Kinsey's Sexuality Scale

The Kinsey Reports were written in the 1940s and 50s which found that there are more than the presumed 3 levels of sexuality (straight, bisexual, or gay), but that there are a multitude of sexual orientations. The research shocked the general public and the findings caused shock and outrage, both because they challenged conventional beliefs about sexuality and because they discussed subjects that had previously been taboo. The belief that heterosexuality and abstinence were both ethical and statistical norms had never before been seriously challenged.

The Kinsey scale ranked individuals from 0 to 6, with 0 being completely heterosexual and 6 completely homosexual. A 1 was considered predominantly heterosexual with only incidental homosexual experiences, a 2 mostly heterosexual with more serious homosexual experiences, a 3 completely equal homosexual and heterosexual experiences, and so on. Kinsey reported that most American males fell in the 1 to 2 range of the scale and that a large majority appeared to be at least somewhat bisexual (in the 1 to 5 range). The study also reported that 10 percent of American males surveyed were mostly or completely homosexual for at least part of their adult lives (in the 5 to 6 range).

The first report (1948) was written about their research on male sexuality and the second report (1953) was written about female sexuality research. The first report was the most astounding and shocking to the public. By the time the second report was published, Kinsey had lost a lot of respect therefore the research wasn't held with nearly as much regard.

Still today, Kinsey's Sexuality Scale is related to how we identify and helpful for understanding ourselves. It gives us valid scientific research to connect to our emotions and says that they are legitimate.

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byke

a woman who is physically, emotionally, and romantically linked with women but identifies as bisexual or as a byke in order to accomodate her occassional attraction to men. She doesn't identify as a full on lesbian but is close.

Related to Kinsey's Sexuality Scale. The Kinsey Report was written in the 1940s and 50s which found that there are more than the presumed 3 levels of sexuality (straight, bisexual, or gay), but that there are a multitude of sexual orientations. The report came up with a sliding 0-6 scale, defining "0" as completely heterosexual, all the way up to "6" as completely homosexual. A byke is a woman who would identify around a 4-5 level on the scale.

Derived from the two words "bisexual" and "dyke" = byke. Byke is sometimes used as a comical reference to deny the rigid societal regulations of sexuality. A related word that a woman might also use is "queer" in order to relate with the LGBT community.

Mara: hmm, i don't want to date most men but sometimes i find myself attracted to certain guys. i'm kind of confused.
Sara: well, your sexuality is up to you, ya know. wouldn't you agree that you are basically a lesbian, or dyke. we could call you a byke - basically you're gay but sometimes you like guys...not full on bisexual.

Anna: you're a dirty bi!
Callie: naw, im a Byke! i love the ladies...i connect with women almost always. but i reserve the right to occasionally date a man.
Anna: Ha...ok. i'll give ya that.

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