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We are typically taught to fit into a certain sexual category. “Straight” is the orientation that’s usually considered the “right” one, but what if people don’t fit into this category? What if they fluctuate between categories? In fact, what if they don’t feel like they fit into any category? In other words, what about bisexuals?

Photo by Mat Linek

Bisexuals like me often have to cover up their true desires. Many attitudes toward bisexuals continue to be both negative and prejudicial. Some believe that those who claim to be sex might be seen as having been gay all along. “Bisexuality doesn’t exist,” our friends might tell us. 

Or, bisexuals might be seen as trying to take advantage of the benefits of another group. For instance, if a bisexual guy was to date a girl, many people in the gay community might perceive him as seeking freedom from heterosexual privilege. 

It can also be difficult for bisexuals to be taken seriously. We often have to deal with being seen as a “fun time” or an “experiment,” rather than a person who may be seeking a real relationship. Even more seriously, we are often viewed as being promiscuous and “bedroom hoppers.” Because we are attracted to both sexes, some people believe that once we’re in a relationship with a guy, we’ll want to have sex with a girl, and vice versa.

We’re also seen as unable to commit, which is ridiculous. There is just as much of a possibility that a bisexual may be cheated on by his or her girlfriend or boyfriend, as a straight or gay person. These stereotypes have led to false ideas, such as bisexuals are the reason why lesbian communities.       

Bisexuality can provoke reactions—ranging from confusion to discomfort to outright hostility—from both the gay and straight communities. 

Sexuality is fluid, stated Alfred Kinsey, a human sexuality researcher who did much of his work in the 1940’s and 1950’s. One behavioral study he conducted revealed that 46 percent of men and 12 percent of women have had both gay or lesbian and heterosexual experiences. Kinsey also developed the Kinsey Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale—a rating scale, ranging from zero to seven, in which zero meant exclusively straight and seven meant exclusively gay. He found that very few people identified as exclusively gay or straight. This indicates that most people feel some level of attraction to both the same and opposite sex. According to Kinsey, bisexuality is more “normal” than many of us think!

Bisexuals Seek the Safety to Experiment

As teens approach adulthood, we begin to make more choices that shape our identities. Many of us who are bisexual start experimenting in high school.  Although it is a lot safer today for the bi-curious teen to sexually experiment than even a few years ago, many are still victims of abuse, discrimination and intolerance. 

With all these fears of discrimination and intolerance looming in the hearts and minds of bisexual teens, college can seem like a sexual nirvana, where the exploration of one’s sexuality, in all its variations, is not only accepted but often encouraged.

“In high school, sexual discovery and experimentation are thrown in your face, but there still looms the fear of judgment from others,” says Jonathan, a gay 19-year-old college student from Philadelphia, PA. “As you enter college, that fear sort of dissipates, as the atmosphere encourages you to seek and discover your sexual identity.”

Some colleges even have “questioning” support groups for students who wonder if they are gay or lesbian. Many take advantage of the sexually-accepting atmosphere of college and experiment. Overall, the college environment can be more welcoming of those who are developing their identities, and this is appealing to teens who are eager to explore.

I often find it difficult to date. I never know if I should wait to tell whomever I am dating about my sexuality in the beginning, or if I should wait and see how the relationship progresses. I often wish I could be completely honest at all times, but the reality is people are not as accepting as we would wish them to be. By lying we are hiding our true selves and trying to protect ourselves from being shunned by both sexes.

I find it difficult to constantly be told by some heterosexuals, gays and lesbians that I need to “pick a team” and stick with it. The scrutiny from others has only led me to question myself further. But in being honest with myself, I have learned that I am attracted to both sexes, and if the person I fancy cannot accept that, then he or she is not worth my time.

As we discover our sexual identities, we may encounter issues of discrimination and intolerance head-on. Adolescence is not only an emotional roller coaster, it’s also a time when your sexual identity begins to form. Why should it be repressed? Your sexuality—straight, gay or bi—is a part of who you are. Accept it. Love it.

*Angelus Ferrero is a pseudonym for a 17-year-old who lives in New Jersey.

ALL CREDIT GOES TO LIFE HACKERY

http://lifehackery.com/2008/07/10/art-design-2/

Put all those Pringles cans you’ve emptied into good use and burn some fat and cholesterol along the way. Below are some things you can do with the long cylindrical shape of a Pringles container. These ideas range from obvious to awesome, with a little weirdness to pique your interest even further.

