These 5 Things Don’t Make You Any Less Bisexual

1. Being in a monogamous relationship.

Entering a committed relationship with another person doesn’t mean you’re choosing a side. Bisexuals are allowed to settle down with a partner without being quizzed about their identity or told their truth doesn’t matter. Remember, a person’s sexuality doesn’t change based on who’s sleeping in bed beside them. You’re bisexual when you’re single, when you’re casually dating, and when you’re in a monogamous relationship with one special person.

2. Coming out to only a few people — or no one at all.

You don’t have to tell the world you’re bisexual if you’re not ready (or if you would be placing yourself in a dangerous situation). You’re allowed to move at your own pace. Don’t feel pressured to come out before you’re ready. Whether you want to tell the world, you want to wait, or you only want to tell a select few people you trust, that’s perfectly fine. It’s entirely up to you.

3. Not having experience with one of (or any of) the genders you’re attracted to.

Your sexual history is no one else’s business. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve kissed someone, slept with someone, or had a serious relationship with someone. Your identity is valid, no matter what you’ve experienced in the past. You don’t have to prove your bisexuality to anyone. You know how you feel, and you know it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. They’re not inside your head or your body. They don’t know what you’re experiencing. Only you can know yourself.

4. Not relating to stereotypes.

Bisexuals aren’t more likely to cheat on their partners. They aren’t greedy. They aren’t going through a phase. And they aren’t automatically interested in three-ways. But you know that already, which is why it’s important to note even smaller assumptions shouldn’t be taken too seriously. You might feel excluded if you’ve never sported a bisexual haircut or can actually sit right in chairs — but those little things don’t actually determine your sexuality. No two people are the same, so don’t feel bad if you can’t relate to the bisexual content you commonly see across the internet.

5. Getting mistaken as straight, even when you’ve repeatedly announced you’re not.

Some people are going to assume you’re straight because of your relationship, because of your looks, or because they assume straight is the default for every single person they meet. Although it’s frustrating to come out over and over again, and frustrating when others aren’t taking your identity seriously, it doesn’t make you any less bisexual. You are who you are. No one can change that.