YOUTH 1 SUPPORTING AND CARING FOR OUR BISEXUAL This report is available electronically at: www.hrc.org/bi-youth www.binetusa.org/bi-youth biresource.net/othermaterials.shtml

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2 INTRO DUCTION

In 2012, the Human Rights Campaign conducted a groundbreaking “I’m proud to be survey of more than 10,000 LGBT youth, ages 13 - 17, in the United States. The survey asked participants to talk about the levels of bisexual. And I’m acceptance and support they felt from their families, peers and communities, as well as their participation in both school and proud to say that I’m extracurricular activities. This report focuses on the nearly 40 percent of survey participants who identified as bisexual. It is proud to be bisexual important to note that while this is one of the largest surveys of its kind, the findings are not representative of the entire U.S. LGBT a lot of youth population. The findings do align, however, with many les- people can’t do that.” sons learned by those who work with LGBT youth. The survey responses and lived experiences described by the par- ticipants make it clear that the people and institutions that serve The lesbian, gay, bisexual and (LGBT) community is these youth – including those that are more accepting of lesbian making great strides toward legal and social equality across the and gay youth – are failing to address the needs of bisexual youth. United States. Thanks to the leadership of bisexual advocates, the This report is designed to offer a more thorough understanding bisexual community has become increasingly visible throughout of the issues facing bisexual youth, and suggest ways that their this time of progress. For example, the first White House Bisexual peers and the adults in their lives can better support them and Roundtable, held in 2013, brought together researchers and com- help them thrive. With these goals in mind, the report answers munity leaders to share expertise with the Obama Administration. four main questions: Bisexuality has also been a featured topic in recent major media publications including The New York Times1 and Cosmopolitan 1. Who are bisexual youth in terms of magazine.2 gender, race, school level and where they Those who research gender and sexuality are also addressing the reside (e.g., cities and towns, rural or bisexual population. As a recent study from the Pew Research suburban)? Center shows, bisexuals make up about 40 percent of the adult 2. What are the issues facing bisexual youth, LGBT population, and about 50 percent of the LGB population.3 Another recent study released by the Williams Institute reports and how are those issues different from that “nearly two-thirds of LGB parents are bisexual.”4 And the those facing their peers? Fenway Institute, the leading LGBT health research organiza- tion, has created a bisexual health think-tank to address the 3. How does bisexual identity affect young significant health disparities that bisexual adults face, including people’s well-being, and their relationships increased likelihood of mental health problems, lack of preventa- with family, school, and community? tive care and general poor health.5 4. How can parents, educators, youth- Given these disparities, it follows that bisexual youth would face a serving agencies, and advocacy unique set of challenges that affect their ability to flourish in their organizations better address the unique families, schools and communities. Learning more about these needs of bisexual youth? youth will allow parents, caregivers, social workers, teachers and other youth-serving professionals to more effectively nurture and Above all, this report demonstrates the need for continued dialogue guide them toward successful and happy futures. about bisexuality and the issues and concerns of bisexual youth.

1 WHO ARE BISEXUAL YOUTH?

In simplest terms, a bisexual person is someone who can be attracted to more than one gender; but adults and youth who identify as bisex- ual sometimes describe themselves differently. Many bisexual adults have embraced the definition proposed by longtime bisexual leader, national speaker and award-winning activist : “I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I have in myself the potential to be attracted – romantically and/or sexually – to people of more than one and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.” –Robyn Ochs

