Despite recent surges in bisexual representation in pop culture, many LGBT community members still experience identity invalidation today. This invalidation can significantly negatively not just bisexual people in particular but the community as a whole.
Because bisexual people are neither gay nor straight, finding where they fit within the LGBT community can be a challenge. They often experience biphobia and bi-erasure from both straight and queer people, which we will explore in-depth in this article.
RELATED: 5 Signs That You Might Be Biphobic (And Not Even Know It)
Biphobia Definition
Biphobia, sometimes referred to as monosexism, is the belief that sexual and romantic attraction to only one gender is superior. Bisexual people subject to biphobia might be discriminated against or stigmatized because of their sexual orientation.
Internalized Biphobia
Another form of biphobia is internalized biphobia. A bisexual person who experiences internalized biphobia might form negative ideas about their sexual identity or not feel “queer enough.”
A few common symptoms of internalized biphobia include:
- Thinking their sexual orientation is just a phase or stepping stone toward becoming fully gay or straight
- Assuming that being bisexual means they are sexually promiscuous
- Fearing the inability to sustain a monogamous relationship
Examples Of Biphobia
Biphobia occurs in many different forms. You might experience it in the following ways.:
Biphobia And Bi-Erasure In Media
Because most people think in binary ways, society doesn’t typically do well with ambiguity. As such, bisexual characters in film and television are hardly accurately portrayed. In shows like Glee and Riverdale, bisexual characters are depicted as overly sexual, indecisive, and troubled.
Bi-erasure in the media is also rampant. Consider Willow’s character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After breaking up with Spike and later developing a relationship with same-sex character Tara, Willow’s character was portrayed as exclusively homosexual – not bisexual.
These depictions invalidate the notion that gender and sexual identities can change.
Biphobia In The LGBT Community
Contrary to popular belief, biphobia isn’t just rampant within heterosexual communities – it can also occur within the LGBT community. When LGBT-identifying people feel invalidated, they may experience discomfort toward people who have a non-traditional sexual orientation or gender identity.
For instance, a bisexual person might feel uncomfortable associating with another bisexual person for fear of discovery, prejudice, or abuse.
Another form of internalized biphobia is feeling attraction toward unavailable people. A bisexual person might attempt relationships with heterosexual people as a type of “self-conversion.”
Bi-Erasure Definition
Now that you know the definition of biphobia, what is bi-erasure? Bi-erasure (sometimes referred to as bisexual invisibility) refers to the act of questioning or denying the existence of bisexual people.
Despite a growing acceptance of gay and lesbian people, many still deny others the right to be bisexual. In practice, bi-erasure might look like this:
- Assuming a bisexual person is just going through a phase
- Assuming two women in a relationship are lesbian or that two men in a relationship are gay
- Denying bisexual people access to LGBT advocacy
So, if people can accept that someone is gay or lesbian, why does bi-erasure still occur? Some might find it challenging to grasp the concept of sexuality being non-binary. Many assume that someone who is bisexual is “part gay and part straight” when, in fact, it is a distinct identity.
Harmful Bi Stereotypes
Despite an outpouring of information from global LGBT community centers, many myths and misconceptions still surround bisexual people. This includes:
Bisexual People Are Just Confused
Bisexuality isn’t just a stepping stone toward being “fully gay” or “fully straight” – it is a legitimate orientation. In addition, sexuality can be confusing for anyone, regardless of how they identify.
You Can’t Be Bisexual If You’re In A Heteromantic Relationship
Just because you are dating someone of the opposite sex doesn’t mean you stop being bisexual. As its name suggests, bisexual people can become attracted to someone of the same or opposite sex.
Bisexual People Are More Likely To Cheat
Many assume that bisexual people are more likely to cheat because of their “expanded pool of potential partners”. But the truth is that bisexual people are not more likely to cheat than heterosexual people.
In addition, bisexual people don’t have “double the dating pool.” You can be attracted to two genders but still have preferences toward specific types of people based on their qualities and hobbies.
Practicing Bisexuality Will Make You More Likely To Get An STD
Sexual identity doesn’t dictate how (or whether) a person practices safe sex. Regardless of your orientation, practicing safe sex is the best way to prevent illness and disease.
In the same thread, bisexual people are not hypersexual or swingers. Being attracted to two or more genders doesn’t correlate with increased promiscuity. Like anyone else, bisexual people can go through long periods without sexual activity. Alternatively, they can be as sexually active as they want!
Impact On Mental And Physical Health
Discrimination toward bisexual people can have significant and detrimental effects on their mental and physical health. In particular, bisexual people may have trouble gaining access to inclusive healthcare services – making them more susceptible to STIs, cancer, obesity, and substance abuse.
Additionally, many bisexual people refrain from seeking medical advice because of fear of discrimination. Inadvertently, this lack of access and fear of requesting help can put bisexual people at higher risk of developing anxiety and depression.
