ElectricSheep

I'm a bi guy, and I either don't notice or don't care about so called "microaggressions." I can't compare sexual health concerns, but I'd say I'm fairly conscious of it (read: no hookups, very infrequent dating, etc. Last test was negative for everything, no one new since.)

The biggest thing that I think is unique to being bisexual opposed to homo / hetero is that you get the typical treatment but from both directions. As far as I know I'm read as a normal dude (I don't talk about it), but I am honest with potential interests, and unsurprisingly women are not that into it. I'm lucky in the sense that most guys haven't cared, but I also know that most or all of them weren't interested in a relationship, which personally, is the only situation I'd want to have sex. Of the two long-term (year+) sexual relationships I've had, both have been women, and neither one ever really let it go, so to speak. It was always a "thing."

As for the article, here's where I stand and what I think:

• Higher rates of anxiety, less life satisfaction: I don't think I have irregular anxiety issues, but life satisfaction has been low since 15.

• Least likely to be out, less likely to participate in pride: True. I'm not "in" but I don't advertise. No interest in pride (for so many reasons).

• Male bisexuals frequently report experiencing greater stigma: I'd say it's true, but I would also say that female bisexuality is not taken seriously, for reasons both legitimate and not.

• 58% reported high to very high levels of psychological distress, with histories of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, and 67% reported diagnoses: Unfortunately, this is not a surprise to me, and also true in my case.

• Almost half disclosed self-harm or thoughts of suicide within the past 2 years, and 28% had attempted, while 78% considered it: Again, unfortunately, not surprising, and true in my case.

• Dissatisfaction with their own sexuality, either from themselves or a partner, and more often disclosed mental health difficulties: doesn't take a genius to figure this one out. My guess is that this is very prevalent, as it was in my experience.

• Results did not find that having LGBTQ peers and friends lowered levels of unhappiness: Expected. Then again, considering the sub, it should be no surprise why.

I'm glad that the article pointed out correlation =/= causation. I'd also add that I have a religious upbringing that just muddies the whole experience. Something else to note is that I, along with a lot of others, often have a constant question mark in the back of my head, because I am not always attracted to both sexes. Some days I'm just way gayer than others, and vice versa. Sometimes these shifts last weeks or more. It's a pain in the ass, especially while in a relationship. I imagine this is where a lot of the dissatisfaction, thoughts of suicide, and (unreported in this article) high pervasiveness of drug abuse comes from. It probably drives some unhealthy sexual behavior as well. If you feel that you have to "prove" something to yourself or others, then you don't always make choices for the correct reasons.

We are the red-headed stepchild of the gay community, and we know it.