2 This report analyzes survey responses from four groups of youth whose identities fall TERMS AND within this definition. DEFINITIONS The terms and definitions below are a few of the most important for understanding this report and 354 broader LGBT issues. 3808 youth who selected youth who identified BISEXUAL TRANSGEN- themselves explicitly as QUEER A person who can DER from the list of sexual be attracted to more BISEXUAL An umbrella term orientations. than one sex, gender in one of two ways: for people whose or . “Bi” a) By selecting “Bisexual” gender identity and/ is often used as an from a list of sexual or expression is abbreviation. orientations provided to them 109 different from cultural youth who chose “I prefer expectations based b) By selecting the “I prefer to identify myself as” on the sex they were to identify myself as” and described their sexual , fear, or assigned at birth. Being option and writing in a orientation with an array of hatred directed toward transgender does not description of their sexual other terms falling into Ochs’ bisexual people. imply any specific orientation that included the definition (e.g., “mostly sexual orientation. words “bisexual” or “bi.” lesbian,” “gay with Therefore, transgender For example, “bisexual, mostly GENDER straight tendencies,” people may identify as like guys,” “bi-romantic,” or “heteroflexible,” IDENTITY straight, gay, lesbian, “extremely bi.” “omnisexual,” “fluid,” One’s innermost bisexual, pansexual, “gender blind,” “open- concept of self as male, queer, etc. minded,” “polysexual,” , a blend of “homoflexible,” both or neither — how PANSEXUAL 671 and “lesbian with individuals perceive youth who selected the “I A person who can exceptions”). These youth themselves and what prefer to identify myself be attracted to any are referred to as they call themselves. as” option and wrote in a sex, gender or gender One’s gender identity description of their . OTHER can be the same or orientation that included BISEXUAL different from their sex PANSEXUAL. throughout the report. assigned at birth. QUEER A term people often SEXUAL use to express We are including the voices of all of these fluid identities and youth who fall into this broader interpreta- ORIENTATION orientations. Describes an individu- tion of bisexuality because, even with the al’s enduring physical, variation in language, youth in all four of emotional, romantic GENDER- these categories share many of the same and/or spiritual attrac- EXPANSIVE experiences, needs and concerns. tion to another person. Conveys a wider, more Gender identity and flexible range of gender sexual orientation are identity and/or expres- For simplicity, we focus throughout the Findings section on the not the same. sion than typically data from the 3808 youth who identified explicitly as bisexual. associated with the Where differences in the experiences of these four groups were binary gender system. found, they are explored. LESBIAN For the purposes of A woman who is this report, the term emotionally, romanti- “gender-expansive” is cally, sexually and SURVEY QUESTION ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION used to identify the relationally attracted youth in the survey Do you identify your sexual orientation as: to women. who identified their Heterosexual/straight gender as transgender Gay GAY or selected the option Lesbian A word describing “I prefer to identify my Bisexual a man or a woman gender as: _____.” Queer who is emotionally, I prefer to identify myself as: (SPECIFY) romantically, sexually Decline to answer and relationally attracted to members of the same sex.

3 DEMO GRAPHICS

A LOOK AT ALL 10,030 LGBT YOUTH SURVEY PARTICIPANTS

SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF LGBT YOUTH PARTICIPANTS PERCENT OF LGBT YOUTH BY RACE WHO IDENTIFIED AS BISEXUAL

OTHER BISEXUAL HETEROSEXUAL (n=109) 1% /STRAIGHT* (n=45) <1% HISPANIC/ BLACK/ LATINO/ OTHER GAY 60% AMERICAN AFRICAN SPAN. (n=448) 4% (n=2680) 27% INDIAN/ AMERICAN AMER./ NATIVE ASIAN/ OTHER (n=637) CHICANO AMERICAN 50% PACIFIC (n=560) QUEER 43% (n=1382) (n=160) WHITE ISLANDER 42% (n=354) 4% 41% 40% LESBIAN (n=6819) (n=329) (n=1915) 19% 40% 36% 35%

PANSEXUAL (n=671) 7% 30%

BISEXUAL 20% (n=3808) 38%

10%

*Gender-expansive youth who identify as heterosexual/straight.

4 A LOOK AT THE BISEXUAL SURVEY PARTICIPANTS

The charts on the next page show gender, race, school level FEMALE MALE and living area breakdowns for each of the four groups of youth discussed in this report. When reviewing the demographics of the youth included in this report, it is important to remember that the findings do not represent LGBT youth nationally since the survey sample was not random. Nonetheless, here are a few highlights: 1 in 2 in the sample 1 in 5 males in the sample identify as bisexual identify as bisexual Half of the LGBT youth in middle TRANSGENDER OTHER GENDER-EXPANSIVE MIDDLE HIGH school in this sample identify SCHOOL SCHOOL as bisexual compared to 36 percent of high school youth

Overall, higher percentages of younger youth identify as bisexual 1 in 4 transgender youth in the 1 in 5 other gender-expansive in this sample while the percent of youth who identify as lesbian/ sample identify as bisexual youth identify as bisexual gay is greater with older youth. The percentage of youth who iden- tify as pansexual (between 6 and 8 percent) or queer (between 2 and 5 percent) are more similar across all age groups. See the appendix for more detailed breakdown of demographics.

