Bisexual Health Awareness
- moranbahrainbowcol
- Mar 15, 2022
- 3 min read
March is Bisexual Health Awareness Month. We were fortunate enough to have a local with plenty of knowledge answer our questions.
Q: What does bisexuality mean to you?
A: I’ve always felt that my journey with bisexuality has helped me feel more secure in myself personally. There has and will always be multiple external sources in my life implying that you have to act, look, and love in certain ways to be conventionally “approved” in different aspects of today’s society. My journey of self-love and self-confidence has helped me re-affirm within myself that my actions, choices, and beliefs are based on the true north of my internal compass rather than a reflection of society's expectations. While I haven’t “chosen” to be bisexual, some understandings about who I am sexually have helped me identify more with different aspects of myself.
Q: What is a common misconception that you have experienced as a bisexual person?
A: I feel like there is still a stigma around being bisexual and the misconception that we are confused whether we identify as homo or hetero-sexual, or we are just “trying it out”. Because I am in most regards cis-het passing, people frequently assume I’m not a part of the rainbow community and so I feel like my voice is less valid in these discussions.
Q: Could you tell us about your experiences as a bisexual person within the rainbow community?
A: Unfortunately I have found in my own experiences that there still remains a stigma even within the rainbow community. While I have previously had a long term relationship with a women, I’m currently (and fingers crossed will be for a while) in a relationship with a cisgender man. I’ve been told that this doesn’t make me a bisexual “anymore” and that I did just have a “lesbian phase” when I was young.
I find myself having to mention/explain my past relationships in detail, almost like a resume to enter into a club otherwise I’m assumed to be a straight women after the spotlight.
Q: What tips do you have for maintaining health and well-being for Bisexual Health Awareness?
A: I have two main “tips” that I’ve perceived to have helped me navigate within both of these circles.
1. You don’t owe anyone a reason.
A reason why you aren’t what they think you are, or a reason why you are the way you are. Homosexual men and women don’t have to explain why they only sexually relate to the same gender as them, and neither do cisgender heterosexuals, so why do we find ourselves explaining who we are whenever asked?
2. You don’t have to label yourself as anything.
If you, like myself, find that every time you do label yourself for the benefit of others and they question you on that label, let them think whatever they like.
Flour in a sugar jar is still flour.
Fortunately for our community both men and women who do wish to engage with us in a sexual manner will likely start that conversation themselves, or we are able to start it on our terms as well. We are all valid, we are all worth it, and we are all normal.
Your friendly neighbourhood spiderwoman
Our sincere thanks to our friend for contributing to our article.
You can find our more about BHAW by visiting the Bisexual Resource Center
Thank you for joining us for another issue of the Rainbow Connection. Our articles are published through the 4RFM community magazine and are available via physical print and digital download.
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