It's 2015. Almost 2016. Same sex marriage has been legalized, shows like Orange is the New Black, Sense 8, and Pretty Little Liars, which include same sex couples along with straight, are rising in popularity, and ever so slowly, mainstream culture appears to be becoming more accepting of LGBTQ folks, but is this actually the case? In addition to the violence, discrimination in housing and work, and the fact that it is still socially acceptable to say blatantly homophobic and transphobic things in public, Queer folks still face microagressions and rude comments on the regular. Bisexual, queer, and fluid people in particular, still struggle to find acceptance in both straight and queer communities, and face biphobic microaggressions from gay and straight people alike. Here are 7 struggles bisexual folks will understand.
1) When people assume you're straight
Hey you, chill with your assumptions that I am exclusively interested in individuals of the "opposite" gender from what you perceive my gender identity to be, yo.
2) When people assume you're gay
On the other side of the same coin, you're not gay either. For example, when a straight person is interested interested in you, but suffers from an inherent misunderstanding of what bisexuality is, and therefore thinks you are gay, and off the table. The struggle is real.
3) When people think bi = slutty cheaters
Thanks RENT, Transparent, Zoe Deschanel in Our Idiot Brother, and Orange Is the New Black.
Seriously why do so many bisexuals on TV and movies have to cheat on their significant others?
4) When you're afraid to ask out someone of your gender.
Not necessarily because you're scared they'll say no, but because you don't want to make someone feel uncomfortable. (Particularly as a woman*, my solidarity and respect for other women always comes before my attraction to them. We all get enough unwanted attention and harassment from cisguys as it is.)
5) That TV and Movies are still so afraid to say the word bisexuality.
6) Concealing gender of your crush or S.O. while talking to someone you don't want to come out to, 'cause you know they would get weird about it.
7) When people try to police you.
It's just a phase. There's no such thing. No you're not. You have to choose one. You don't look bi. Have you been with both? But you're dating a guy/girl now, doesn't that make you straight?
No. No to all of that. You're not the sexuality cop. People don't need to justify their identities to you.
*As a cisgender woman, I can only speak to my own experiences. I obviously cannot speak for perspectives that aren't mine.*
