The term "bisexual erasure" refers to the act of diminishing or denying the existence of bisexual individuals within society. Bisexual erasure can occur through subtle or overt means such as invalidation, marginalization, dismissal, exclusion, and lack of representation in popular culture. This paper will explore the effects of bisexual erasure on three main areas: relational satisfaction, social belonging, and self-concept.
Relational Satisfaction
Bisexual erasure has been shown to negatively impact relational satisfaction for bisexual adults. When bisexuals are denied recognition or acceptance, they may feel isolated from their partners and unable to fully express themselves. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and resentment, which can ultimately harm relationships. In addition, biphobia within romantic relationships can lead to lower levels of trust and commitment, as well as increased conflict and infidelity. As a result, bisexual individuals may avoid sharing their sexual orientation with potential partners altogether, leading to loneliness and dissatisfaction.
Social Belonging
In terms of social belonging, bisexual erasure can create feelings of isolation and alienation. When bisexual individuals are not recognized or accepted by others, they may struggle to find community or support within LGBTQ+ spaces. This can lead to decreased social connectedness and increased feelings of isolation, which can have negative consequences for mental health and overall well-being.
Bisexual erasure can prevent bisexual individuals from accessing resources and services designed specifically for LGBTQ+ communities, such as counseling, legal assistance, and healthcare. This can further contribute to feelings of exclusion and marginalization.
Self-Conclusion
Bisexual erasure can impact self-concept by creating feelings of shame, insecurity, and confusion. When society denies the existence of bisexuality, bisexual individuals may internalize this message and begin to doubt their own identity. This can lead to low self-esteem, self-doubt, and even depression. It can also make it difficult for bisexuals to navigate the world and understand their place in it, potentially causing them to question their own values and beliefs.
To address these issues, there is a need for greater awareness and acceptance of bisexuality within society. Individuals, organizations, and governments must work to challenge biphobia and promote visibility and representation of bisexual individuals.
Specialized resources should be made available to meet the unique needs of bisexual individuals, including therapy, advocacy groups, and educational materials. By taking these steps, we can create a more inclusive and accepting environment for all sexual orientations.
In what ways does bisexual erasure affect relational satisfaction, social belonging, and self-concept in adults?
Bisexual erasure is defined as the omission of bisexual identities from discussions and research about sexuality, gender identity, and romantic relationships (Mereish et al. , 2018). This can have several negative consequences on relational satisfaction, social belonging, and self-concept for bisexual individuals. Firstly, this can lead to bisexuals feeling invisible and invalidated, which may negatively impact their sense of belonging and identity.