Doctors and nurses have been found to be biased against bisexuals in several studies, even though they are expected to provide impartial care for all patients regardless of their identities. This bias has been documented in the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, China, and India. In one study published in the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health in 2018, healthcare providers reported that they felt uncomfortable discussing sexual orientation issues with bisexual patients and were less likely to recommend them preventive screenings. Another study from The American Journal of Public Health in 2019 found that bisexual women had more negative experiences seeking healthcare than lesbians, gay men, and heterosexual people.
Healthcare professionals often assume that bisexuality is an identity crisis or a phase instead of a legitimate sexual orientation. They may also believe that bisexuals are promiscuous, which can lead them to treat bisexual patients differently than straight patients.
Doctors might ask more questions about sexual history from bisexual patients because they perceive bisexual people as having more sex partners. Bisexual patients may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or invalidated by these attitudes and avoid seeking medical care altogether.
The long-term effects of this discrimination can be significant. Bisexual people who experience stigma in healthcare settings may delay or skip routine checkups, leading to later diagnoses of illnesses that could have been treated sooner if caught early. They may also be less likely to seek treatment for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. As a result, their overall quality of life may suffer. Bisexual people may also miss out on important information about sexual health, including testing for STIs and HIV/AIDS.
If you're bisexual and want to ensure you receive the best possible care from your doctor, consider finding one who is openly supportive of LGBTQ+ people and has experience working with bisexual patients. You can also bring a friend or partner along to appointments to advocate for you and help you navigate any bias you encounter.
Remember that you deserve respect and dignity regardless of your sexual orientation, and don't hesitate to speak up if you feel mistreated by your healthcare provider.
Have you ever experienced discrimination in healthcare settings due to your bisexuality, and what were the long-term effects?
Many bisexual individuals may have experienced various forms of discrimination in healthcare settings based on their sexual orientation, which can lead to negative long-term impacts on their physical and mental well-being. Bisexual people often face stigma and prejudice from both heterosexual and homosexual communities, leading to feelings of isolation, shame, and fear of rejection.