Scientists Reveal That Bisexuality Might Be More Common Than We Think, With Evidence Showing Most People Fall on the Spectrum Between Heterosexual and Homosexual

A New Perspective on Bisexuality: Beyond Labels

In recent years, more and more people are identifying as bisexual, meaning they feel attraction to both men and women.

The latest official statistics show that nearly 1.8% of the UK population, or 987,000 people aged 16 and over, identify as bisexual—an increase from just 0.9% in 2018.

But some experts suggest that the real number of people experiencing both same-sex and opposite-sex attraction may be much higher than the official data reveals.

The Spectrum of Sexuality

Dr. Jason Hodgson, an anthropologist and evolutionary geneticist at Anglia Ruskin University, has an interesting perspective on this.

He believes that most people fall somewhere on the “bisexual spectrum.

” Just like some of our primate relatives in the wild, human sexuality may not be as fixed as traditionally thought. Dr. Hodgson explains that sexuality isn’t just a binary of straight and gay.

Instead, it’s a spectrum, with people potentially having experiences across both heterosexual and homosexual lines.

He goes as far as to predict that many people may be bisexual, but just not always in ways they openly identify.

“The genes that influence same-sex sexual behavior are probably the same ones that influence general social behavior,” he shared.

“People in the middle of this spectrum are often better at forming relationships in general, whether with men or women.

” Dr. Hodgson imagines this spectrum as a range, with 0 representing someone with no same-sex experiences (100% heterosexual), and 1 representing someone who only has same-sex experiences (100% homosexual).

For most of us, the number falls somewhere in between.

Bisexuality Beyond the Label

While it’s clear that a growing number of people are openly identifying as bisexual, Dr. Hodgson points out an important distinction between identifying as bisexual and actually engaging in bisexual behavior.

He suggests that the percentage of people who have experienced both same-sex and opposite-sex encounters is likely much higher than those who openly identify as bisexual.

Even people who consider themselves completely heterosexual might have had a same-sex encounter in their lives, which would place them somewhere on the bisexual spectrum behaviorally.

Looking to Nature: Bonobos as an Example

One of the most interesting examples Dr. Hodgson brings up is the bonobo, a close relative of the chimpanzee.

Bonobos are known for engaging in both same-sex and opposite-sex sexual behavior, and in their society, this plays an important social role.

According to Dr. Hodgson’s 2016 research, bisexuality in bonobos might be “the norm,” helping with group cohesion.

Just like bonobos, many other species—including dolphins, macaques, and flamingos—show bisexual behavior, highlighting how complex and natural this kind of sexuality can be across the animal kingdom.

The Role of Genetics in Sexuality

Another factor influencing human sexuality, according to Dr. Hodgson, is genetics.

He explains that sexuality tends to run in families, with multiple genes contributing to it.

While no single “gay gene” has been identified, research has shown that many genetic loci (specific spots on the genome) seem to play a role in sexual attraction.

A recent study analyzing over 470,000 individuals found that both genetic and environmental factors influence same-sex attraction.

However, the genetic factors accounted for only a small percentage of sexual attraction variation, emphasizing how complex this aspect of human identity is.

Challenging the Binary View of Sexuality

One reason bisexuality has sometimes been misunderstood is the popular but outdated view that people are either exclusively straight or exclusively gay.

This binary thinking has led to the dismissal of bisexuality as a legitimate sexual identity.

But John Sylla, president of the American Institute of Bisexuality, points out that people who strongly identify as gay or straight may be generalizing their own experiences.

In fact, some people who identify as one or the other might actually be bisexual but choose not to label themselves as such.

The notion of bisexuality, both in humans and animals, may still be underreported.

Same-sex encounters may be recorded as “homosexual” and opposite-sex encounters as “heterosexual,” leaving little room for the complexities of bisexual behavior to be recognized.

Looking Ahead: More Fluid Views on Sexuality

As we continue to explore human sexuality from both scientific and social perspectives, it’s likely that bisexuality will become less taboo and more normalized.

In fact, future studies may reveal that bisexual behavior, especially in same-sex and opposite-sex friendships, becomes more common.

As Dr. Hodgson suggests, the growing openness and understanding of bisexuality in society may lead to a shift in how we perceive sexual behavior—not as rigid labels, but as part of a natural spectrum of human identity.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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