I’m bisexual, so I’ve been told many times that bisexuality doesn’t exist (or doesn’t exist in men) and that I am actually either gay or straight—it’s never caused an identity crisis in me, but it is somewhat common for bisexual people to have identity crises over these sorts of messages. But the difference is that regardless of anyone’s personal opinions on bisexuality, or self-identification, there is objective criteria for bisexuality and ways to objectively measure bisexuality.

You telling me I’m wrong about my identity doesn’t put me in a crisis. I know who I am whether you like it or not. Yes it’s insulting and it hurts to be called something you consider so vile but there’s no crisis. What it does represent though is the attitude that would deny us the ability to live a tolerable life. That’s the attitude that would deny us access to transition, to ensure that society treats us like monsters, and to ensure that we can never really be at peace in the world. I know who I am but being told I’m not is both an insult and a threat.