Biphobia
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Biphobia is an irrational hatred or fear of bisexuality, or the specifically bisexual parts of self-identified, well, bisexuals. Though it is very easy to conflate with homophobia, the two are separate things with specific definitions.
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[edit] Overlap with other sexuality phobias
Generally, biphobia is far less common than homophobia. Hatred towards bisexuals from certain types of people, groups and outlooks mostly centers on the fact that they are attracted (whether sexually or romantically) to people of the same sex, which is simply homophobia. Biphobia is the specific focus on the fact that they are attracted to members of both sexes, and as such has more common ground with objections to pansexual people.
The implications that go alongside biphobia vary depending on different angles different social groups come at biphobia. Heterosexual communities may deny biphobia's existence on the basis that heterosexuality is the social norm and bisexual individuals are expected to either 'come around' eventually, or remain available as part of fetishistic fixation (the idea of fantasy 'lesbians' that will both go down on a male, popularized by some pornography, for example) and not express any identity or agency outside the demands of heterosexual voyeurs. Biphobia can also come from within the LGBT community (usually exclusive homosexuals), with implications of betrayal or untrustworthiness, and the idea that bisexuals could discard the community and all of their social stigma simply by 'going stealth.'
[edit] Rationalizations
Like homophobes and transphobes, biphobes use various arguments against their chosen group. Whereas homophobic arguments have the end goal of preventing gays and transgender people from being given equal rights, biphobic arguments are more about spreading distrust and stigmatization of bisexuals.
[edit] "Bisexuals are promiscuous"
The irony of gays telling bisexuals that they are, as a group, promiscuous should be obvious, but many keep perpetuating this myth, and the same counterpoint applies: some bisexual people are promiscuous, but so are some homosexual and heterosexual people, and individuals from each group are also interested in committed, monogamous relationships. Atop that, someone exploring their sexuality is not necessarily promiscuous, and the attack works from the assumption that promiscuity is inherently bad.
[edit] "Bisexuals sleep with the enemy"
This bizarre and (thankfully) rarely-used 'argument' is usually either a form of revulsion (comparable to homophobes trying to make a point by talking about anal sex) or a commentary on bisexuals giving support to a heteronormative society. This fails simply because not all bisexuals lean towards same-sex relationships, and one shouldn't judge others for their choice in partners. One's love life should be based around self-fulfilment and sharing it, not a political statement.
[edit] "Bisexuals are just greedy / horny"
Some people just see this argument as a joke (even among bisexuals), but in the event that it's supposed to be taken seriously, it's more than likely a result of jealousy, as bisexuals (on paper) have a larger pool of potential partners. It also carries the implication that people choose to be bisexual because they are greedy, when homosexuals are routinely accused, with next to no evidence, of choosing their sexuality (aside from the notion that 'choosing' one's sexuality makes it no less valid). The "horny" accusation is similar to what homophobes say about gay people, that they are attracted to all people of the same sex. Likewise, even though there's probably someone out there who enjoys it, being stereotyped and insulted is a turn-off for bi people.
[edit] "Bisexuals are just experimenting"
'Just experimenting' is a part of exploring one's sexuality. Most awkwardness and apprehension that bisexuals feel when 'trying things out' is due to A) society's perceptions of sexuality, B) the notion of hurting someone they've experimented with if it doesn't work out and C) fear of rejection by the gay community. People explore their sexuality naturally throughout their lives, and someone being true to oneself, finding what makes them happy and the kind of people they in turn can make happy should not be discouraged.[1]
[edit] "Bisexuality does not exist"
This is known as erasure. It can take different forms, but usually consists of minimising the presence of bisexuals by identifying them as something else, be it gay, straight, greedy, or confused. The concept of sexual fluidity has been widely documented, particularly in women,[2][3][4] and the well-known Kinsey scale has stood the test of time
Many people seem to struggle with accepting that somebody could be sexually attracted to both genders, insisting instead that they must really have a preference for one or the other. Aside from being an argument from incredulity, this misses the point that bisexuals don't necessarily have to be equally attracted to both genders (a 3 on the Kinsey scale) — some are, while others may have a general preference for either men or women, but as long as they are sexually attracted to and/or willing to have sex with both, they remain bisexual by definition. This covers at least points 2 to 4 on the Kinsey scale, and arguably positions 1 and 5 as well (people who are basically heterosexual with some latent homosexual tendencies, and their gay counterparts with some hetero tendencies).
The misconception of self-identified bisexuals being just "confused" falls into the following two paradoxical categories:
[edit] "Lots of bisexuals are just closeted gays"
There is some truth to this. Yes, many gay people, on the path to coming out to themselves, will identify as bisexuals. One of Dan Savage's favourite talking points,[5] many forget to note the "lots" as opposed to "all". Many people in this situation may very well be actually bisexual, and for those that identify as bisexual during a phase as they realise they are gay, it is extremely bad etiquette to out someone to themselves without caution when they are not ready. For some, it is part of their coming out process, and may do it for their own social survival (or in some extreme cases, literal survival) in a homophobic area. What people in this process need is compassion and support, not distrust spread about them in a community they are supposed to feel safe in.
[edit] "Lots of bisexuals end up in opposite sex relationships"
On the other hand, some biphobes may point out that a lot of 'bisexuals' will cease having same-sex relationships and gravitate towards opposite-sex ones as they get older. Aside from being mostly anecdotal evidence, this method of smearing bisexual people does not look at the reasons why this trend happens. Even though by and large bisexuals lean towards attraction to one sex rather than the other, some who preferred same-sex relationships move towards opposite-sex ones in later life due to social factors.
Prejudice and bigotry towards gay people makes some bisexuals want to appear heterosexual to the outside world for their own well-being. As thoughts turn to family life, they may feel immense pressure from their own family (alongside society at large) to conform to heterosexual marriage (even before you consider that same-sex marriage or its denigrated equivalent the civil union is not legal or accepted where they live) and have children through bog-standard sexual reproduction instead of same-sex adoption or surrogacy, both for the way they themselves would be viewed and the risk of their offspring being bullied for having same-sex parents. This is especially true if they are an only child, more likely to be pressured into continuing the family line.
Though perhaps bisexuals do have to carry some portion of the blame for this, it is society that makes same-sex relationships less accepted, and this problem will slowly become less and less widespread as society inevitably progresses towards greater gay acceptance. In addition, homosexuals who spread these ideas about bisexuals in the LGBT community make said bisexuals even less likely to engage in same-sex relationships.
[edit] Conclusion
For one denigrated group of people to spread myths about another is absolutely mind-boggling. Though bisexuality has its own minefields to navigate, bisexuals should not be shunned by a movement that they can help and want to offer their own help to. Plus, you might just find a partner in someone who can swing both ways. Mrow.
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ And no, that doesn't mean you have to bang them yourself.
- ↑ Study Suggests Difference Between Female And Male Sexuality, ScienceDaily.com
- ↑ Bisexuality Not A Transitional Phase Among Women, According To New Research, ScienceDaily.com
- ↑ Women's Bodies and Minds Agree Less Than Men's On What's Sexy, ScienceDaily.com
- ↑ Bisexuals by Dan Savage, The Queer Issue: You're Doing It Wrong, The Stranger