Bisexual erasure is a serious issue that has been plaguing bisexuals for decades. It refers to the act of intentionally or unintentionally denying, ignoring, or eradicating evidence of bisexuality or bisexual people from public discourse, society, history, culture, literature, art, politics, media, and religion. Bisexual erasure can be particularly damaging in religious contexts, where it perpetuates stigma and misconceptions about bisexuality. This article will explore how bisexual erasure in religious doctrine influences intergenerational transmission of stigma and what steps can be taken to counteract this phenomenon.
The Role of Religion in Society
Religion plays a crucial role in shaping societal norms and values. Religions often dictate social norms regarding sexuality, gender roles, relationships, family structures, and more.
Many major religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism have strict rules regarding marriage, which typically restrict who an individual can marry based on their gender identity.
These religions may place restrictions on same-sex relationships, limiting them to non-marital status. As a result, individuals who identify as bisexual are often forced to choose between their faith and their sexual orientation, leading to feelings of alienation and isolation.
Many religions also emphasize heterosexuality and monogamy as ideal relationship structures, excluding those who identify as bisexual from these ideals. Bisexual individuals may feel pressure to conform to traditional binary gender roles and heterosexual relationships to avoid stigma within their communities. This can lead to internalized biphobia and self-denial of one's own bisexuality.
Bisexuals may feel pressured to hide their identities or pretend to be gay or straight to fit into their religious communities.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Stigma
The intergenerational transmission of stigma refers to the passing down of negative attitudes and beliefs about a particular group from one generation to the next. When bisexual erasure occurs in religious doctrine, it reinforces negative stereotypes and misconceptions about bisexuality that are then passed down to future generations. Children growing up in religious environments with these ideas are more likely to hold prejudiced views towards bisexual people and fail to recognize and accept their peers who identify as bisexual.
Children who grow up in Christian households where bisexuality is seen as sinful may internalize this message and develop negative attitudes toward bisexuals. They may view them as immoral or promiscuous and exclude them from social circles, perpetuating the cycle of bias. As these children grow older, they may become parents themselves and pass on these harmful attitudes to their own children, creating a vicious cycle of stigmatization.
Steps to Counteract Bisexual Erasure in Religious Doctrine
To counteract bisexual erasure in religious doctrine, there must be intentional efforts made by religious leaders, educators, and community members to create inclusive spaces for bisexual individuals. This includes acknowledging bisexual identities within religious texts and teachings, recognizing the unique challenges bisexuals face, and providing support for those who come out as bisexual.
LGBTQ+ organizations and allies can work with religious communities to challenge biphobic ideologies and promote acceptance and understanding.
It is also crucial to reframe discussions around sexual orientation and gender identity to include bisexuality as a valid identity. Rather than focusing solely on heterosexual relationships or binary genders, conversations about sexuality should acknowledge the existence and experiences of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Education and awareness campaigns about bisexuality can help dispel misconceptions and biases surrounding bisexuality.
How does bisexual erasure in religious doctrine influence intergenerational transmission of stigma?
Bisexual erasure is a common phenomenon within many religions that promotes negative views towards bisexuality and often leads to its repression. This can have significant implications for how bisexual individuals view themselves and their identities, as well as impacting their ability to form healthy relationships with family members who may be uncomfortable with their sexual orientation.