What is Bisexuality?
Bisexuality is variously defined as romantic or sexual attraction to both males and females, to more than one gender, or attraction to both people of the same gender and different genders.
What is the stigma surrounding bisexuality?
There are many people within the LGBTQ+ community and heterosexual people that claim bisexual people are just confused and that it is "just a phase". These claims have long-lasting mental affects of people who identify as bi-sexual. A study done in 2016 stated that 27% of bisexuals are not out to any family or close friends. Bisexual people make up 55% of the queer population, and yet are the least likely to seek out mental support. Bisexual erasure can happen in many different forms
- Downplaying bisexuality as a phase
- Assuming two women who are in a relationship together must be lesbians, or assuming two men who are in a relationship together must be gay
- Assuming a man and a woman who are in a relationship together are both straight
- Asking a partner who is bisexual to label their sexual identity in a way that "reflects" your relationship
- Leaving out the bisexual community in LGBTQ+ advocacy
How has the bisexual community suffered from this?
I asked the people in my community the following question, and these are their responses
Have you ever faced stigma from identifying as bisexual?
"I've faced many stigmas, some include people thinking I'm more likely to cheat on my partner, I'm going through a phase, I can't be with a man and be bisexual because that means I'm basically straight, and that because i like women i'm going to instantly have a crush on you even if I'm not attracted to you."
-Abigail Cox
Yes I have faced stigma for identifying as bisexual. One time someone made me feel less because I also liked guys. i was considered “not gay enough” to her. on the other hand, I’ve experienced homophobia for being bisexual such as girls saying “well don’t have a crush on me!” and have experienced stereotyping where bisexuals are seen as “cheaters” or even “greedy” for liking both genders.
-Lou Rhodes
I have faced stigmas, even from other bisexual people. When I first came out my parents asked me if I was actually attracted to girls or if I just thought they were pretty. I have had other bisexual people tell me that I am not actually bisexual and that I am a lesbian. The majority of stigmas I have faced have been from people essentially telling me to "pick a side".
- Ellah Reitan
When it comes to expressing my sexuality as bisexual I've experienced several stigma. The most impact one was several friends and family saying that I was "confused" between being straight and gay. For a while I debating on whether this was true but now am comfortable with identifying myself as bisexual.
- Israel Hernandez
My personal experience
This issue has affected me personally in more ways than one and this is my story. I am a bisexual woman that grew up with lesbian grandmothers and very accepting parents. So naturally, one might think that I had an easy experience. I didn't really know anything about the queer community until I was in high school besides that there were gay men and lesbian women. I started my journey when I was about 15 and it wasn't until then that I truly understood who I was. Once I started divulging into the queer community, I couldn't stop and I certainly didn't think that I was capable of something so wonderful. I came out to my parents at 16 who were nothing but supportive. However, I grew up in a very religious family in a conservative town, so I didn't come out to my friends until I came to college. I found friends who felt the same ways I did and I was so incredibly thankful. When I was 19 I had my first girlfriend and that is the first time I experienced bisexual erasure. I was asked to come out as lesbian to my family who ignored me and told me it was a phase and they told me they would pray for me. I realized after a good couple months what was happening in my relationship. After ending that relationship I came out as bi again and continued to live my life as a bisexual woman.
I recently have gotten into another relationship with a woman and she believes in my sexuality and reassures me when I feel doubtful. I have also had the opportunity to find a community that I feel accepted by. There are so many bisexual identifying people in the world who have experienced so much worse and there are so many way to help those round you.
- Acknowledge the individual - including cisgender, transgender, and non-binary people who identify as bisexual
- Don't question a bisexual person's identity when they tell you they're bisexual
- Call out others when they make biphobic statements
- Use inclusive language when talking about the LGBTQ+ community
- Avoid stereotyping bisexual people
Bisexual people are real and we are all around, we are not a stereotype, and we are not people that should be sexualized because we have the capacity to love more. We live in a world where things are not black and white, and sexuality is not black and white either.
https://26health.org/bisexual-erasure-and-stigma-are-still-too-real/
https://www.health.com/mind-body/lgbtq-health/bi-erasure