5 3808 “BISEXUAL” YOUTH 671 “PANSEXUAL” YOUTH

GENDER RACE 7% BLACK/ GENDER RACE AFRICAN 3% BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN AMERICAN 8% HISPANIC/ 6% MALE LATINO/ 15% SPANISH HISPANIC/ AMERICAN/ LATINO/ CHICANO 65% SPANISH 19% MALE 76% AMERICAN/ 17% 6% OTHER WHITE 69% 77% FEMALE CHICANO OTHER FEMALE WHITE 3% ASIAN/ PACIFIC 6% ISLANDER OTHER 2% 3% AMERICAN ASIAN/PACIFIC 3% OTHER 7% INDIAN/NATIVE ISLANDER 2% TRANSGENDER TRANSGENDER AMERICAN 2% AMERICAN INDIAN/NATIVE AMERICAN

LIVING AREA SCHOOL LEVEL* LIVING AREA SCHOOL LEVEL* 18% MIDDLE SCHOOL 15% MIDDLE OR JUNIOR SCHOOL OR HIGH JUNIOR HIGH 30% SCHOOL 27% SCHOOL URBAN URBAN AREAS 49% 75% 3% AREAS 76% 53% 5% SUBURBS HIGH HOME HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOLED SUBURBS SCHOOL HOME SCHOOLED 21% 20% 1% RURAL RURAL 1% UNIVERSITY, AREAS AREAS UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OR COLLEGE OR COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLEGE

354 “QUEER” YOUTH 109 “OTHER” BISEXUAL YOUTH

GENDER RACE 6% BLACK/ GENDER RACE 5% BLACK/ 8% AFRICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN AMERICAN MALE 6% 15% HISPANIC/ HISPANIC/ 18% MALE LATINO/ LATINO/ SPANISH SPANISH AMERICAN/ 12% AMERICAN/ CHICANO OTHER CHICANO 34% 61% 70% 6% OTHER 67% OTHER 47% WHITE 10% WHITE FEMALE FEMALE 5% ASIAN/ OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER 5% ASIAN/ 1% 3% PACIFIC AMERICAN TRANSGENDER ISLANDER 11% INDIAN/ 2% AMERICAN TRANSGENDER NATIVE INDIAN/NATIVE AMERICAN AMERICAN

LIVING AREA SCHOOL LEVEL* LIVING AREA SCHOOL LEVEL*

9% MIDDLE 13% MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOOL OR JUNIOR OR JUNIOR HIGH HIGH SCHOOL 27% SCHOOL 27% 2% URBAN URBAN 78% 58% 83% HOME AREAS 53% 6% AREAS HIGH SUBURBS HIGH SCHOOLED SUBURBS HOME SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOLED 3% 20% 15% UNIVERSITY, RURAL 2% RURAL COLLEGE, OR AREAS UNIVERSITY, AREAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLEGE, OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

*Does not include youth who reported being out of school or checked “other” school level. 6 FINDINGS

The survey findings demonstrate that This lack of support is reflected bisexual youth struggle with many of the in the ways that bisexual youth same issues faced by their lesbian and rated their happiness and their optimism about the future.

gay peers around , bullying and STRAIGHT 21% BISEXUAL 5% harassment, and family and community VERY HAPPY VERY HAPPY acceptance, as well as additional challenges They reported much lower levels unique to their bisexual identities. of happiness, and were less Throughout this section we compare the optimistic about their potential experiences of bisexual youth with their for achieving their ambitions Bisexual youth were much including establishing life-long * straight and lesbian and gay peers. less likely to be out to their romantic relationships, attend- families, friends, peers, and ing college and having success- communities. ful careers. NOT AWARE OF PEOPLE AND NO INSTITUTIONS THAT NOT AWARE SUPPORTIVE While all youth who identify as LGBT have distinct issues and COULD HELP THEM OF SAFE ADULT SPACES concerns, it is clear that bisexual youth have needs that are unique, due to myths, stereotypes, and stigma surrounding bisexuality. FAMILY NO ONE TO Interestingly, many of these findings mirror the challenges facing ACCEPTANCE NOT AWARE OF STATE TURN TO transgender and other gender-expansive youth, which are explored ACCESS GOVERNMENT, FOR HELP TO SOCIAL DOCTORS, in an earlier report on the almost 1000 transgender and other SUPPORT OR LOCAL gender-expansive youth in the survey (www.hrc.org/youth-gender). SYSTEMS BUSINESSES ACCEPTANCE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANXIETY Broadly speaking, bisexual youth reported lower levels than their gay and lesbian peers of family acceptance and knowledge of SUICIDE and access to social support systems. Another noteworthy way POVERTY in which bisexual youth participants differ from their lesbian BISEXUAL ADULTS and gay peers is in their awareness of people and institutions POOR GENERAL HEALTH SEXUAL ASSAULT that could help them through their journey to self-acceptance. Bisexual youth were much less likely to be aware of safe spaces for LGBT youth in their community, or to know a supportive adult DEPRESSION in their family, school, or community whom they could turn to for These findings represent risk factors that put bisexual youth on a support. Bisexual youth were also slightly less likely than gay and trajectory toward the issues that have been found to dispropor- lesbian youth to know whether their state government, doctors, or tionately affect bisexual adults.6 local businesses were accepting of LGBT people. In short, bisexual youth often struggle with their sexual orientation and frequently feel like they have no one to turn to for help. This report, then, is a call to action for us all to gain a better understanding of how to * A note on the “straight” peers: This group consists of 472 youth who did not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. However, it is important not to conflate gender support and care for our bisexual youth and identity and sexual orientation. There may be youth in this group who have transgender help them become happier, healthier and experiences but are no longer identifying as transgender. And youth who identified as transgender and straight were not included in this straight group. more successful adults.

