Despite growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, those who identify as bisexual often find themselves caught between worlds.
Bisexual Awareness Week, from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23, sheds light on the unique challenges and stigmas surrounding bisexuality.
“People will think that just because you’re dating someone of the opposite gender, you’re straight,” Rae Wilson, a freshman entrepreneurship major, said. “There’s a major stereotype that whoever you’re dating determines your sexuality, but that’s not how it works.”
Ken Ditlevson, the director of Kent State’s LGBTQ+ Center, emphasized that bisexual people have struggles even within the queer community.
“There’s a lot of bi-erasure, where bi identities aren’t recognized,” Ditlevson said. “Some folks in the community feel like it’s a placeholder; that people are not [bisexual], but they’re truly gay or lesbian and are using this as a more safe alternative. But that’s not the case.”
While bisexuals make up a significant portion of the LGBTQ+ community, misconceptions and stereotypes about people who identify as bisexual persist.
“A stereotype that is often perpetuated in the media is that they’re sleeping around; they’re greedy and jump at anything that moves, but that’s not the case either,” Ditlevson said.
These misconceptions can have profound impacts on bisexual people.
“People assume that you’re attracted to anyone that walks by just because you’re attracted to multiple genders,” Wilson said.
Wilson also noted a more personal toll of the misconceptions surrounding bisexuality. When they came out as bisexual to their mother, she asked when they were going to break up with their boyfriend.
“And I said, ‘Never? I like men and women,’” Wilson said. “She just doesn’t understand that you can be attracted to multiple genders. If I was just straight-up straight or straight-up gay, she wouldn’t care, but because I’m dating a guy, she thinks I’m straight.”
Wilson’s experiences underscore the difficulty bisexual individuals often face in being understood.
To encourage those battling with stereotypes and stigmas, Ditlevson emphasized the importance of community.
“To the folks that are struggling with their identity: you are fine the way you are,” Ditlevson said. “It’s really common in the beginning stages to hate that piece of you, but if we can move past that and learn more and find other people that have that identity … we see really really good things.”
As Bisexual Awareness Week approaches, it allows the opportunity for growth and understanding both within and outside of the queer community. Wilson expressed that they find the week “empowering” and hope it will help bisexuals embrace their identities with pride.
“I’m bisexual,” Wilson said, “and I’m happy with who I am.”
Grace Claxon is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
