The B in LGBTQ stands for bisexual, but what does that really mean? Let’s talk about what bisexuality is, what it’s not, and what we can do to recognize and celebrate it. This blog serves as a guide to learn more about being bi and breakdown common myths.
Being bisexual means you can feel attraction toward more than one gender. Despite being one of the largest groups in the LGBTQ community, bi people are often subject to invisibility or erasure. This means that people often ignore or deny that bisexuality exists. Bisexual people also face biphobia or the fear of bisexuality. Erasure and negativity can have a serious impact on bisexual communities.
One way we hope to help spread awareness about bisexuality, bi-erasure, and biphobia is by busting myths about this sexual orientation. Here are five common myths we are going to bust.
Myth #1: “Bisexuality is just a phase before someone comes out as gay or lesbian.”
In some cases, people do identify as bisexual before identifying as gay, lesbian, or another sexuality. This does not make it any less real. Anyone who identifies as bisexual, at any point in their lives, deserves to have their identity respected.
Myth #2: “Bi people just want to pass as heterosexual to avoid trouble and maintain privilege.”
There are many out, proud, and politically active bi people. It’s true, some bi people may hide their sexual identity to avoid stigma and prejudice. This is also true for other members of the LGBTQ community. Feeling pressured to “pass” is not fair. As a society, it’s up to all of us to make the world a welcoming place to all people.
Myth #3: “The word ‘bisexual’ is transphobic.”
There’s a common misconception that bisexuality upholds the gender binary or the idea that there are only two genders, male and female. In reality, being bisexual is the capacity to love people of the same gender and of genders different from yours. This can include transgender and gender non-binary people. Many bisexual people are part of the transgender community, and many others date transgender people.
Myth #4: “Bisexuals are promiscuous.”
First, there’s nothing wrong with being promiscuous. Regardless of your sexual orientation, it is okay to enjoy and desire sex. Second, bisexual people are not automatically more promiscuous than gay or straight people.
Myth #5: “Bisexual people in relationships with the opposite gender are straight.”
Someone’s current partner being the opposite gender does not define their entire sexuality, nor does it take away their feelings for other genders. We can acknowledge the privilege of cis-appearing relationships without denying a person’s lived experience of bisexuality.
Bisexuality matters. It will always matter. We all deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion regardless of how we identify. It is on all of us to stop spreading misinformation that contributes to bi-erasure.