Okay, hate may be a strong word...
But my interest in the LGBTQ+ community has revealed some pretty harmful stereotypes that continue to perpetrate the gay and lesbian population, specifically when it comes to bisexual people.
I'll dive right in.
Firstly, there's this idea that bisexual people are after one thing and one thing only. Sex. Just sex.
Not companionship, nor a fulfilling adult relationship with another human being, regardless of their gender.
No sir. Bisexual people only ever want the D and the V, apparently.
Devoid of human emotion, bisexual people are controlled by their libidos and the poor partner of a bisexual person is supposedly condemned to live a life of unease, constantly questioning his/her partners motives.
"Will he leave me for a guy? Will he cheat on me with a man?"
"Will she leave me for a girl? Will she cheat on me with a woman?"
Of course, these questions are founded upon one, pervasive idea.
That bisexual people are inherently more promiscuous by nature than wholly straight or homosexual people.
But why is this?
Predominantly binary views about sexuality are due to our hetero-normative culture.
This culture continues to posit the theory (normally via social media and TV soaps) that only homosexuals and heterosexuals exist.
There is no in-between.
This means that a lot of people think that bisexuality is "just a phase" or a way for people to indulge and experiment sexually with multiple people.
One example of this disbelief in bisexuality is the fandom of Adventure Time.
The relationship depicted between Marceline and Princess Bubblegum in the comic Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens, alludes that the two have a more intimate connection with each other. This is especially evident when Marceline reveals her jealousy towards Bubblegum's attraction to a male character, Guy.
But many fans have brushed aside the idea of a potential bisexual coupling, stating that Bubblegum's attraction to Guy couldn't possibly mean she could also be attracted to Marceline.
These common assumptions about binary sexuality makes it seem like bisexuals just can't make up their minds. Or they are somehow confused about who they want to have sex with.
Or worse. They just get dismissed as cheats and frauds.
Refusing to accept bisexuality as a legitimate sexuality is therefore socially damaging,
because it trivializes this form of sexual expression to the point where (sadly) some people just refuse to believe bisexual people exist.
Which completely sucks. So I'll try and clear some things up.
So just give them a break already!
Everybody who considers themselves an LGBTQ+ member should refuse to accept such crazy stereotyping. We should all be supporting each other in a way that includes everybody.
To all our bisexual brothers and sisters, peace!
But my interest in the LGBTQ+ community has revealed some pretty harmful stereotypes that continue to perpetrate the gay and lesbian population, specifically when it comes to bisexual people.
I'll dive right in.
Firstly, there's this idea that bisexual people are after one thing and one thing only. Sex. Just sex.
Not companionship, nor a fulfilling adult relationship with another human being, regardless of their gender.
No sir. Bisexual people only ever want the D and the V, apparently.
Devoid of human emotion, bisexual people are controlled by their libidos and the poor partner of a bisexual person is supposedly condemned to live a life of unease, constantly questioning his/her partners motives.
"Will he leave me for a guy? Will he cheat on me with a man?"
"Will she leave me for a girl? Will she cheat on me with a woman?"
Of course, these questions are founded upon one, pervasive idea.
That bisexual people are inherently more promiscuous by nature than wholly straight or homosexual people.
But why is this?
Predominantly binary views about sexuality are due to our hetero-normative culture.
This culture continues to posit the theory (normally via social media and TV soaps) that only homosexuals and heterosexuals exist.
There is no in-between.
This means that a lot of people think that bisexuality is "just a phase" or a way for people to indulge and experiment sexually with multiple people.
One example of this disbelief in bisexuality is the fandom of Adventure Time.
 |
| Google images: Marceline and Bubblegum are alluded to having a thing goin' on. |
The relationship depicted between Marceline and Princess Bubblegum in the comic Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens, alludes that the two have a more intimate connection with each other. This is especially evident when Marceline reveals her jealousy towards Bubblegum's attraction to a male character, Guy.
But many fans have brushed aside the idea of a potential bisexual coupling, stating that Bubblegum's attraction to Guy couldn't possibly mean she could also be attracted to Marceline.
These common assumptions about binary sexuality makes it seem like bisexuals just can't make up their minds. Or they are somehow confused about who they want to have sex with.
Or worse. They just get dismissed as cheats and frauds.
Refusing to accept bisexuality as a legitimate sexuality is therefore socially damaging,
because it trivializes this form of sexual expression to the point where (sadly) some people just refuse to believe bisexual people exist.
Which completely sucks. So I'll try and clear some things up.
- Just because a person has verbally admitted to finding both men and women sexually attractive, it doesn't mean that they will attempt to pursue any man or woman they see.
- Bisexuality is NOT a synonym for polygamy.
- Bisexuals form sexual bonds, just like any person does.
- Bisexual people can commit and settle down with one person.
- Bisexual people also like to sleep around and have fun, exactly like some straight, lesbian and gay people do.
- A bisexual person is no more likely to be a hyper-sexual horn-dog than anybody else.
So just give them a break already!
Everybody who considers themselves an LGBTQ+ member should refuse to accept such crazy stereotyping. We should all be supporting each other in a way that includes everybody.
To all our bisexual brothers and sisters, peace!
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