7 PERSONAL WELL-BEING

HAPPINESS CARING ADULTS HAVE AN ADULT TO TALK TO 44% BISEXUAL

5% 5% 4% 8% 21% 54% BISEXUAL PANSEXUAL QUEER LESBIAN STRAIGHT LESBIAN/GAY & OTHER & GAY BISEXUAL

Across the board, LGBT youth report troublingly low levels of happiness. Only 5 percent of bisexual youth Only 44 percent of bisexual youth responded that there was an reported being “very happy.” Five percent of the pansexual adult in their family they could turn to if they were sad compared and the “other” bisexual youth also said they were “very happy” to slightly more than half (54 percent) of lesbian and gay youth. and only 4 percent of queer-identified youth said the same. This Only 56 percent of bisexual youth knew such a trusted adult is compared to 8 percent of lesbian and gay youth surveyed outside of their families, much less than the 65 percent of les- who characterized themselves as “very happy.” More than four bian and gay youth who reported knowing a caring adult outside times as many straight youth than bisexual youth (21 percent) their families. reported they were “very happy.”

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SENSE OF BELONGING

Fifty-six percent of bisexual youth “strongly” or “somewhat” agreed that they have experi- mented with alcohol and drugs, a rate slightly Only 1 in 10 bisexual youth (10 percent) reported feeling like higher than lesbian and they “definitely fit in” in their community. For the pansexual youth gay youth (50 percent) this figure was just4 percent. Queer youth reported the highest and more than twice percentage who believed that their community is getting “much” or as high as straight “somewhat” better (61 percent), while only 44 percent of bisex- youth (22 percent). 2X ual youth and 53 percent of lesbian/gay youth reported the same. 8 LIKELIHOOD “I can’t wait to “I’m just hoping OF ACHIEVEMENTS move somewhere that I can get where there is a through the year 58 percent of the bisexual youth “strongly” or “somewhat” more accepting and have better agreed that they would need community.” luck in college.” to move to another city or town or another part of the country to really feel accepted. And when asked about the likeli- hood of achieving their ambi- BISEXUAL YOUTH REPORTING AMBITION AS tions, bisexual youth (like their “VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN” lesbian and gay peers) believed they were less likely to do so if Future Ambition Future Ambition If Stay In Same City they remain in their current city. GO TO COLLEGE 70% 47%

However, in almost every case, HAVE A GOOD JOB bisexual youth are slightly more optimistic than their 55% 28% lesbian and gay peers when ESTABLISH A LIFELONG PARTNERSHIP WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE it comes to the prospect of BISEXUAL LESBIAN QUEER 55% 30% & GAY achieving their dreams if they remain in their current city. BE HAPPY

The exception to this trend is queer-identified youth, who showed 51% 24% the least optimism about their future ambitions compared to the GET MARRIED TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE other groups considered for this report. For example, queer youth expected to “be happy” in the future if they stayed in their current 53% 28% city at a rate half that of their lesbian, gay and bisexual peers (12 BE AN ACTIVE PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY percent for queer youth vs. 24 percent for LGB youth). Queer youth also expressed much less optimism than the other groups 30% 19% when asked about getting married and raising children. RAISE CHILDREN See the Appendix for more information on the youths’ perceptions of the likelihood of their future ambitions. 45% 31%

