DiscussionBi men in gay spaces – examples of constant homophobia, misinformation and undermining our definitions

submitted by lazy-summer-godSuper Gay from (self.LGBDropTheT)

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[–]reluctant_commenter 8 insightful - 3 fun8 insightful - 2 fun9 insightful - 3 fun -  (2 children)

Bisexuals need to understand that they are not a systemically marginalized group.

I don't think that's accurate. They are marginalized for their same-sex attraction, and also for their higher rates of gender non-conformity, which in turn put them at risk for being transed, especially among children. You could argue that they are less marginalized than LG (I'm not sure I believe that, but you could argue), but there's a lot of evidence to suggest that they are indeed systemically marginalized.

A country that bans "homosexual behavior" doesn't care if you're gay or bisexual, you suffer the consequences either way.

[–]Daddiescummies 10 insightful - 2 fun10 insightful - 1 fun11 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

They are marginalized for their same-sex attraction

They are marginalized for appearing homosexual, not for their bisexuality.

and also for their higher rates of gender non-conformity

Which is a choice they make, not an inherent aspect of identity.

You could argue that they are less marginalized than LG

Because they are

A country that bans "homosexual behavior" doesn't care if you're gay or bisexual, you suffer the consequences either way.

Unless you're a bisexual who avoids same sex partners. Then there is no consequence.

[–]reluctant_commenter 7 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

They are marginalized for their same-sex attraction

They are marginalized for appearing homosexual, not for their bisexuality.

No, in many cases they are marginalized for their same-sex attraction. Many people discriminate on the basis of same-sex attraction, not just homosexuality. For example, the Catholic Church teaches that "same sex attraction is inherently disordered" and they don't care what someone's actual sexual orientation is, e.g. if someone is homosexual vs. bisexual, because they believe that "same-sex attraction can't be a part of a legitimate sexual orientation."

and also for their higher rates of gender non-conformity

Which is a choice they make, not an inherent aspect of identity.

How people present themselves, is a choice; however, (e.g.) being female and having interests, demeanor, personality traits, habits etc. that society calls "for men" or "for boys" is not a choice, so in that respect being GNC is not a choice. I didn't choose to be this way, I just am and I've been like this my whole damn life.

There are some people who like to present as GNC because they are trying to make a political statement, but for many LGB people, they are just being who they naturally are.

Because they are

You're free to think so, but that's a different question than the topic originally posed.

Unless you're a bisexual who avoids same sex partners. Then there is no consequence.

I'm not bisexual, so I can't speak to the experience of someone who's bisexual and only dates the opposite sex. To at least some extent, however, people don't choose who they fall in love with, and they certainly don't choose who they're attracted to, so a bisexual person could still suffer shame from hearing homophobic, "same sex attraction is disgusting/immoral" messages from society even if they're not actually dating the same sex.