Biphobia Explained: What It Is and How It Affects Mental Health [Video]

Biphobia refers to the prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination directed toward bisexual people. Bi erasure involves denying or overlooking bisexuality as a legitimate sexual orientation. Many people continue to stereotype bisexual individuals as “confused,” “greedy,” or simply going through a phase, despite bisexual people making up the largest segment of the LGBTQ+ community. These attitudes can come from both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities and often contribute to the invisibility of bisexual identities. The video blog explores how biphobia can appear externally through jokes, stereotypes, and invalidating comments, as well as internally when bisexual individuals begin to question or doubt their own experiences and identities.

Learn more about bisexuality here.

The video also highlights the significant impact biphobia and bi erasure can have on mental health. Research has found that bisexual individuals experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidality, and social isolation. To combat these effects, bisexual individuals can affirm the validity of their identities. You should seek supportive relationships and consider working with LGBTQ+ affirming therapists who understand the bisexual experience. For allies, it’s important to recognize bisexuality as valid, challenge biphobic microaggressions and listen with empathy. We can support bisexual people by representing and including them in queer spaces without erasing or fetishizing their identities.