Biphobia

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Pride flag for bisexuals

Biphobia denotes an aversion to bisexuality and bisexual people as a social group or individuals. It can be shown, for example, by denying that bisexuality is a really existing form of sexual orientation . Biphobia can also mean that someone has prejudice against bisexuals (such as that they are promiscuous and unfaithful). People of any sexual orientation can experience biphobia or spread it themselves.

Etymology and Distribution

Biphobia is a trunk word based on the word homophobia . It is derived from the Latin prefix bi- (“two”) and the word “phobia” ( ancient Greek φόβος phóbos , German “fear” ). Along with the terms transphobia and homophobia , it belongs to the family of terms used to describe intolerance and discrimination against the LGBT community; it is not a phobia in the clinical sense. It is more like xenophobia .

species

denial

For example, biphobia can mean that people claim that bisexuality is not a real form of sexual orientation. Among other things, this can imply that people who describe themselves as bisexual are not really bisexual. Biphobia also includes claims that bisexuality is much less common than it appears. This view can stem from a heterosexist view, according to which heterosexuality is the only naturally occurring sexual orientation. So anything that deviates from heterosexuality is seen as a psychological disorder or an example of antisocial behavior . In this respect, biphobia is similar to homophobia .

Another form of denial has its roots in a binary view of sexuality: It is assumed that people are monosexual , i.e. either purely homosexual ( lesbian / gay ) or purely heterosexual. In the 1980s, sex research still assumed that only homosexuality and heterosexuality were legitimate forms of sexual orientation; Bisexuality was dismissed as secondary homosexuality. Under this model, it was assumed that bisexuals were lesbians / gays in disguise who tried to appear heterosexual, or that they were people from one of the two forms of sexual orientation who were merely experimenting outside of their “normal” form. Maxim such as “people are either homosexual, straight or lying” show this dichotomous view of sexual orientation.

Another form of biphobia does not deny the existence of bisexuality, but regards it as an equal attraction to men and women. This means that bisexual people who feel differently attracted to men or women are classified as either heterosexual or homosexual. It happens that bisexuality is accepted for women, but the existence of bisexual men is denied.

Yet another form of biphobia regards bisexuality as just a social trend and not an intrinsic characteristic of people. Sex with the same sex is only seen as a substitute for "normal" sex or as an easier-to-achieve form of sexual satisfaction. Occasional homosexuality in gender-segregated settings (such as prisons) is cited as an example of this form.

Not only heterosexual, but also homosexual people spread biphobia. For the latter, this is related to the fact that bisexuals are less stigmatized because they can still meet social expectations such as marriage and starting a family. This means that they are seen as "not enough for either group" or "not really part of the lesbian and gay community". A study conducted in Australia by Roffee and Wailing in 2016 found that bisexuals experience aggression, bullying and anti-social behavior from the lesbian and gay community.

Throughout history and by scholars, the occurrence of bisexuality has often been swept under the carpet, re-explained or otherwise relativized. At times, the existence of bisexuality has even been completely denied. This phenomenon is called bisexual erasure ( English ; "bisexual repression", literally "bisexual erasure" or "bisexual erasure").

Homophobia allegations against bisexual men

Some bisexual men feel that they need to hide their bisexuality from gay men in order to be accepted by them as partners or members of the community. Some see this condition as even more difficult than dealing with heteronormativity . Gay men who do not enjoy anal sex also have similar problems , which some gay men consider homophobic.

prejudices

People who do not accept bisexuality as a legitimate orientation see bisexuals as "confused, indecisive, insecure, experimenting or in transition". They often associate bisexuality with promiscuity and perceive bisexuals as socially or psychologically unstable people for whom a monogamous relationship is simply not enough. As a result, bisexuals are socially stigmatized and accused of wanting to cheat on their partners, lead a double life , and spread sexually transmitted diseases through their promiscuity . Their behavior is described as " sloppy " and " nymphomaniac ". They are often associated with polyamory , swingers, and polygamy . These prejudices are inappropriate because bisexuals are just as capable of monogamous relationships as homo- or heterosexuals.

