The term "bisexual" refers to individuals who are attracted romantically or sexually to both men and women. It is used to describe a spectrum of identity and behavior that ranges from exclusive attraction between male and female partners to attraction towards all genders equally. According to some researchers, bisexuals constitute up to half of the population.
Many people do not understand what this means because there is little scientific evidence to support it. This paper will explore how bisexual erasure in academic research reinforces societal myths about sexual fluidity and legitimacy.
Bisexual erasure occurs when bi-attracted individuals are not recognized or acknowledged as such due to their nonconforming gender presentation or behavior.
If an individual presents themselves as heterosexual but has had same-sex experiences, they may be dismissed as simply curious or experimenting rather than truly bisexual. In addition, bisexuals face significant stigma in society which contributes to their marginalization within academia. As a result, their voices are often silenced, leading to a lack of representation in research.
This can lead to misrepresentation and oversimplification of bisexual identities, resulting in harmful stereotypes. The idea that being bisexual is inherently promiscuous or disordered, for instance, perpetuates negative perceptions that prevent them from seeking help for mental health issues associated with their identity (e.g., anxiety).
The notion that bisexuality is unstable or transitory suggests that bisexual individuals cannot maintain long-term relationships. These falsehoods contribute to bisexual isolation and social exclusion, making it difficult for them to find meaningful connections with others who share similar interests.
Bisexual erasure contributes to misunderstanding around sexual fluidity and diversity. Society views sexual orientation as a binary choice between male/female attraction, whereas some individuals' sexualities exist on a spectrum. This binary view fails to recognize that many people experience changes over time in their romantic and sexual attractions or preferences. Therefore, bisexual erasure prevents us from understanding how sexual desires develop and change throughout one's life, creating myths about sexuality. It also implies that there is only one "correct" way to be heterosexual or homosexual, further reinforcing the idea that non-binary gender identities and expressions do not fit into society's norms.
The impacts of bisexual erasure are far-reaching and destructive. By ignoring the experiences of bi-attracted individuals, researchers contribute to misconceptions about sexuality, promote stigma and discrimination against those who identify as such, and ultimately limit our understanding of human sexuality itself.
How does bisexual erasure in academic research reinforce societal myths about sexual fluidity and legitimacy?
Researchers who study human sexuality often struggle with the issue of how to classify people based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. The binary model of male/female and straight/gay has been challenged by numerous studies that demonstrate that people can be more complex than this simple dichotomy suggests.