Attracted to or sexually interested in people of more than one gender; bisexual, or having characteristics of both sexes.
From Latin 'ambi-' (both) + 'sexual' (from 'sexus'). This term emerged in 20th-century sexology and psychology literature as an alternative to or refinement of 'bisexual.'
While 'bisexual' is the more common word today, 'ambisexual' emphasizes the 'both' part more literally—some older psychology texts used it to describe people who could function in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships.
This word emerges from 20th-century medical and psychological discourse that pathologized sexual orientation and gender non-conformity. The 'ambi-' prefix (both/either) combined with 'sexual' reflects clinical frameworks that viewed bisexuality through a medicalized, often stigmatizing lens rather than as a natural identity.
Use neutrally to describe attraction to multiple genders without implying pathology or non-normativity. Prefer identity-affirming language: ask individuals how they self-identify rather than applying clinical terminology.
["bisexual","attracted to multiple genders","queer"]
Bisexual and non-monosexual individuals have historically been invisible or pathologized in medical language. Honor self-identified terminology and recognize bisexual activists' reclamation of language on their own terms.
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