Bisexual people might also experience heightened social stress as they are frequently exposed to discrimination, prejudice, and bullying. When exposed to biphobia and bi-erasure at a younger age, people below 18 have a higher likelihood of demonstrating youth risk behavior.
Biphobia can also make it more challenging for people to retain jobs, especially in environments that lack LGBT sensitivity training and anti-discrimination policies. This lack of support can directly impact a bisexual individual’s capability to earn a living and obtain stable housing.
How To Combat Biphobia And Bi-Erasure
Whether you are personally experiencing biphobia and bi-erasure or know someone who is, there are many ways to get support and be a better ally.
Explore Your Biases
Being a bisexual person or part of the LGBT community does not absolve you of your biases. If you have trouble accepting bisexuality as a legitimate orientation, explore the social factors that make this the case. Are you considering race, culture, and religion? If so, how does this impact the way you interact with people from the LGBT community?
Consult The Bisexual Resource Center
One of the best ways to gather information and participate in community discussions is to turn to the Bisexual Resource Center. Log in online to find a bi group in your area, and consider signing up for workshops, discussions, and classes.
Listen To Your Bisexual Friends
Are you unsure of how to respond to your bisexual friend? Have an open discussion with them. If there is something about their sexual identity that you don’t understand, the best way to avoid assumptions and misconceptions is to ask them to educate you.
If you hear conflicting or contrasting narratives from different people, understand that bisexuals may have different experiences when it comes to exploring their sexual identity and that there is no “right” way to express how you identify.
Final Thoughts
Representation is important, regardless of your sexual identity. Acknowledging labels validates a person’s experience and makes them more willing to ask for support. Plus, it makes them happier to be who they are.
marxist_homo
More Queerty nonsense. Bisexuality does not exist. (I know. That makes me “biphobic,” right?)
If bisexuality did exist, we would observe comparable rates among all human populations (race, gender, nationality, etc.), as with homosexuality and heterosexuality. But 70%+ of bisexual people are European or American cisgender white women.
Why? Because bisexuality, like transness, is a fad, and like all fads, it appeals more to some groups than others.
But thanks for the sermon, Queerty.
cheks
You’re either very sheltered or very young. Or both.
Bosch
Dumbest comment I’ve ever seen here. We DO observe comparable rates among all humans. I’ve lived in the middle east, the far east, Europe, and north America, and most people in all those places were bisexual.
Of course, identity and orientation won’t always correlate. For example, in the Arab world, you can be a “top” and enjoy same-sex relations, but as long as you have a wife and kids, you’re still “straight”. In North America people will rationalise their sexuality as heterosexual because it’s either experienced as non-sexual or as non-romantic.
But you will find that when society permits bisexuality fully, that suddenly almost everyone is perfectly comfortable with their bisexuality. You can find this in almost every pre-christian or pre-abrahamic civilization.
On top of that, we now have the means to measure a person’s sexual orientation by monitoring activity in the hypothalamus when exposed to specific pheromones.
And if we look at the animal kingdom? Exactly the same. Giraffes, bats, hyenas, dolphins are notoriously bisexual. And our closest relative in the animal kingdom is the bonobo, do you know them?
You’re probably monosexual, and that’s why you have trouble understanding bisexuality. But physical arousal is not something that a man can fake, not even with Viagra. If you think human sexuality can be affected by cultural norms, then you really have a skewed perception of sexual orientation. It’s a biological configuration, not a choice, not a lifestyle, and not a fad. Your experience of reality is not the world’s experience.
Man About Town
I find it hilarious that anyone who says things like “transness is a fad” could possibly expect to be taken seriously.
Burtram Fidelity
You poor thing, bless your heart. Also, LOL @ you.
Donston
I find the “bi erasure” stuff to be a bit exhausting at this point. At least one-third of the population is probably in the bi/pan spectrum or has experienced degrees of fluidity in their life. However, it is apparent how ignorant or naive many folks still are as far as understanding shit beyond sexual behaviors or identities. The “bi movement” needs to focus less on old-fashioned and narcissistic stuff like “erasing” and place more focus on people understanding just how varied and specific sexuality and sexual journeys and preferences often are, help folks understand how much psychology, sociology, ego, insecurities, mental health, sexual libido, motivations will always play roles in what people do and how they present themselves, and people understanding how expansive or particular the gender, sexual, affection, romantic attachment, emotional investment, commitment spectrum can be. It’s time to evolve past the constant “erasing” whining and have more nuanced and less identity focused discussion.
Bosch
Literally under a comment filled with bi erasure.
You are very much about sexual identification, and yet you call the discussion too focused on identity.
Sexual orientation is a biological configuration. I know you don’t like that idea, but I’ve witnessed it first-hand during my studies.
