Bisexual people often experience discrimination and oppression due to their sexual orientation. This can include negative stereotypes, misconceptions, and biphobia from both heterosexual and homosexual communities. Bisexuals may be denied acceptance and representation in LGBTQ+ spaces because they are perceived as uncommitted or indecisive. They may also face double discrimination based on their gender identity, leading them to feel invisible or silenced within queer spaces. These experiences can have significant impacts on bisexuals' mental health, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts compared to heterosexuals or homosexuals.
Cultural mechanisms that reinforce bisexual erasure include the idea that sexuality is binary and fixed, where individuals must identify as either straight or gay/lesbian. The media portrayal of bisexuality has been limited and often negative, perpetuating harmful myths about bisexuality being simply promiscuous or sexually open.
Many people believe bisexuals are less committed than monosexuals and less likely to enter into long-term relationships. These cultural beliefs contribute to a lack of understanding and support for bisexuals, which in turn leads to marginalization in social settings.
Social mechanisms that reinforce bisexual erasure include isolation and disempowerment in LGBTQ+ communities. Many bisexuals feel left out or ignored by these communities, despite identifying with the broader LGBTQ+ movement. Heteronormativity in mainstream culture contributes to this exclusion, as it assumes everyone is straight until proven otherwise. This creates barriers for bisexuals who wish to express their identity, form meaningful connections, and access resources.
Structural mechanisms that reinforce bisexual erasure include institutional prejudice in workplaces, education, politics, and the legal system. Bisexuals may be denied employment opportunities due to fears they will be unfaithful or spread diseases, or face discrimination when seeking healthcare services. They may also encounter bias from government agencies, such as those handling adoption or immigration applications. In some countries, bisexuals may even face criminal prosecution or physical violence.
The intersection of bisexual erasure with other axes of marginalization adds additional layers of complexity.
Bisexuals of color may experience racism within both hetero- and homosexual communities, leading them to feel rejected and isolated on multiple levels. Bisexuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds may have fewer resources to navigate oppression and advocate for themselves. These intersections can create unique challenges and require more nuanced solutions to address.
Bisexual erasure is a complex issue that affects many aspects of society. By understanding its causes and consequences, we can begin to dismantle harmful attitudes and promote acceptance and inclusion for all sexual orientations.
What are the structural, social, and cultural mechanisms that reinforce bisexual erasure, and how do these intersect with other axes of marginalization such as race, class, and gender?
One reason for bisexual erasure could be a lack of awareness about nonmonosexual identities among wider populations. In the United States, bisexuals have been historically stigmatized due to prejudice against homosexuality and heteronormativity, which leads to their experiences being excluded from both gay communities and straight spaces.