Definition

Monosexual: Someone who is not multisexual; someone who does not experience multi-gender and multi-sex attraction; someone who experiences exclusive attraction to similar or different genders.

People who are monosexual include gays, lesbians and heterosexuals.

People who are not monosexual are multisexuals (bi, pan, omni, fluid, poly etc.)

Misconceptions

“Monosexuality excludes nonbinary people.”
Bisexuality is attraction to genders and sexes both same/similar and different than your own. Monosexuality is attraction to genders either like or unlike your own. These can encompass as many genders as you identify with being attracted to. Nonbinary is not a trinary (or third gender), and being attracted to nonbinary people doesn't negate homosexuality or heterosexuality.

The term homosexual can imply exclusive attraction to the same sex or gender, and yet gays/lesbians can be attracted to nonbinary people (who may have a very different gender identity than their own).

Also, if we recognize that the bi in bisexual doesn’t just mean attraction to two binary genders, we can recognize that the word monosexual describes more than meets the eye.

“It groups us with our oppressors.”
some other terms that do this:
— cisgender = cis lgb people & cis straight people
— allo = lgbt people with sexual & romantic attraction & cishets with sexual & romantic attraction
— nonlesbian = non lesbian lgbt people (gay men, transhets, bi ppl etc.) & cishets
— woman = trans women & cis women
— man = trans men & cis men
— white = white lgbt people & cishet people
— poc = black people & nonblack poc (who can still perpetuate antiblackness)

Monosexual is a term with a very long historical background made to distinguish multisexuals from others. It is similar to the term nonbisexual, but it holds more meaning & and is more inclusive! it’s a huge part of bi+ history. If you feel comfortable with nonbi, you should also be fine with monosexual.

It’s very common for words to group you with your oppressors, so what’s the issue with monosexuality in particular? You’ll survive

“Why cant you just say nonbisexual (when referring to gays/lesbians and straight people?)”
Firstly, nonbisexual would exclude other (m)ultisexual (spec)trum people who don't ID as bi (pan, omni, poly, fluid etc.). Nonbi multisexuals experience similar attraction and share similar experiences as bi people, while not identifying as bisexual.

Secondly, monsexuality was and is an important and distingushing term in bisexual+ history, research, organizing etc. Such a meaningful part of bi+ history and politics does not deserve to be erased because of ignorance.

“It’s offensive/derogatory.”
Bisexuals did not make this word to talk down on people for not being attracted to all genders. It holds no negative meaning or connotation. It was made to discuss multisexual experiences.

“It says in the bi manifesto that monosexuality oppressed homosexuals”
That refers to the concept or dictate of monosexuality and how it was used within psychology, which you can read about here, not the word itself.

“Does it imply that lesbians and gays have a ‘monosexual’ privilege?”
Monosexual privilege is not real in a heterosexist and heteronormative society, to argue that would be homophobic. The word itself doesn’t imply that. "bisexuals are subjected to biphobia and bi erasure which monosexuals are not” ≠ “LG monosexuals have systemic power/privilege over bisexuals.”

“why just not say lesbians/gays/hets or etc instead of using monosexual?”
The word was made by bisexuals (decades ago) to talk about their experiences overall, not just to pin point biphobia, ignorance & such. When discussing biphobia in certain communities, more specific terms are used. But, when describing general multisexual experiences, monosexual is the word to go for.

Final Note

Monosexual is very similar to, but a more inclusive and accurate word than nonbi, it holds a very important place in bisexual history & is meaningful and necessary to bi research and organizing.

Monosexuality was solely made up for multisexuals to talk about their experiences. It’s not pejorative, it’s not to insult, it’s not to divide the community. It is just as neutral as nonbi.

If after reading this, you’re still somehow uncomfortable with the word monosexual, your feelings are valid.

However, this doesn’t mean you can police what terms bisexuals and multisexuals use to talk about their experiences, especially knowing that they hold an important place historically.

Doing so would be really harmful to multisexuals, and also very hurtful. Please respect the bi+ community.

Sources

Sources on Monosexuality:
History of The Word Monosexual
Monosexuality
Bisexuality In Psychoanalytic Theory
Experiences & Identity Formation
Assessing the Needs of Non-Monosexual Students Related to Campus LGBT Service
Between a Gay and a Straight Place: Bisexual Individuals’ Experiences with Monosexism
LGBTQ Terms and Definitions
Bisexuality, Pansexuality, Fluid Sexuality
Bi, Pan and Fluid 101

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