There are many forms of erasure that impact the bisexual community, including biphobic violence, biphobia, bi-antagonism, bi-denialism, and bi-invisibility, among others. This paper will discuss how bisexual erasure specifically affects academia and activism to further illustrate how this phenomenon disadvantages bisexuals in comparison to their gay and lesbian counterparts. Bisexuals face unique challenges compared to monosexuals that must be acknowledged, addressed, and rectified to create more equitable spaces for everyone.
Biphobia is the fear of bisexual people. It manifests in various ways, such as denying bisexuality exists, discounting it as "just a phase," and assuming all bisexuals eventually pick one gender or another. Bi-invisibility, meanwhile, is the idea that bisexuals are invisible because they do not fit into either category of gay or straight. Many people assume bisexual individuals are just experimenting or lying about their sexual orientation. The lack of recognition of bisexuality as a legitimate sexual identity can lead to poor mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide attempts.
Bisexual erasure in academia is also prevalent. In some fields, researchers may exclude bisexuals from studies regarding sexual orientation, leaving them feeling excluded or ignored. In other cases, scholars may lump bisexuals together with heterosexuals, erasing their distinct needs and experiences. This is particularly problematic when talking about HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual health services, or family planning initiatives.
LGBT advocacy organizations often focus on gay and lesbian rights while ignoring bisexual concerns. These actions perpetuate bi-antagonism, which involves the deliberate suppression of bisexual identity and culture.
Bisexual erasure has serious consequences for bisexual individuals, including increased stigma, marginalization, and even violence. Academics and activists must recognize the unique challenges faced by bisexuals and work towards greater equity within the broader LGBT movement. Only then will we truly achieve equality for all members of our community.
How does bisexual erasure in academia and activism perpetuate unequal recognition within the LGBT umbrella?
The topic of bisexuality is still often discussed only as part of a binary between heterosexuality and homosexuality, with bisexuals themselves being excluded from discussions and advocacy efforts. This reinforces the idea that bisexual people are not legitimate members of the LGBT community and leads to their marginalization within it.