What is a bisexual person?
A bisexual person is someone who is romantically and/or sexually attracted to more than one gender, but not necessarily equally so. Bisexuals may identify as male, female, nonbinary, transgender, agender, genderfluid, intersex, androgynous, etc. Some bisexuals are monogamous while others prefer polyamory or open relationships.
Microaggressions, invalidation, and erasure
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional forms of discrimination against marginalized groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, appearance, weight, etc.
A person might assume that all gay men have AIDS, that women don't enjoy sports, or that transgender people are confused about their identity. Invalidations are direct attacks on an individual's identity, experiences, feelings, or beliefs, such as telling a black person they aren't really black or accusing a woman of exaggerating her experience of harassment. Erasure is the act of ignoring or denying the existence of marginalized individuals or groups in society, for instance by refusing to acknowledge that bisexuals exist.
Bisexual individuals can face microaggressions from both LGBTQ+ and heteronormative contexts. From within the LGBTQ+ community, bisexuals may be told that they're just 'not ready to commit', that they're promiscuous, that they're greedy or indecisive, or that they only like one gender because it's trendy. Bisexual women may be stereotyped as being more sexually active than straight or lesbian women, while bisexual men may be accused of not being masculine enough. Heterosexual individuals may assume that bisexual people are confused about their sexuality or that they will eventually 'choose' either side. They may also pressure bisexuals to choose between genders, questioning whether they truly desire non-binary partners, or believing that bisexual relationships must involve threesomes.
These forms of invalidation can lead to isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Bisexual individuals need to find support networks where they feel understood and accepted for who they are, regardless of their romantic/sexual preferences. This includes access to mental health resources and safe spaces to explore their identities without fear of judgement or misunderstanding.
Navigating different contexts
To navigate these issues, bisexual individuals often have to code-switch between LGBTQ+ and heteronormative settings, concealing their identity when necessary to avoid discrimination or prejudice. This can cause them to internalize negative messages about themselves and their community, leading to self-doubt and erasure. To counteract this, bisexuals need to seek out communities that affirm their identity and values, such as bisexual social groups, conferences, advocacy organizations, online forums, and literature. They should also challenge stereotypes and educate others on the realities of bisexuality through personal narratives, storytelling, and activism.
Bisexual individuals face unique challenges in navigating both LGBTQ+ and heteronormative contexts due to microaggressions, invalidations, and erasures. To overcome these barriers, they need to seek out affirming communities, practice self-care, and advocate for change within society at large. By doing so, they can reclaim their identity and experience the full spectrum of human emotion, connection, and intimacy.
How do bisexual individuals perceive and navigate microaggressions, subtle invalidation, and social erasure within both LGBTQ+ and heteronormative contexts?
Microaggressions, subtle invalidations, and social erasures are common experiences for many people who identify as bisexual. These experiences can be particularly challenging because they often occur in both LGBTQ+ and heteronormative contexts. Bisexual individuals may feel pressure to "choose" one identity over another, which can lead to feelings of confusion, isolation, and rejection from both communities.