People share the most ridiculous bisexual stereotypes they’ve ever heard
Participants display a bisexual pride flag while marching from Jardim do Príncipe Real to Ribeira das Naus during the 20th LGBTI+ parade on June 29, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
It’s Bi Visibility Day today, which is the perfect moment to recognise bisexual history, as well as the bi community and its culture.
It’s also a day, if you’re bisexual, to celebrate and be proud of who you are and, if you’re not, to celebrate the bisexual people in your lives.
The event has been marked everyday since 1999.
But, Bi Visibility Day – also known as International Celebrate Bisexuality Day – highlights biphobia, too, and the continued discrimination faced by the bisexual community.
Bi Visibility Day: PinkNews bisexual readers told they are “greedy” or to “pick a side”.
The bisexual pride flag at Los Angeles Pride 2009. (David McNew/Getty Images)
PinkNews recently asked its readers on Facebook to describe the most ridiculous biphobic stereotypes they’ve ever heard, receiving nearly 100 responses.
“Now I’ve got to worry about losing you to everyone,” wrote one person.
Another reader said that they get told that their sexuality is “just a phase”.
A third Facebook user said: “That we ‘choose straight relationships’ because it’s an easier life.
“We have no control over who we fall for that might love us back.”
Another reader wrote: “I used to get, ‘You’re bi, you’re going to run off with a man as it will be easier.’
“Well I married a lesbian. We’ve been married for four years and are looking forward to many more years together. Bi people can and do have committed same sex relationships.
“I feel sorry that there are people who close off a chance of happiness all because someone does not identify with the same sexual orientation as they do.”
And another person said that they often get told “you are greedy,” or to “pick a side”.
PinkNews‘ readers highlight abuse from within LGBT+ community on Bi Visibility Day.
Alarmingly, a significant number of respondents also highlighted abuse that they receive within the LGBT+ community, including when discussing coming out or on dating apps.
One person said that they get told by “far too many gay people” that “being bi is just a stepping stone to coming out as gay or straight”.
Another user said: “DO NOT say you’re bisexual in your dating profile.
I feel sorry that there are people who close off a chance of happiness all because someone does not identify with the same sexual orientation as they do.
“Lesbians won’t want to date you because they won’t think you’re serious and straight men will fetishise you.”
Other Facebook users, however, spoke positively of their bisexual partners or lovers.
“I’ve hooked up with two guys who happened to be bi,” said one person.
“Didn’t matter that they were bi. They were fantastic kissers ?.”
A male reader, meanwhile, stuck up for his partner, simply saying: “My husband is still bi.”
