Bisexual people are underrepresented and discriminated against, even within the LGBT community. Because of biphobia and other mental health problems bisexual men and women deal with, they aremore likelyto develop a mental illness andless likelyto come out thangay menandlesbian women. They also have thehighest ratesof abuse in intimate relationships.
If you identify as bisexual or are considering identifying as bisexual, this article will help you navigate potential mental health issues and better understand current ones. It is also a valuable resource for people who want to support the bisexual community and encourage acceptance of bisexual people within the LGBT community.
Biphobia: Stereotypes and Assumptions Bisexual People Endure
People in and outside the LGBT community perpetuate stereotypes of bisexual people. They assume bisexual people are:
Because of these assumptions, “bisexual” has become a dirty word to the point where many bisexual people avoid it. They often use euphemisms, including omnisxual, heteroflexible, homoflexible, bicurious and more.
There are also various phrases and terms people use that contribute to shaming bisexual people:
Discrimination Within the LGBT Community
Because of the aforementioned assumptions and stereotypes, many members of the LGBT community discriminate against bisexual people. The online dating environment is one of manyexamplesthat illustrate this discrimination.
On popular dating websites, including OkCupid, many lesbian women have profiles that include phrases such as “bisexuals need not apply.” Bisexual people who use online dating sites are bombarded with rude requests for threesomes, but they receive less actual dates than other LGBT members. These problems discourage them from identifying as bisexual on their profile and in person.
Althoughmore peopleidentify as bisexual than gay or lesbian, various forms of discrimination cause them to be severely underrepresented. There is little sense of community for bisexuals, especially compared to other groups such as gay men.
Guilt About Being Attracted to More than One Gender
Like many other members of the LGBT community, bisexual people often wish they could change their sexual orientation. They might feel guilt when they realize they are attracted to both genders, according to therapistSeda Gragossian, who specializes in treating addiction in the LGBT community in San Diego.
This guilt can intensify when they enter long-term relationships, especially if the realization of their bisexuality happens during the relationship. Even if the bisexual partner remains faithful, he or she can feel like the bisexuality is betraying the relationship.
Differences Between Bisexual Women and Men’s Issues
All bisexual people deal with biphobia and discrimination, but these issues manifest in different forms for men and women. Bisexual women deal more frequently with sexual objectification.
“It is a ‘turn on’ for many straight men if they know of a [good-looking] bisexual woman,” saidtherapist Kristen Martinez, who works with LGBT clients.
On the other hand, Martinez said, bisexual men encounter women who assume they are not “manly” enough because of their sexuality.
How to Support Mental Health in the Bisexual Community and Become an Advocate
If you are not bisexual but want to support the mental health of bisexual people, here are some suggestions:
How to Care for Your Mental Health if You Are a Bisexual Man or Woman
Consider seeing atherapist who specializes in working with members of the LGBT community, someone who will understand your issues and refrain from judging. Remember, you don’t deserve to feel invisible or ashamed of your sexuality.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
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