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#BiActivistsAreSickOfHearing Reminds Us That Biphobia Is TOO Real
Sorry, but we can't keep acting like biphobia doesn't exist.
Last night, #BiActivistsAreSickOfHearing was started, and as soon as the ball got rolling, it just couldn’t stop. Biphobia is alive and well (despite the many who would rather ignore it than recognize, and therefore challenge, it), and this hashtag is reminding us of just how REAL biphobia is both among straight people and within the LGBTQ community. Started by Biscuit Magazine, #BiActivistsAreSickOfHearing is a must-read for everyone, bi or otherwise.
Here are some of the most powerful tweets.
Bisexual folks are *constantly* excluded.
#biactivistsaresickofhearing "oh so you're gay now?" "Oh you're on our side now?" "You can't campaign with us when you're on the fence"
— I'm tired tho (@more7uppls)August 23, 2016
\u201c#biactivistsaresickofhearing "but you can pass anywhere, why do you need your own space?" when in fact we just get excluded from everywhere.\u201d— Katy Harrad (@Katy Harrad) 1471884176
Both from statistics and dialogue about violence.
None— authentic paint (@authentic paint) 1471924221
Their families are judged more harshly.
\u201c#biactivistsaresickofhearing the term "breeder" to describe me, my marriage, my relationships and the existence of my children\u201d— Janet \ud83d\udc96 Queen of Radiant Resilience \ud83d\udc51 (@Janet \ud83d\udc96 Queen of Radiant Resilience \ud83d\udc51) 1471919219
They’re told they have “straight privilege,” despite not being straight.
And their relationships are judged on sight.
\u201c#biactivistsaresickofhearing *at an LGBTQ event* "you're such a great straight ally for being here". ...but I'm bi. "But you're with a guy"\u201d— Janet \ud83d\udc96 Queen of Radiant Resilience \ud83d\udc51 (@Janet \ud83d\udc96 Queen of Radiant Resilience \ud83d\udc51) 1471909636
\u201c#biactivistsaresickofhearing that their problems magically disappear because they're in a het-appearing relationship\u201d— Brenda Howard Fan Account (@Brenda Howard Fan Account) 1471892962
Bi folks are also often told that we don’t date non-binary or trans people, which, for many, just isn’t accurate.
\u201c#BiActivistsAreSickOfHearing\n"Bi means two."\n"Bi is binary."\n"You can't be into trans/nb people."\n"Trans/nb people can't be bi."\n\ud83d\ude11\u201d— Steph (@Steph) 1471911888
And the idea prevails that only cis people can be bi, which is just, like, false.
Bi voices are rarely heard, or empowered.
While gay men remain the focus of activism.
\u201c#biactivistsaresickofhearing We can't campaign about that, it doesn't also affect gay men.\u201d— The Bisexual Index (@The Bisexual Index) 1471881288
What are YOU sick of hearing as a bi person? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section and on Twitter.
Rachel Charlene Lewis is a writer, editor, and queer woman of color based in North Carolina. Her writing has most recently appeared in Ravishly, Hello Giggles, and elsewhere.
Rachel Charlene Lewis is a writer, editor, and queer woman of color based in North Carolina. Her writing has most recently appeared in Ravishly, Hello Giggles, and elsewhere.
