Biphobia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
is a term used to describe aversion felt toward bisexuality and bisexuals as a social group or as individuals. People of any sexual orientation can experience such feelings of aversion. A source ofdiscrimination against bisexuals, biphobia is based on negative bisexual stereotypes and bisexual erasure.
Etymology and use
Biphobia is a portmanteau word patterned on the term homophobia. It is derived from the English neo-classical prefix bi- (meaning "two") from bisexual and the root -phobia (from the Greek: φόβος, phóbos, "fear") found in homophobia. Along with lesbophobia, transphobia, homophobia, and gayphobia, biphobiais a member of the family of terms used when discussing issues of intolerance and discrimination towardLGBT people. Note that biphobia need not be an equivalent to the clinical or medical meaning of a phobia - an anxiety disorder. Instead, its meaning and use typically parallel those of xenophobia. The adjectival formbiphobic is used to describe things or qualities related to biphobia whereas the noun biphobe is a label for people thought to harbor biphobia[1].
Basic ideas and their negative stereotypes
Multiple negative stereotypes of bisexuals center on the belief that bisexuality does not exist and on thegeneralization that bisexuals are promiscuous.
Denialism
The belief that bisexuality does not exist stems from binary views of sexuality: a heterosexist view or a monosexist view. In the first view, people are presumed to be attracted to the opposite sex and onlyheterosexual relationships truly exist. Therefore, bisexuality, like homosexuality, is not a valid sexuality oridentity. In the second view, people are either exclusively homosexual (gay/lesbian) or exclusively heterosexual (straight). Maxims such as “people are either gay, straight or lying”[2] embody thisdichotomous view of sexual orientations.
Promiscuity
Categorizing all bisexuals as being promiscuous is a hasty generalization. Moreover, having more than one sexual partner in one’s lifetime, in addition to being commonplace in the world, is not restricted to bisexuals. People of all sexual orientations change partners, practice serial monogamy or have multiple casual sex partners. The strict association of bisexuality with promiscuity stems from a variety of negative stereotypes targeting bisexuals as mentally or socially unstable people convinced that sexual relations only with men, only with women or only with one person is not enough. As a result bisexuals bear a social stigma from accusations of cheating on or betraying their partners, leading a double life, being "on the down-low", and spreading sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. They are characterized as being "slutty", insatiable, “easy”, indiscriminate, and in the case of women, nymphomaniacs. Furthermore, they are strongly associated with polyamory, swinging, andpolygamy[3], the last being an established heterosexual tradition sanctioned by some religions and legal in several countries. group hopes to break through stereotypes about bisexualsBy Brittany Brown
brown.2956@osu.edu|
Published: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The idea of bisexuality can be a touchy subject for some. Even as the popular Katy Perry song “I Kissed a Girl” is played repeatedly on the radio and girl-on-girl action is glamorized in movies and on TV, the thought of legitimate bisexuality — sexual attraction to both sexes — can make many uncomfortable.
However, Ohio State students are working to support and raise awareness about the university’s bisexual community.
Local campus group comBIne is made up of students who are bisexual and proud of it. Tyler Benson, a fifth-year in video production and video art, said a group like comBIne is necessary to get the truth out about bisexuality.
“The media does not help with all its Girls-Gone-Wild and sensationalizing people like Tila Tequila, Megan Fox and Katy Perry ... as well as ‘party-bi’ stereotypes,” she said. “But that’s why we have comBIne, to let people know that we’re real people too and we’re not all these ridiculous things people see on TV that sell shows and movies and beers.”
Benson said the group has been raising awareness on campus and throughout Columbus. Although comBIne is still a relatively small group, it is active with regular meetings, panel discussions and guest speakers.
“We’ve marched in the Columbus Pride Parade the past two years and it’s very exciting to be perhaps the only group specific for bi persons waving bi flags and showing bi colors — magenta, purple, and blue — at the parade,” Benson said. “It really increases visibility and there have been people on the parade route who have screamed or jumped up and down or cheered as we went by because they were so glad to see bisexuality represented. With so much pressure to take sides and a lot of bi-phobia still out there in the world, visibility and community are important.”
Andrew Stock, a fourth-year in computer science and engineering, is the current vice president and webmaster for the group. Stock joined comBIne in January after seeing its booth at the Winter Involvement Fair.
“I joined because I feel the bisexual community at Ohio State needs greater presence and visibility,” Stock said.
Stock said he would like to increase the group’s numbers and “enhance the visibility of the bisexual populace at Ohio State and combat misconceptions and prejudices regarding bisexuality.”
“The discrimination I’ve felt has been more on the basis of omission or neglect rather than deliberate malice,” he said. “For example, once I was attempting to correspond with some people on leadership-related matters, and e-mails were getting silently blocked by OIT because ‘sex’ was in the subject and ‘bisexual’ was not considered an exception to the rule.”
Ben Sostrom, a sixth-year in astronomy and theater, is the president of the group. He said he feels his involvement has been eye-opening.
Being involved “has taught me that there are a lot of people out there who support us, our rights and GLBT rights in general, but also that there is so much misinformation out there, often perpetuated by the media. Like, that bisexuals can’t function in monogamous relationships, [and] that only women can be bisexual,” Sostrom said.
“That colors people’s perceptions and opinions in ways they may not even recognize.”
Sostrom said OSU is “remarkably progressive” and extremely accepting of the GLBT community. He said he has rarely experienced any problems with OSU students or faculty.
“I’ve definitely experienced prejudice at times in my life, occasionally on campus and at times in the larger Columbus community, or even from within the GLBT community itself, which is why a group like this is so necessary,” he said. “The key to stopping hate is most crucially spreading awareness and fostering understanding, and this group has definitely worked to do both.”
Stock said he generally does not receive personal attacks around campus, but stereotypes can be a problem.
“It really bothers me when I hear things like ‘bisexuality is a choice,’ ‘I would have a hard time dating a bisexual person,’ or ‘bisexuality is generally for people who aren’t ready to admit that they’re gay,’” Stock said. “Biphobia is a very real phenomenon, even within the gay and lesbian community. Within comBIne, I’ve tried to try and combat some of these misconceptions.”
Benson said she is grateful for the opportunity to get involved with comBIne because of how it has helped her....
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