but this is not generally what is referred to as ''polysexual'' behavior. | + | |
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| - | The term is not synonymous with the appellation ''[[polyamorous]]''. Polyamorous implies there is an emotional side to the intimate relationships that people share. That emotional connection may or may not be a part of a person’s expression of polysexuality. However, many polysexual people are also polyamorous. Their primary relationships may be [[Triad (relationship)|triad]]s (or more) instead of the conventional couple relationship paradigm which society attempts to enforce on all. | + | |
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| - | Because of societal constraints, polysexual people in general attempt to keep their lifestyle and activities discreet or secret. In many countries, it would not be unusual for many people to lose their jobs if this aspect of their life came to light. There are several instances of people losing their children though custody battles, etc., when in all other aspects they were exemplary parent. Due to the reality of societies’ ostracization, there is no clear picture on how common this belief and behavior is. | + | |
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| - | In the past fifteen years, many different websites on the Internet have come into being to allow and assist polysexual people to contact each other in a safe, discreet manner. | + | |
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| - | Whether the presence of Internet contact websites has merely provided additional visibility to the polysexual community, or whether it has substantially increased the frequency of this behavior is open to debate. It is my opinion that, the increase of opportunity related to the Internet must have increased the number of people who have experimented with polysexuality. It allows people and couples with interest in this aspect of life to connect with others, particularly in those smaller communities where it would have been extremely difficult to acknowledge their interest. As such, it is also highly likely that there has been an increase of the number of people who have a polysexual lifestyle. | + | |
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| - | In several respects, polysexual relationships are similar to monogamous heterosexual or homosexual relationships. They are each unique, based on the individuals involved. These relationships may be permanent, or may fail over time just like the reality of all couples. Many polysexual people believe they have an advantage in that successful relationships will not suffer from their partners cheating on them. | + | |
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| - | ==As attraction to multiple genders== | + | |
| - | Definition: Manifesting a sexual orientation once (and occasionally still) identified as "pansexual," [[Pansexuality]] which does not limit affection, romance or sexual attraction to any one gender or sex, and recognizes that there are more than just males and females on the expansive continuum of human sexualities. [http://www.uwo.ca/pridelib/family/glossary/glossary11.html.com Pride Canada] | + | |
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| - | According to Susan Pell [http://www.thirdspace.ca/articles/pell.htm ThirdSpace Website] (November, 2002), in an article she published titled, "Inescapable Essentialism: Bisexually-Identified Women's Strategies in the Late 80s and Early 90s," <blockquote> | + | |
| - | Other terms for sexual multiplicity also have greater disruptive potential than bisexuality, such as polysexuality and pansexuality [[Pansexuality]]. Though these may be jargon-ridden,[15] they move beyond the prefixes of a mono- or bi- sexuality. They imply a diffusion of eroticizism with no reduction to categorical binaries or stable identities. So, for those who seek a sexual liberation for minorities, perhaps the banner should read "pan" or "poly" and skip the binaries and essentialism of "bi." In finding a new word or model to conceptualize sexuality, I think we need to consider how new technology will change our understanding of desire and erotic practices, as Kaloski questions:"What can bisexuality mean when latex and phonesex and cybersex are displacing sexual difference and producing new erogenous zones?" (210). Is this pointing to polysexuality? Pansexuality? Who is to say? The future possibilities of an open sexuality are conceivable, but it is time we claim sexuality as a sense of knowing ourselves, our desires and not as an identity politic. As Som directs, "We can't live bisexual; we have to live our lives. I say get on with it" (97). Board criticizes the use of pansexual and polysexual as both too "jargony" and incomprehensible for many people (285), however, I think that it is better to introduce new words than try to recycle old ones, which for many people will be just as exclusive. | + | |
| - | </blockquote> | + | |
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| - | ==References== | + | |
| - | * [http://www.xeromag.com/fvpolyglossary.html Poly Dictionary] | + | |
| - | * Board, Mykel. "Pimple No More." In Tucker. 281-287. | + | |
| - | * Kaloski, Ann. "Extract from 'Bisexuals Making Out with Cyborgs: Politics, Pleasure, Con/fusion' (1997)." In Storr. 201-210. | + | |
| - | * Som, Indigo Chih-Lien. "Open Letter to a Former Bisexual (or, Do I Hear "Post-Bisexual"?)." In Tucker. 93-97. | + | |
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Revision as of 09:08, 9 July 2011
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Polysexuality is the attraction to more than one gender or sex and should not be confused with polyamory, the practice of having multiple partners.
Gender definition
When referring to sexual attraction to multiple genders, polysexuality should not be confused with pansexuality; pan meaning all, and poly meaning many, though not necessarily all. Polysexuality is a self-identifying term that is somewhat amorphous, as there is a wide variety of different people who use the term to describe themselves.
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Polysexuality" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
