Bisexual erasure is the deliberate ignoring, denial, or exclusion of bisexual identities within LGBTQ+ communities, organizations, institutions, discourses, cultures, societies, and representations. It occurs when one group or individual fails to acknowledge another group's existence because they do not fit into their own belief system, identity, or ideology. Bisexual people are often ignored, marginalized, stereotyped, and discriminated against due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, which leads to significant psychological and cultural implications that impact individuals, families, and society at large. In education, students who identify as bisexual may experience feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. This can affect their academic performance, social relationships, and overall well-being. They may also be subjected to biphobia from teachers, peers, administrators, and parents, leading to bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence. Media depictions of bisexuality are frequently negative, stereotypical, and objectifying, reinforcing harmful tropes about bisexuality and perpetuating stigma and shame around it. Research on bisexuality is underfunded, underrepresented, and overlooked, resulting in a lack of accurate data, resources, support, and understanding for bisexual people. Without sufficient research, there is limited knowledge about bisexual experiences, needs, health risks, mental health issues, and social justice concerns. The psychological consequences of bisexual erasure include increased risk for depression, suicide, addiction, self-harm, and trauma. Cultural implications include the normalization of heterosexual and homosexual identities while silencing bisexual ones, promoting monogamy and monosexism (the belief that only one form of attraction or relationship is valid), and reinforcing binary gender roles and expectations. These factors contribute to systemic oppression and discrimination against bisexual individuals, families, and communities.
What are the cultural and psychological implications of bisexual erasure in education, media, and research?
Bisexuality is often excluded from discussions about sexual identity and orientation due to its perceived ambiguity and lack of understanding by society. This has led to a lack of resources available for those who identify as bisexual, including educational materials that fail to recognize their unique experiences. In addition, bisexual individuals may face stigma within LGBTQ+ communities for not being "queer enough" or fitting into traditional gender roles.