Terms like “heteroflexible” and “sexually fluid” are prime examples of bi and gay erasure. All kinds of nonsense identities invented, just to avoid calling ourselves gay and bi.
It’s unfair to call bisexuals narcissistic for addressing bi erasure; they experience just as much discrimination as we do.
Donston
About 80% of the “bi pride” agenda is focused on “I don’t want to be perceived as ‘gay’ or ‘straight”. And it’s tired, and it’s partly why a lot of people embrace “queer” or “fluid” identities or stay closeted or embrace no identities at all. Too much of the “bi agenda” is driven by insecurities and sociology and a desperation to separate oneself from the “straights” and especially the “gays”. While most “bi pride guys” refuse to acknowledge how much internalized phobias or gay panic is prevalent among a good percentage of the “bi pride guys”. Once again, another reason why many move on from “bi pride” as they get older.
I am bi/pan, and I’m rather over the same topics. There’s still not enough real discussion and knowledge around fluidity, paraphiliacs, dimensions, preferences, traumas, mental health, insecurities, hyper sexuality, the gender, sexual, affection, romantic, emotion, commitment spectrum. Because there’s still so much focus on identities and focus on who you do or don’t want to fit in with. I’m asking for a general evolution of the conversation. That would actually kill a lot of ignorance and manipulation and insecurities, not the constant obsession with “erasing” or the constant self-consciousness around “gay” or “straight”.
LumpyPillows
Complete nonsense. Where do they come up with this whiny stuff? No one cares about bisexuality. No one comments on it. Its the most accepted letter B. No one is erasing any bisexuals. They just aren’t that interesting.
Donston
LumpyPillows, I have no idea who your post is directed towards. You seem to be semi agreeing with me but of course with a layer of unneeded bitchiness and dismissiveness.
Don’t get me wrong. There is definitely still a lot of resentment towards bisexuality and there are still many people who don’t get sexuality beyond mono-sexuality, especially for males. However, this “bi erasing” shit is silly. At least half of inherently bi people are “straight” or “gay” or “fluid” or “queer” presenting. And most “bi pride” people refuse to genuinely confront topics like hetero/non-homo privileges, non-homo superiority complexes, gay panic, internalized phobias or the realities of fluidity, paraphiliacs, the gender, sexual, affection, romantic, emotion, commitment spectrum. Those are more interesting and necessary topics than this same ol’ tired “erasing” shit. The conversation needs to evolve past that type of basics.
monty clift
“biphobia” sounds like some lazy attempt to attack gay people with your dime store version of homophobia.
monty clift
Willow’s character was portrayed as exclusively homosexual, yes because she’s a lesbian, duh. So you’re fine with erasing a gay character?
This is where your “fight” is? Lol And you wonder why people think bisexuals are a joke.
Bosch
First you question the existence of biphobia, and then you post an explicitly biphobic message. Is there no solidarity with you guys? Openly bisexual people put up with all the same shit wthat e have to deal with. Be nice.
monty clift
@Bosch, Most bisexuals are in heterosexual relationships/or heterosexual orientated. They don’t put up with half the things gay people have had to put up with and we are not obligated to take their BS.
Bosch
That’s why I specified “openly bisexual”. Obviously, the straight-identified ones are cheating the system; all the privilege of being straight, and yet all the comfort of same-sex love. But there are plenty of gay men who do exactly the same thing, so this isn’t a specifically bisexual behaviour.
And the straight-identified ones are not the ones who will be reading your comment on Queerty. We should celebrate the people who are honest about their sexuality. The bigots hate all of us equally.
monty clift
I should add a lot of gay people have already been down the bi route/ or have had to come out as bi to “soften the blow” before they could fully come out as gay. Society is more allowing of bisexuality than it has ever been of exclusive homosexuality. This sort of bisexual hen pecking at gay people doesn’t do you any favors, if anything it makes you look ignorant and lack any understanding of the things gay people have had to go through.
Bosch
“Society is more allowing of bisexuality than it has ever been of exclusive homosexuality”
In the eyes of the homophobe, gay and bisexual are the same thing.
Our pain isn’t minimized if we acknowledge their pain. I assume you’re gay, and you’re literally bitching about bisexual people. Under an article about biphobia. We don’t need to have biphobic gays, and we don’t need to have homophobic bisexuals. We have ONE enemy, and that is the homophobe.
monty clift
@Bosch, the entire article is dedicated to bitching at gays for alleged biphobia and squabbling over unimportant things like if a tv characters true sexuality is biphobic.
Sure we have ONE enemy, homophobes… that includes bisexual ones.
Bosch
All this in-fighting between the Gs, Bs, Ls, and Ts is EXACTLY how the bigots keep us weak.
Be smarter than that, boys.
sirald66
Poorly written article. Stopped reading a third of the way through. Really wanted something I could share, but it is flawed.
Neoprene
Yawn.