Effects

The effects of biphobia on bisexual people can be psychological and health consequences. Studies have shown that bisexuals often feel torn between heterosexuality and homosexuality and consequently deny their sexuality. One of the effects of this is low self-esteem and self-esteem. The feeling of not being fully accepted by either side is more likely to lead to depression.

A study of groups at risk for the transmission of HIV shows that bisexual women are more likely to display risky behaviors that can lead to transmission. This is explained by the fact that because of the stigma, they are afraid to speak to health professionals about their sexuality.

Bisexual people experience different forms of discrimination than gays or lesbians, for example:

  • Bisexuals are less likely to succeed in applying for refugee status in Canada or Australia ;
  • They are more affected by domestic violence ;
  • bisexual adolescents show riskier behavior;
  • Bisexuals who report being in active relationships with both sexes are more likely to have anxiety or mood disorders;
  • poverty rates are higher among bisexuals than heterosexuals or homosexuals;
  • they tend not to come out .

Sexology in Germany is now turning back to the topics of bisexuality and biphobia. A comprehensive sociological study based on qualitative interviews was published by Kim Ritter. The Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation has also published an overview volume on research approaches to bisexuality.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ MJ Eliason: The prevalence and nature of biphobia in heterosexual undergraduate students . In: Archives of Sexual Behavior . 26, No. 3, 1997, pp. 317-26. doi : 10.1023 / A: 1024527032040 . PMID 9146816 .
  2. ↑ Michael Musto, April 7, 2009. Ever Meet a Real Bisexual? ( Memento of the original from April 13, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. In: The Village Voice @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / blogs.villagevoice.com
  3. ↑ Kenji Yoshino: The Epistemic Contract of Bisexual Erasure . In: Stanford Law School (Ed.): Stanford Law Review . 52, No. 2, January 2000, pp. 353-461. doi : 10.2307 / 1229482 .
  4. ↑ Why Do Lesbians Hate Bisexuals? In: lesbilicious.co.uk. April 11, 2008, accessed March 26, 2011 .
  5. ↑ Jessica Geen: Bisexual workers 'excluded by lesbian and gay colleagues'. October 28, 2009, accessed March 26, 2011 .
  6. ^ Dworkin, SH: Treating the bisexual client . In: Journal of Clinical Psychology . 57, No. 5, 2001, pp. 671-680. doi : 10.1002 / jclp.1036 . PMID 11304706 .
  7. ↑ Do Bisexual Men Really Exist? (en) . Retrieved February 12, 2017.  Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  8. ^ Lani Ka'ahumanu, Rob Yaeger: Biphobia. (No longer available online.) In: UC San Diego. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016 ; accessed on September 22, 2016 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / lgbt.ucsd.edu
  9. ↑ Breanne Fahs: Compulsory Bisexuality ?: The Challenges of Modern Sexual Fluidity . In: Journal of Bisexuality . 9, No. 3-4, November 13, 2009, ISSN  1529-9716 , pp. 431-449. doi : 10.1080 / 15299710903316661 .
  10. ↑ James A. Roffee, Andrea Waling: Rethinking microaggressions and anti-social behavior against LGBTIQ + youth . In: Safer Communities . 15, No. 4, October 10, 2016, pp. 190–201. doi : 10.1108 / SC-02-2016-0004 .
  11. ^ Loraine Hutchins: Sexual Prejudice: The erasure of bisexuals in academia and the media. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. In: National Sexuality Resource Center (Ed.): American Sexuality magazine . 3, No. 4, 2005.
  12. ^ Loraine Hutchins: Sexual Prejudice - The erasure of bisexuals in academia and the media . In: American Sexuality Magazine . National Sexuality Resource Center, San Francisco State University. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2007.
