Bisexuality is defined as an attraction to more than one gender. Like many sexual orientations, bisexuality is often stigmatized. An aversion towards bisexuals is known as biphobia. It is no surprise that biphobia exists, but what is surprising is that it exists within the LGBT community. The community is known for celebrating diversity, yet some people within it still discriminate against other parts of the community. Biphobia within the LGBT community is mainly caused by misconceptions that some people have about bisexuals.
First of all, some people do not think that bisexuality exists at all. This is because they believe that sexual orientation is a binary. In other words, some people believe that one can only be heterosexual or homosexual, and therefore deny the existence of bisexuality. Common claims are that those who identify as bisexual are confused, going through a phase, or do not want to admit that they are actually homosexual. The fact is that, like most things in life, sexual orientation is a spectrum, not a binary, and many people's identities lie somewhere in the middle of it. Although the term bisexual was not coined until 1892, there are records of people engaging in relationships with more than one gender from ancient Greece, Rome, and Japan. While some people within the LGBT community may not believe that bisexuals exist, they do, and their orientation is just as valid as any other.
Moreover, there are others that do believe that bisexuals exists, but think that they cannot be faithful in a monogamous relationship. The main reason behind this belief is that, because bisexuals are attracted to more than one gender, they cannot be satisfied in a relationship with one person of a single gender. Because of this they assume that bisexuals are more likely to be unfaithful, or even that it is inevitable. This is another misconception. Just as many people are attracted to more than one skin color or body type, bisexuals are attracted to more than one gender; just because someone is attracted to traits that are mutually exclusive does not mean that he or she cannot be satisfied with a partner that possesses only one of those traits. A person who is bisexual is no more likely to be unfaithful in a relationship than any other person.
Another misconception is that, even though it is part of the initialism, bisexuals do not belong in the LGBT community. The rationale behind this is that they can easily pretend to be heterosexual or that they are not “queer enough.” This is untrue for several reasons. First of all, for bisexuals to pretend to be heterosexual, they would have to do the same as anyone who is “in the closet”; they would have to deny a part of who they are. That alone should be reason enough for bisexuals to belong in the LGBT community. In addition to this, they also face similar discrimination as other parts of the community. They face discrimination not only from those who are against homosexual relationships, but also from those who deny the existence of non-binary orientations. For these reasons, bisexuality deserves just as much of a place in the LGBT community as any other queer identity.
Biphobia exists within the LGBT community as a result of widespread misconceptions. As with many stereotypes, they are untrue for the majority of bisexuals. The actions and behaviors of individuals should not be able to befoul the community's opinion of bisexuals as a whole. Instead, people should consider the fact that bisexuality is no better or worse than any other sexual orientation and encourage others to do the same.
First of all, some people do not think that bisexuality exists at all. This is because they believe that sexual orientation is a binary. In other words, some people believe that one can only be heterosexual or homosexual, and therefore deny the existence of bisexuality. Common claims are that those who identify as bisexual are confused, going through a phase, or do not want to admit that they are actually homosexual. The fact is that, like most things in life, sexual orientation is a spectrum, not a binary, and many people's identities lie somewhere in the middle of it. Although the term bisexual was not coined until 1892, there are records of people engaging in relationships with more than one gender from ancient Greece, Rome, and Japan. While some people within the LGBT community may not believe that bisexuals exist, they do, and their orientation is just as valid as any other.
Moreover, there are others that do believe that bisexuals exists, but think that they cannot be faithful in a monogamous relationship. The main reason behind this belief is that, because bisexuals are attracted to more than one gender, they cannot be satisfied in a relationship with one person of a single gender. Because of this they assume that bisexuals are more likely to be unfaithful, or even that it is inevitable. This is another misconception. Just as many people are attracted to more than one skin color or body type, bisexuals are attracted to more than one gender; just because someone is attracted to traits that are mutually exclusive does not mean that he or she cannot be satisfied with a partner that possesses only one of those traits. A person who is bisexual is no more likely to be unfaithful in a relationship than any other person.
Another misconception is that, even though it is part of the initialism, bisexuals do not belong in the LGBT community. The rationale behind this is that they can easily pretend to be heterosexual or that they are not “queer enough.” This is untrue for several reasons. First of all, for bisexuals to pretend to be heterosexual, they would have to do the same as anyone who is “in the closet”; they would have to deny a part of who they are. That alone should be reason enough for bisexuals to belong in the LGBT community. In addition to this, they also face similar discrimination as other parts of the community. They face discrimination not only from those who are against homosexual relationships, but also from those who deny the existence of non-binary orientations. For these reasons, bisexuality deserves just as much of a place in the LGBT community as any other queer identity.
Biphobia exists within the LGBT community as a result of widespread misconceptions. As with many stereotypes, they are untrue for the majority of bisexuals. The actions and behaviors of individuals should not be able to befoul the community's opinion of bisexuals as a whole. Instead, people should consider the fact that bisexuality is no better or worse than any other sexual orientation and encourage others to do the same.
SOURCES:
"What Is Bisexuality?" The Bisexual Index. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 June 2015.
"History of Bisexuality." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 June 2015.
"Biphobia: The Attitude That Plagues the LGBTQ Community." One Equal World. N.p., 07 Oct. 2013. Web. 02 June 2015.
Eisner, Shiri. "Biphobia: The Author Strongly Argues That Bisexuals Face Their Own Discrimination, Especially from Straight Populations."Alternet. N.p., 11 June 2013. Web. 02 June 2015.
"Bisexual Men And Women Face Stigma, Prejudice, Discrimination In LGBT Community." University Herald. N.p., 07 Nov. 2013. Web. 02 June 2015.