Michael Huffington: the long-awaited Advocate interview: in our first chat since his coming-out in 1998, the former congressman talks about his activism on behalf of bisexual equality.

"It's just a phase" is something former congressman Michael Huffington, who identifies as bisexual, never wants to hear again--and he plans to make that happen. The onetime Republican candidate for U.S. senator from California, who spent a reported $30 million on his campaign in 1994, is now putting some of his money into a small documentary still in production called Bi the Way. In addition to his personal connection to the subject matter--he came out in 1998, over a year after his divorce from author and commentator Arianna Huffington--Huffington has a personal connection to one of Bi the Way's two filmmakers, Josephine Decker and Brittany Blockman: Decker is the daughter of a long-time family friend.

In his first sit-down with The Advocate, Huffington talks about educating both straights and gays about what is means to be bisexual in the United States.

What do you see as the purpose of Bi the Way?

To capture something that, frankly, I haven't found anywhere else. And that is, "What is bisexuality?" Forty years ago, if you asked the question, "What is gay?" not a lot of people could tell you. Today, I think--not only with Will & Grace and all of the other TV shows and movies that have come out, including Brokeback Mountain--people have a much better feel that being gay can be anything. But are there any images, really, of the bisexual man or woman? Not really. [Decker and Blockman] have been on the road for about four months [interviewing people] all across America.

Who do you hope will see the film?

This movie is targeted not only to the LGBT audience but also the straight audience, and I would say primarily to people in their 20s and 30s. We are trying to enlighten people, educate people, entertain people, and hopefully eliminate some discrimination in society. And we want straight people to understand that if they have some sort of pull toward someone of their own sex--and it may not be sexual--that they should go ahead and let it rip: Hold their hand, give them a hug, give them a kiss if they're comfortable. Women are much better at expressing [same-sex] affection. But I just think it's terrible that men won't hold hands. I have a lot of straight friends who are very comfortable hugging me or even giving me a kiss--not an intimate kiss, but a kiss. But they won't do it with their own friends. I'd like to see that, for their benefit, change. And I think women would like to see men letting their feminine side come out. I think it's good for every community.

Do you think the gay community marginalizes bisexuals?

Let's say it this way: They are not fully accepted.

Where does fear of bisexuality come from?

On the straight side, [there's] fear of showing any [same-sex] affection whatsoever because it means that they're "gay." On the gay side, it's been more that you're saying we [might] have a choice, and we don't have a choice. There are many people who would classify themselves as being gay [who] had sexual relationships with women, and yet over a period of time they have just basically stayed with men only. Many gay people would say, "OK, you're just gay, and you just had to go through a phase." Well, maybe that is true in some cases. However, it's not true in all cases. We have got to get over this fact that you're either gay or you're straight. There are colors in between; it's a continuum, like Kinsey's scale--0 [totally straight] to 6 [totally gay].

Where are you on the Kinsey scale?

I'm probably a 4. I'm not right in the middle, but I'm close to the middle. I know that for a fact.

You were in the closet before you came out in Esquire. Do you think it's easier for bisexuals to remain in the closet?

I think a lot of bis are in the closet. I think the gay community is doing a better job coming out of the closet, but I don't think bis are. I know people who are married today as well as 20 years ago, who are still married, and they are bisexual. In some cases their wives know that they like men, and in other cases their wives do not. But they are bisexual. Wouldn't it be a healthier relationship if they could discuss it with their wives?

When you were married, did Arianna know?

Before I even married Arianna, in Houston, I told her I was bisexual. I think you have to be honest before you get married. We went through our trials and tribulations but worked through all of that. And I actually very much love my ex-wife, always have loved her, even after we got divorced. But let me say one thing about her: She's been very supportive of my getting out in front on this issue.

Where do bisexuals fit in with the fight for marriage rights?

If a man decides he wants to marry a man or if a woman decides she wants to marry a woman, even if they're bi, then gay marriage is very important. And I am for gay marriage. Originally I wasn't because I was a little old-fashioned, but I realized that that is not fair: If two people are madly in love with each other, they should have all the legal rights. It doesn't mean the church has to agree, but the state absolutely should not discriminate.

What was your coming-out experience like?

I went to church Ithe day I came out] and all of my friends who are straight, older, and married patted me on the back and said congratulations for having the courage to do it. They had no idea.

Did your spirituality figure into your coming-out?

I came out because I became spiritual. Just the opposite of the religious right, who say, "The Bible says [such and such]." Christ judges us, not our fellow human beings. So we human beings ought to get out of the way and celebrate what God created, not try and destroy what God created. We have to help Americans come to grips with being less puritanical, and happy and at peace.

Are you interviewed in Bi the Way?

Yes. It reminded me of my days in politics.

You're still involved in politics behind the scenes, and with the Log Cabin Republicans.

I'm working with Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey--[I'm] one of her members of the board of the It's My Party Too project. She's trying to transform the Republican Party [into] an inclusive party again, including on issues of gay rights.

Any interest in returning to politics yourself?.

I can do more outside government then I can in government. But as almost every recovering politician will say, never say never.

Kim is a New York--based writer. Find more of this interview at advocate.com, and more about the film at bithewaymovie.com.