Numerous studies have shown that bisexu al people face higher rates of mental health difficulties than lesbian and gay folks. It’s frustrating that people believe that bisexuals are only half as oppressed as others in the LGBTQ community.
No matter what relationship we’re in, our sexuality is often incorrectly assumed – typically we’re seen as either straight or gay.
If we enter into a long-term monogamous relationship with someone our bisexuality is often forgotten about unless we make it visible. The pain of having your identity erased or assumed based on the (presumed) gender of your current partner causes bisexual people a lot of inner turmoil. Bisexual people are seen to be betraying the LGBTQ community when dating someone of the opposite sex, and to be benefitting from straight privilege, or ‘passing’ privilege.īut whilst it’s easier to exist in public as a couple when dating someone of the opposite sex, internally it can feel far from easy. This lack of acceptance seems to come from the belief that bisexuals don’t struggle the same as gay and lesbian people. Despite the fact that bisexuals make up more than 50% of the LGBTQ community, we are often ostracised and erased by the LG community that we should feel safe and at home within. Photo courtesy of Bisexual Resource Center.īut one of the most difficult things about being a bisexual is that often these comments come from people within our own community. And if you’re a bisexual woman like me, having to deal with straight men fetishising your sexuality and the hypersexual stereotype of bisexual women, where we’re seen as more sexual, promiscuous and greedy. Whether it’s having your sexuality dismissed as a phase, being told you’re greedy, or that you can’t make up your mind. As an LGBTQ organisation it’s important that we mark this day, and raise the profile of issues affecting bisexual people in our community.Īs an out bisexual, I am often subjected to biphobic stereotypes about what it means to be bisexual. Today marks national Bi Visibility Day, which has been celebrated on September 23rd since 1999.
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