The Bisexual Community: Why It Needs Acceptance

In recent years, the bisexual community has become more visible. Ellen Page came out as bisexual in 2014, Raven-Symoné came out as “fluid” in 2016, and Amandla Stenberg came out as gay in 2018. Some of the more recent celebrities who have come out as bisexual include singer Halsey, actor Anna Paquin, and model Cara Delevingne. However, despite this increased visibility, bisexuality is still often seen as a phase or a stepping stone to coming out as gay or lesbian. This needs to change.

Bisexuality is unique sexuality that should be respected and accepted. People who identify as bisexual are attracted to more than one gender. That’s it. They are not confused, they are not attention-seeking, and they are not indecisive. They are bisexual.

Even though Bi+ people make up 52% of the queer community, they are often invisible both within the queer community and the straight community. They are told that they don’t belong in either group and that they are just “try-sexuals” who haven’t yet made up our minds about our sexuality. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

This invisibility had real consequences; research has shown that bisexuals are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than either gays or straights. They are also more likely to self-harm and attempt suicide. In short, the lack of acceptance and visibility for bisexuals takes a serious toll on their mental health.

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The Power of Visibility and Acceptance

Fortunately, things are slowly starting to change. In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards visibility and acceptance for the Bi+ community. More celebrities and everyday people are coming out as Bi+, helping to normalize this often-misunderstood orientation.

As a result of this increased visibility, Bi+ people are beginning to feel more accepted both within the LGBTQ+ community and society at large. This is leading to better mental health outcomes for bisexuals; they are reporting less anxiety and depression, and fewer thoughts of suicide. In short, acceptance does save lives.

It's clear that visibility and acceptance matter for the bisexual community. When we accept people for who they are, we allow them to be their authentic selves—and that benefits everyone involved. Let's all do our part to create a more inclusive world for everyone.

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