Bisexuality: Myths, stereotypes and downright biphobia

Everyone's Bisexual

Freud said this a long time ago, and although he was pretty clever, some people still call themselves straight or gay...shocking!

Bisexuality doesn't exist

Despite the NY times misinterpreting a study done by scientists a while ago, (http://www.bicommunitynews.co.uk/74/men.html) bisexuality is accepted by the British Psychological Society, and more importantly, by bisexual men and women.

Bisexuals are promiscuous/get loads of action

Like being gay or straight, being bisexual is more than having sex. Having emotional relationships is just as important for some bi people as getting laid is for others, just like any other sexuality.

Bisexuals can't be faithful to one gender/ can't be monogamous

Bisexuality isn't significantly different to any other sexuality, and people are generally monogamous, although again, like straight or gay people, some are polyamorous. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory)

Bisexuals spread STI's

STI's don't discriminate, some sexual practices are more risky than others, but calling yourself bisexual, or having a bisexual partner does not increase your chances of getting one, having unsafe sex no matter who you sleep with, does.

Bisexuality is a phase

No doubt for some people bisexuality is a phase. When coming out it's not uncommon for guys to hear from older gay people, "So was I, darling" amidst other condescensions.For the girls, some people think they're just saying it to get guys. But truth is, bisexuality is just another sexual orientation, and just as real.

Stereotypes, invisibility and biphobia

There aren't many stereotypes for bisexuals, partly because bisexuals are mainly ignored in the media, which is called bi invisibility, but also because when they do appear, they tend to be an example of the exotic, (like Kris from hollyoaks), or the sociopathic (like Sharon Stone's character in Basic Instinct.)

Bi invisibility is the accidental omission of bisexuals from the world around us, be it media, historical records, or people not representing bisexuals as part of a Lesbian and Gay, and/or transsexual, group. Bi erasure is when this is done deliberately by persons who believe bisexuality does not deserve inclusion into Gay and Lesbian, or straight, communities. This is a form of biphobia.

Biphobia is the discrimination exclusively against bi people. Discrimination against bisexuals doesn't just come from straight people, who may disapprove of any same-sex attraction (homophobia), but also from lesbian and gay people, who may believe bisexuals weaken the gay and lesbian movement by "pretending" to like both.

Biphobia exists in many forms, namely:

• pretending bisexuality doesn't exist.

• assuming two men holding hands are gay, two women are lesbians and one of each are straight.

• people trying to check history to class people as straight or gay.

• name-calling.

• fear of dating bi people (because they're bound to leave you for the other sex...)