Why Is Bisexuality As A Sexual Orientation So Often Ignored And Dismissed?
If you’re a bisexual who has felt that they’ve had to hide their true sexual identity and instead come out as gay or lesbian then Marcus Morgan’s commentary in the Guardian today is likely to strike a chord with you.
Discussing how society appears to have a need to put people in one box (gay) or another (straight), Morgan acts to question the “straight, gay or lying” perception highlighting that whilst many may want life to be that easy to divide up, the reality is far different with a recent Observer poll on sexual attitudes showing 4% of people – one in 25 – identified as homosexual, and half as many again identified separately as bisexual.
Going on to discuss how the gay, lesbian and straight population have tended to pull apart the definition of bisexuality so they can construct it to mean what they want, which is in most cases something that is a phase rather than a sexual orientation of it’s own, Morgan highlights there is one group very sure of how bisexuality is – bisexuals.
Being full aware that this is no phase, and that being bisexual doesn’t mean that deep down you do actually have a preference one way, the level of negative perception of their sexual orientation within what is meant to be an inclusive society, as Morgan indicates, leaves many not wanting to say what they truly are and instead coming out as gay or lesbian in order to a better reception. And it’s a sad truth but is in most cases they will, but it’s one that acts to repress who they truly are, with Morgan describing
the feeling of being a bisexual in the closet in the following way:
“…for a bi on the gay scene, the closet has two doors, a bit like an airlock – behind one of them is a cosy atmosphere with no pressure, and behind the other is what appears to be a vacuum.”
It all makes rather an enlightening but rather depressing read when you read the way one section of our community is treated for being nothing more than who they are. There is some good news though, with Morgan highlighting the change that is occurring via a growing bi scene in the UK. Including regional one-day BiFests and the upcoming national three-day convention BiCon, both a sense of belonging and a growing support network is beginning to appear, and no longer is the “B” just a letter added on to Pride festivals to make it look inclusive with Brighton Pride, for example, is working hard to make their Pride a more diverse and accepting festival.
A definite read for any member of the LGBT community. If you’re a bisexual you’re going to read it and want to give Marcus a huge hug for saying what you’ve been thinking for years. If you identify as lesbian or gay, this is a commentary that’s going to make you think, and potentially look at the way you’ve perceivev bisexuality in a completely different light.
You can read Marcus Morgan’s Bisexuals: putting the B back in LGBT on the Guardian website.