1. Storage Bin

The simplest way to reuse a Pringles can is to store it with all kinds of items, including pens, paint brushes, hairclips, plastic utensils, cleaning equipment, seeds, small trash, candies and children’s toys. Thanks to a few Pringles can, you can easily tidy up your home and make it more spacious.

Transform your Pringles into a first-aid kit by filling it up with medical supplies, such as bandages, ointments, alcohol, antiseptics and painkillers. Spin a little creativity to it by covering the can in white felt paper and topping it off with a red cross.

2. Percussion Instrument

Instead of household items, fill a quarter of the Pringles can with some dried macaroni, beads, beans and rice grains. Seal the can tightly and decorate the exterior with a nice Puerto Rican flavor. Shake the can and dance to the groove of your new maracas. If you slowly shift the can upside down, you get an instant rainstick. Enjoy two percussion instruments from just one can!

3. Molding Device

Erect a candle inside the Pringles can but make sure it doesn’t exceed the length of the container. While waiting for another set of candle wax to melt, fill the can with ice chips. Once the melted wax is ready, pour it all over the can until it completely submerges the ice chips.

After your creation cools down and hardens, drain the water and peel off the can and marvel at your latest masterpiece — a creative artificial source of light.

You can also create soap by simply substituting candle wax with melted glycerin. Once it solidifies, extricate the soap from the can and slice it into smaller pieces.

4. Coin Box

Cut a small opening on the plastic top of the Pringles can. Shut it tight and make sure it doesn’t open easily. If you are in a charitable mood, wrap the can with red, blue and white to make it appear like a Red Cross donation box. Make sure to give the collection to the Red Cross though, and not keep it to yourself.

5. Urn

In an incident somewhere between the bizarre and creepy spectrum, a couple of Pringles cans were recently converted into an urn. The ashes belonged to Fredric Baur, an American chemist who designed the cylindrical packaging of Pringles. Baur requested that his remains be buried in one of the iconic cans. Another can with some of his ashes was given to one of his grandchildren, while the rest of his remains were placed in a more conventional urn.

If you want to create headlines like Baur, simply store the ashes inside the container and decorate your new urn. You can also leave the cylinder as it is and preserve the face of Mr. Pringles instead.

6. Birdhouse

The most important items you need in building an improvised birdhouse are a small Pringles can, contact paper, a glue gun, glue sticks, toothpicks and a cutter.

1. Before punching a hole into the can, cover it with contact paper to make it waterproof.
2. A small Pringles can is only good enough for one hole. Make sure you carve it large enough for a bird to enter.
3. Make another hole right below the big one. This time, it should be small enough to hold a couple of toothpicks tightly.
4. Glue the toothpicks onto the small hole. This will serve as a perch for your birdhouse.
5. Put some moss or dried leaves inside to make it more attractive for the birds.

7. Cannon

This homemade bazooka is probably the coolest thing you can create from a Pringles can. It is great for celebrating the New Year or any other special occasion. Just make sure you don’t point it to someone or something important.

For this project, you need two lidless Pringles can, a gas lighter, lots of masking tape, knife, foil, glue gun and glue sticks.

1. Cut a small hole at the end of one can. It should be big enough to insert a gas lighter through it.
2. Take another Pringles can and make a hole roughly the size of a tennis ball.
3. Hot glue the tip of the gas lighter through the first can. Leave the trigger exposed and wrap it heavily with tape.
4. Combine the two cans together. Stack the side with the bigger hole on top of the other can and secure it with tape.
5. Wrap the entire canon with foil to protect yourself against heat. Then, bundle the whole thing again with tape.
6. Roll more tape at the end of the barrel so it won’t crack each time you fire the cannon.

Before using your new gadget, complete these very important safety precautions first.

• Make sure there aren’t any crevices in the areas where you made a hole.

• Blow the barrel to get rid of gas residue from previous use.

• Don’t fire the cannon consecutively because the barrel gets hot quickly.

Finally, here is how to use your new toy. Enjoy!

1. Use an aerosol can as fuel and spray it directly into the barrel.
2. Get any rubber ball and drop it inside the barrel.
3. Cover the end of the barrel with your hand and shake it a bit.
4. Aim your gun to an open field and pull the trigger.

With these recreational materials, you now have more reasons to enjoy a can of Pringles tasty chips. It may be an unhealthy habit, but at least you’re doing the environment some good by reusing aluminum containers. For some people, that’s called sacrifice.