Bisexual+ people make up a large part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Even so, bi+ identities are among the most often questioned, dismissed, or overlooked, both in straight spaces and in queer ones. Two terms help name that experience: biphobia and bi erasure.
What is biphobia?
PFLAG defines biphobia as animosity, hatred, or dislike of bisexual people, which may manifest in the form of prejudice or bias. GLAAD adds that it is often based on stereotypes, including inaccurate associations with infidelity, promiscuity, and transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
Some people and organizations prefer other terms, like monosexism or anti-bi bias. They argue that “phobia” frames the harm as an individual’s fear rather than a pattern built into culture and systems. Monosexism describes the opinion that being attracted to one gender is superior to being attracted to multiple genders.
What is bi erasure?
GLAAD describes bi erasure, also called bi invisibility, as a pervasive problem in which the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality (either in general or in regard to an individual) is questioned or denied outright.
Biphobia can be loud and hostile. Bi erasure is often quieter, and it doesn’t have to involve open antagonism. It can look like:
- Assuming someone’s orientation from their current partner. If a bi man is dating a man, erasure says he’s gay; if that same man were in a relationship with a woman, bi erasure would be saying that he is straight.
- Calling bisexuality a phase, confusion, or a stop on the way to “picking a side.”
- Treating bi+ people as having “straight-passing privilege.” GLAAD notes that a bi+ person can be subjected to biphobic discrimination regardless of their partner’s gender.
- Leaving bi+ people out of research, media, and community spaces, including 2SLGBTQIA+ ones.
Why it matters for mental health
Being told again and again that your identity isn’t real takes a toll. Research reflects this. The Trevor Project found that 66% of bisexual youth felt sad and hopeless for two or more weeks in a row in the past 12 months, compared to 49% of gay and lesbian youth. GLAAD points to erasure as part of the reason bi+ people have less access to resources due to discriminatory attitudes towards bisexual+ identities.
Visibility, community, and affirming support make a real difference. Bi+ people deserve care from providers who understand that attraction to more than one gender is a full, valid identity, not an in-between.
Moving forward
Bi+ people don’t need to prove their identity through a relationship history or a partner’s gender. Naming biphobia and bi erasure is one way to make room for bi+ people to be seen as they are, all year long, not just during Bi Awareness Week.
Want to read more about bi+ life and experiences? Explore more of our articles here.
If you’re looking for support, you can find a 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming therapist in the QueerPsych directory. If you’re in crisis, visit our Crisis Resources page.
Related terms
- Bisexual / Bi+: GLAAD shares bi advocate Robyn Ochs’ definition of bisexuality as the potential to be attracted, romantically and/or sexually, to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree.
- Multisexual: An umbrella term for attraction to more than one gender. It includes bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, omnisexual, and others.
- Monosexism: The belief that attraction to one gender is the norm or is superior.
- Homophobia / Transphobia: Related forms of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ bias.
Sources
- PFLAG, PFLAG National Glossary
- GLAAD, Erasure of Bisexuality
- GLAAD, A Quick Refresher for #BiWeek
- GLAAD, Accelerating Acceptance for the Bi Community
- The Trevor Project, Bisexual Youth Mental Health Disparities & Victimization
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, LGBTIQ Terminology
