You don't have to be graphic to explain yourself.

mrsconn23

Dear Prudence,

I am a woman who has always identified as bisexual. I’ve been pretty open with my friends about that fact, although up to this point I’ve only dated men. My parents used to be convinced I was gay because I never brought boyfriends home, but then I dated a man for five years and those comments stopped. That was about five years ago and I haven’t been a relationship since, so between that and the fact that I play football on a women’s team, I think my family is starting to wonder if they were “right.”

I recently started seeing a woman I really like, and I think we might have long-term relationship potential. I know I’m lucky I won’t be disowned if I were to come out, but I do think there would be a lot of speculation about whether I’ve been a lesbian all along. I don’t have a problem with that identity, but it’s not mine! I feel weird about having my past relationships discounted and I’m hoping for a bit of help figuring out what to say if this comes up that doesn’t also feel like TMI for my parents. I can’t just say, “I like having sex with both men and women” like I would to my friends.

–Not Switching Teams, Still Play for Both

baconsmom

I'm inclined to say nothing about anything to the parents if it's that awkward. Like, yes, I have some stuff in my life that I wouldn't tell mine about, but if they found out anyway, I don't know that I'd have some big sit-down about it. A casual mention, "Yeah, well, I have a girlfriend now because I'm bisexual" seems like all that's needed? 

southernbelle0915

"Mom and Dad, I am bi-sexual."

If they are like "what does that MEAN?" she can be like "I am attracted to both men and women. I was happy in my relationship with (man) and I am happy in my current relationship with (woman)." 

OliveOilsMom

Simple words can get LWs point across to parents without being graphic.  PP gave good examples already.

missJeanLouise

My parents are so dense it would require almost exactly what LW wrote for them to get it. Fortunately, I don't need to handle my parents with gloves so saying something like that wouldn't bother them.

VarunaTT

I have just so much about all of this, but I'll share my coming out to my parents b/c I finally had to at 39, b/c of K:

Me:  Mom, I need to tell you something.
Mom:  Okay.
Me:  *sits silently, takes big breath* I mean, you never really thought I was straight anyway, did you?

So subtle, I am.  I think Mom cared more about K being 24, than a woman.

Anyway, this letter and her worries are just stuff that happens to non-monosexual people.  So, if she wants this woman to be part of her life and her parents to know, she needs to come out.  If they have questions, answer the ones she's comfortable answering, don't answer the ones she's not.  Just b/c you have this identity, doesn't mean you're an advocate.