  13. ↑ Word Of The Gay: BisexualErasure. In: Queers United , May 16, 2008
  14. ↑ Ron Suresha: The B Word. Options RI November 2004
  15. ↑ Ron Jackson Suresha, Pete Chvany: Bi Men: Coming Out Every Which Way , 2013
  16. ↑ Gerald P. Mallon: Social Work Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People . 2017
  17. ^ "It's Just A Phase" Is Just A Phrase. In: The Bisexual Index
  18. ^ "Bisexuals and the Slut Myth". (PDF) 9th International Conference on Bisexuality
  19. ↑ Ritter, Kim: Beyond Monosexuality: Self-labeling and conflicts of recognition of bisexual people. Giessen 2020: Psychosozial-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8379-2945-4
  20. ^ GLAAD: Cultural Interest Media
  21. ↑ Are Bisexuals Really Less Monogamous Than Everyone Else? Accessed February 12, 2017 . Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  22. ↑ Brian Dodge, Phillip W. Schnarrs, Michael Reece, Omar Martinez, Gabriel Goncalves, David Malebranche, Barbara Van Der Pol, Ryan Nix, J. Dennis Fortenberry: Individual and Social Factors Related to Mental Health Concerns Among Bisexual Men in the Midwestern United States . In: Journal of Bisexuality . tape 12 , no. 2 , April 2012, ISSN  1529-9716 , p. 223–245 , doi : 10.1080 / 15299716.2012.674862 , PMID 22745591 , PMC 3383005 (free full text).
  23. ↑ Ritter, Kim: Beyond Monosexuality: Self-labeling and conflicts of recognition of bisexual people. Giessen 2020: Psychosozial-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8379-2945-4
  24. ↑ V. Gonzales, KM Washienko, MR crown, LI Chapman, EM Arredondo: sexual and drug-use risk factors for HIV and STDs: a comparison of women with and without bisexual experiences. In: American Journal of Public Health . tape 89 , no. 12 , December 1, 1999, ISSN  0090-0036 , p. 1841–1846 , doi : 10.2105 / ajph.89.12.1841 , PMID 10589313 , PMC 1509027 (free full text) - ( ajph.aphapublications.org [PDF]).
  25. ↑ Harvey J Makadon MD, Kevin L Ard MD, MPH: Improving the Health Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People: Understanding and Eliminating Health Disparities . (PDF) In: US Department of Health and Human Services (Ed.): Fenway Institute . July 9, 2012.
  26. ↑ Sean Rehaag: Bisexuals need not apply: a comparative appraisal of refugee law and policy in Canada, the United States, and Australia In: The International Journal of Human Rights , 13, 2010, pp. 2-3, 415-436, doi : 10.1080 / 13642980902758226
  27. ↑ Mikel L. Walters, Jieru Chen, Matthew J. Breiding: The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation . (PDF) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA January 2013.
  28. ↑ Laura Kann et al .: Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Risk Behaviors among Students in Grades 9-12: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, Selected Sites, United States, 2001. (PDF) 2011. 2009. (PDF ) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Early Release 60, pp. 1-133.
  29. ↑ Wendy B. Bostwick et al .: Dimensions of Sexual Orientation and the Prevalence of Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the United States. In: American Journal of Public Health. 100, No. 3, 2010, pp. 468-475, doi: 10.2105 / AJPH.2008.152942 , PMC 2820045 (free full text).
  30. ^ A Survey of LGBT Americans: The LGBT Population and Its Sub-Groups. (PDF) Pew Research Center, June 13, 2013.
  31. ↑ Ritter, Kim: Beyond Monosexuality: Self-labeling and conflicts of recognition of bisexual people. Giessen 2020: Psychosozial-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8379-2945-4
  32. ↑ Ritter, Kim; Voss, Heinz-Jürgen: Being Bi. Bisexuality between invisibility and chic (Hirschfeld Lectures, Volume 13). GöttIngen 2019: Wallstein-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8353-3402-1