What is bisexual identity?
Bisexuality refers to an attraction towards people of more than one gender. It does not necessarily mean equal attraction to men and women, but rather that bisexuals are attracted to at least two different genders. Bisexual individuals may identify as male, female, nonbinary, agender, etc., and they can be cisgender, transgender, queer, and/or intersex. Bisexuality is often conflated with pansexuality, polyamory, and promiscuity, which are distinct identities. Bisexual individuals may experience discrimination within LGBTQ+ communities and society at large due to stereotypes and biases against bisexuality.
Experiences of subtle exclusion or favoritism in the workplace
In the workplace, bisexual individuals may face subtle forms of discrimination such as being passed over for opportunities or promotions despite their qualifications. This can lead to feelings of exclusion and unfairness.
A bisexual employee might feel ignored during meetings while their straight colleagues' opinions are valued more highly by management. Another form of bias could involve a bisexual person receiving negative comments about their sexuality from coworkers, leading them to become isolated or feel uncomfortable at work. Favoritism could take the form of giving preferential treatment to someone based on their perceived heterosexuality, which creates an unequal playing field.
How do these experiences shape perceptions of fairness?
These experiences can create a sense of disillusionment and frustration when it comes to workplace fairness for bisexual individuals. It can make them question whether their skills and abilities are truly being recognized or if they are being judged solely on their identity. Bisexuals who experience favoritism may struggle with feeling like they have to hide their orientation in order to succeed professionally. They may also develop a distrust of employers and coworkers who seem to benefit from this bias.
These experiences can erode trust in workplace structures and contribute to feelings of powerlessness within the workplace.
In what ways do experiences of subtle exclusion or favoritism shape your perception of workplace fairness as a bisexual individual?
Research shows that bisexual individuals often experience discrimination in the workplace due to their sexual orientation. This can take many forms, including being passed over for promotions or opportunities, facing microaggressions such as biphobic jokes or comments, or feeling like they are not fully accepted by coworkers and supervisors. These experiences can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and anxiety, which can impact job performance and overall wellbeing.