Put your knowledge to the test
Myths vs Facts
Bisexual people are attracted to everyone.
Myth
Bisexual people are attracted to everyone.
People who are bisexual can experience romantic and/or sexual attraction to persons of more than one sex and/or gender. But this doesn’t mean they find everyone attractive. Emotional and romantic preferences come into play just like they do for people who are gay or straight.
Not many people are bisexual.
Myth
Not many people are bisexual.
Recent Gallup polls indicate that 4 percent of the adult population in the US identify identify as bisexual—that’s roughly 10 million people. There’s a good chance that someone you know is bisexual.
Bisexuality is just a phase. Everyone is either gay or straight.
Myth
Bisexuality is just a phase. Everyone is either gay or straight.
Bisexuality is a unique sexual orientation, distinct from gay or straight.
A person's biological sex is defined by their visible body parts.
Myth
A person's biological sex is defined by their visible body parts.
There is more to biological sex than meets the eye. It's actually a combination of internal and external genitalia, hormones, chromosomes and other characteristics like breasts or body hair.
Learn more about biological sex.
Everyone is born distinctly male or female.
Myth
Everyone is born distinctly male or female.
In reality not everyone is born male or female. Some people are born with an intersex variation---- they have biological sex characteristics that don’t fit easily into either category.
Australia was the first country to offer legal protection to those born intersex.
Fact
Australia was the first country to offer legal protection to those born intersex.
Australia was the first country to “fully and authentically” recognize people who are intersex in anti-discrimination legislation. However, even with this protection intersex people still face challenges.
Some people are gay due to social influences.
Myth
Some people are gay due to social influences.
Studies have shown that neither society nor parenting can change a person's sexual orientation. Upbringing can play a role in how a person expresses their identity.
The odds of being gay increase when a child has multiple older brothers.
Fact
The odds of being gay increase when a child has multiple older brothers.
Many studies have shown that the odds of a man being gay increase when he has one or more older brothers. If a man has four older brothers --- instead of having no older brothers --- the likelihood of being gay increases by 4%.
People who are gay have children who are gay.
Myth
People who are gay have children who are gay.
Studies show that just because a parent is lesbian, gay, or bisexual doesn't mean that they will have a child who is gay.
All transgender people are either gay or lesbian.
Myth
All transgender people are either gay or lesbian.
Transgender people have the same range of sexual orientations that other people have. Transgender people can be straight, gay, bisexual or any other sexual identity.
All transgender people undergo surgery to change their body.
Myth
All transgender people undergo surgery to change their body.
Each transgender person has a personal and unique journey. A transgender person’s identity does not depend on whether they have had surgery or if they are taking hormones.
There is biological evidence to support transgender identities.
Fact
There is biological evidence to support transgender identities.
Research into the science of transgender identity is relatively new but current studies point to a biological basis.
Sexual orientation is the same as sexual attraction.
Myth
Sexual orientation is the same as sexual attraction.
A person’s sexual orientation is defined by many factors, including their sexual and romantic attractions, their behavior and their personal identity.
Men make up the majority of the LGB population.
Myth
Men make up the majority of the LGB population.
Population studies estimate more women identify as Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual. As many as 4.8% of women and 3.4% of men between the ages of 18 and 44 identify as LGB.
Sexual orientations are easily categorized. You’re either gay or straight.
Myth
Sexual orientations are easily categorized. You’re either gay or straight.
Studies going back more than sixty years show that sexual attraction occurs along a continuum and many people have sexual orientations other than gay or straight.
Sexual identity and gender identity are basically the same thing.
Myth
Sexual identity and gender identity are basically the same thing.
Your gender identity does not determine who you’re romantically, emotionally or sexually attracted to.
Many cultures recognize 3, 4 or 5 different genders — or even more.
Fact
Many cultures recognize 3, 4 or 5 different genders — or even more.
The variety of genders around the world is almost limitless. Myanmar recognizes a third gender that consists of males who dress and act like women. And it’s not limited to far-flung nations. A tradition In Hawaii brings this conversation closer to home.
The concept of multiple genders ---- beyond just man and woman --- is a new phenomenon.
Myth
The concept of multiple genders ---- beyond just man and woman --- is a new phenomenon.
People who claim a gender other than man or woman have existed throughout history. It’s only recently that a vocabulary has been created in the English language to communicate gender identities beyond man or woman.
Everyone is either a man or a woman.
Myth
Everyone is either a man or a woman.
Some people identify as something other than a man or a woman. Other identities include agender, bigender, and genderfluid.
Some people do not experience any form of sexual attraction towards others.
Fact
Some people do not experience any form of sexual attraction towards others.
Persons who are asexual may not experience any form of sexual attraction toward others. People who identify as asexual may or may not experience emotional, physical, or romantic attraction.
Learn more about those who identify as LGBTQ+
It is possible to be attracted to persons of more than one gender.
Fact
It is possible to be attracted to persons of more than one gender.
A person who is bisexual, pansexual or omnisexual has the potential to experience emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to persons of more than one gender.
Learn more about what it means to be pansexual and other LGBTQ+ identities.