Though pride month has come and gone, the spirit of the LGBT+ community has not dwindled. Bisexual Awareness Week takes place September 16th through the 23rd. As a heteronormative society becomes more accepting of those who don’t fit the ‘norm,’ the different identities under the LGBT+ community become more normalized and well known, such as bisexuaity. However, many don’t know what that entails.
Bisexuality is mirrored in the meaning behind their pride flag. The pink color at the top reflects same-gender attraction, the blue at the bottom representing opposite-gender attraction, and the purple stripe in the middle representing attraction across the gender spectrum. The meaning of this purple stripe can create general confusion among those who don’t experience this attraction, which may cause frustration.
“I think the problem with alot of people is that they don’t understand how someone can like both boys and girls,” says Angelie Cespedes, a sophomore in Global Studies and LGBT+ ally. “I have a friend who lied about her sexuality and said she was a lesbian instead of bi because her parents are extremely biphobic.”
Biphobia is a large presence in the lives of many bisexuals. This can range from bi women being called “greedy” or “attention seekers”, to bi men being called “sus” or told a stronger attraction to one gender makes them invalid in their identity.
“There was a point in time where yes, I did experience biphobia,” says Chelsea Valentin, a bisexual junior in Pharmacy. “Due to that, I closeted myself for 2 years. Being a bisexual comes with a lot of hate. People assume you’re confused or desperate.”
Biphobia can have a severe effect on those whom it was targeted towards. Attacks can range from physical hate crimes, to being asked if they’re “straight, gay or lying,” as Valentin recounts being asked. Both psychological and physical attacks leave those in the LGBT+ community afraid to show affection to a partner in public, or at all.
“Approximately […] nearly half of bisexual women (46.1%) in the United States have been raped in their lifetime,” says a CDC survey on sexual harrassment in women. The study also shows that 37% of bisexual men experience sexual harrassment or stalking.
Biphobia isn’t the only problem that bisexuals face— bi-erasure proves to be just as big an obstacle.
“I was not aware of bi-erasure until about a week ago,” says Engineering sophomore Jazlyn Gonzalez. “[But] knowing someone who is bi/ part of the LGBT+ community has given me insight of the personal struggles that some have to deal with, in instances of coming out or internalized homophobia because of our heteronormative society,” Gonzalez adds.
Bi-erasure takes form in varying ways. It can range from supposed bi characters being confirmed outside the show, book, or other media, but never showing attraction towards the other gender. Not showing their same gender attraction undermines their sexuality and queerbaits LGBT+ fans into believing they would get explicit representation. It also exists in real life when bisexuals in a relationship are then called straight, gay, or lesbians, depending on their gender. This erasure can lead to bisexuals feeling invalidated or that something is wrong with them for not fitting into the roles enforced upon them.
Nonetheless, the bisexual community has grown stronger together in realizing, fighting, and addressing these issues with their fellow LGBT+ members. And during a week where they are being celebrated, the support is what shines the brightest.
“[…] I can say the LGBT+ community is one big family.” says Valentin. “Do I feel comfortable? But of course! We see the world in rainbow colored glasses.”
