The Erasure of Bisexuality: A Crisis

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In light of Bisexuality Awareness Week in September, we delve into the nuances of the bisexual identity.

Bisexuality in itself is quite varied, it exists on a spectrum and is fluid, yet it occupies a peripheral and a seemingly ‘undecided’ space, in between heteronormative and queer circles. Over the years bisexual individuals have had to step over and brush away many such questions in the quest to merely claim to be someone who is attracted to both men and women; and have learned that it is not just heterosexual people, but also people within the queer community themselves who have thrown such doubts at the existence of this identity. 

The bisexual experience is often described in the community as a dilemma, which starts from them struggling to ‘pass’ as straight in heteronormative circles, but also when they do decide on fully embracing their identities, they feel as imposters within queer spaces, as being ‘inauthentic’. Their identities pushed to the sidelines along with their identities; and all of this is not just anecdotal, since studies imply that bisexuals are less than half as likely to come out as compared to gay and lesbian people. Only 20% (in 2020) are out to their family members, and only 36% are out to friends. And as it is known, one is less likely to seek out queer community if one isn’t out to friends and family, in which case one is also less likely to feel like one is part of something. These numbers aren’t just statistics, they signify a deeper malice that afflicts a whole community.

Erasure is described as the removal of one’s identity (or of a part of one’s identity). Bisexual erasure in its extreme form takes place in its denial while in other forms may look as over sexualization of bi women, and the erasure of bi men from mainstream media. Within the queer community, it can include, denying or questioning the validity of bisexuality, labelling bisexual people as straight or gay based on their current partner’s gender identity, dismissing bisexuality as a phase or as a pit stop to being gay, downplaying issues that plague bisexuals in particular, or perpetuating negative stereotypes of promiscuity or even claiming that bisexuals spread sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS.

With all of this stigma and friction from both sides of the spectrum directed towards bisexual people, self doubt becomes a natural state of being and shrinking one’s identities to fit a certain mold becomes the default. As radically as one might feel for queer rights, it often feels that one’s contributions or beliefs as bisexual persons, will always be secondary and these identities will always be questioned. This sort of erasure leaves the community stranded and feeling as though one has both feet in different boats but can’t be accepted by either. 

A 2017 review of 52 studies suggests that compared to heterosexuals, bisexual people had higher rates of depression and anxiety, and higher or equivalent rates of these conditions when compared to those who identify as gay. There is also some evidence that indicates that bisexual persons fared worse than their heterosexual and homosexual counterparts during the pandemic, including greater stress, loneliness, psychological distress and fatigue; and poorer mental and physical health than those identifying as straight or gay. All this disparity is a result of the invalidation of bisexual identities. Ethan Meredith, a psychologist and associate professor of health studies at the American University in Washington D.C., said that this kind of discrimination from inside and beyond the queer community creates a “double closet” that can discourage bisexual people from coming out and seeking support and community. The shame and anxiety that arises out of disappearing bisexual realities and issues further alienates and keeps us from accessing resources. 

There are several arguments within queer spaces, that bisexual individuals have a privilege of passing off as straight in day to day life in comparison to gay, lesbian, trans and non-binary people. This means that often, bisexual people have an advantage of being accorded the same rights and privileges as heterosexuals. 

However, there are also several valid counter arguments, stating that this outlying and invisible position that bisexual individuals are assigned, is not privilege, and the pressure that arises from either having to hide ones identity, or having to constantly correct people’s erroneous assumptions about one's sexuality is damaging and reductive. 

Most importantly, these divisions and stereotypes create boundaries between ‘queerness’ and ‘straightness’, disregarding the inherently fluid nature of sexuality itself, and goes against the principles of inclusivity and acceptance that one seeks to hold in high regard when talking about queer rights.

The LGBTQ+ community has always existed as a large and varied community, based on the shared solidarity among people with identities that have been long marginalized and rejected by mainstream society. We stand for the shared struggles across diverse sexualities and intersecting identities; thus in a community that has its very foundation in creating an environment where the ‘unwanted’ can feel dignified and accepted; biphobia and bi erasure should have no room to exist. Divisions and stereotyping based on how or who one loves only recreates the same exclusion which we have so vehemently fought for decades and deepens queer phobia from heteronormative society . At the end of the day, as queer folk, we all portray and perceive our identities in our own unique ways; it is the array and variety of the people that are included within the umbrella that makes us queer, it is our diversity that makes us so fabulous and unique. 

Written by Sia Rauthan, 1st Year, Philosophy Hons