9 COMING OUT

Across the board, a OUT TO OUT TO OUT AT smaller percentage IMMEDIATE EXTENDED SCHOOL of bisexual youth FAMILY FAMILY reported being out than their lesbian 1 2 372% and gay peers. This 68% difference is most 57% 57% 57% 54% 56% striking when it 53% 51% comes to being out 44% to family, classmates, teachers and at 32% school generally. 20% 15% 16% 16% QUEER QUEER QUEER BISEXUAL BISEXUAL BISEXUAL PANSEXUAL PANSEXUAL PANSEXUAL OTHER BISEXUAL OTHER BISEXUAL OTHER BISEXUAL LESBIAN AND GAY LESBIAN AND GAY LESBIAN AND GAY

10 The survey revealed a great deal about the struggles bisexual youth face while coming out. Much of this information came from open-ended responses that gave the youth a chance to describe their experiences. Bisexual youth described many similar concerns as lesbian and gay youth, such as family acceptance and judgment from their peers. The nature of these concerns, however, showed ways in which bisexual youth face challenges unique to their bisexual identities due to the pervasiveness of biphobia and myths and stereotypes that trivialize or undermine the legitimacy of bisexual identity. They are told that: • their sexuality doesn’t exist or is not real • being bisexual is “just a phase” • they are confused, indecisive, or seeking attention • they are highly sexually active or attracted to everyone

In addition to these myths, some members of the bisexual One teen wrote: community face other con- “People have a cerns that complicate their hard time seeing coming out process. Several of the respondents identified as the difference both bisexual and transgender. between gender This created a situation where identity and they had multiple closets to sexual orientation come out of, and intertwined and don’t see issues of sexual orientation and gender identity to address. how I could be The tendency among many to both trans and conflate these two aspects of bisexual.” identity makes the coming out OUT TO OUT TO process even more difficult. CLASSMATES TEACHERS

Another teen explained: 474% 5 "I don’t think people would understand me if I said I’m a bisexual male trapped 60% in a female body… people will won- 57% 57% 57% 51% der why I can’t just be happy being a bisexual female because that means I 40% 35% like both anyways. But what they don’t 30% 26% understand is that I FEEL MALE."

Unfortunately the pervasiveness of myths and stereotypes about bisexuality is not limited to people outside the LGBT

QUEER QUEER community. Biphobia exists within the LGBT BISEXUAL BISEXUAL

PANSEXUAL PANSEXUAL community and bisexual youth are aware of their marginalization. OTHER BISEXUAL OTHER BISEXUAL LESBIAN AND GAY LESBIAN AND GAY

11 “I WISH THAT MORE PEOPLE INSIDE THE GAY COMMUNITY ITSELF WOULD SUPPORT MY DECISION TO CALL MYSELF BISEXUAL. I AM NOT BEING SELFISH. I AM NOT A LIAR. I AM NOT GAY. I AM NOT STRAIGHT. I AM BISEXUAL.” “I CAME OUT TO MY FAMILY AND THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE ME.”

“I WOULD LIKE THE PRESSURE TO

‘PICK A SIDE’ “THE ONE TIME I BROUGHT “BEING GAY IS UNDERSTOOD THE ISSUE UP WITH MY IN MY FAMILY, MOM, SHE SAID THAT I BUT BEING BISEXUAL IS WOULD GROW OUT OF IT, NOT.” AND THEN IGNORED IT.” “MY PARENTS AREN’T “I FEEL LIKE IF I WERE HOMOPHOBIC, BUT, WHEN TO COME OUT AS IT COMES TO ME, THEY BISEXUAL, PEOPLE AREN’T ACCEPTING AT ALL. WOULD JUST THINK THEY SAY I CAN’T BE BI. I’M A SLUT.” I HAVE TO BE GAY OR STRAIGHT.”

12 “WHEN I TELL MALES ABOUT MY SEXUALITY, I GET MANY REMARKS LIKE ‘THAT’S SO HOT’, WHICH I FEEL FETISHIZES MY SEXUAL ORIENTATION.” “I’M TIRED OF BEING TOLD IT’S A PHASE.”

“I’VE HAD PEOPLE TELL ME THAT MY LIFE IS WORTHLESS BECAUSE I’M BISEXUAL, AND THAT ‘PICK A SIDE’ I’M NOTHING.” TO STOP. IT’S VERY FRUSTRATING.”

“I TRIED COMING OUT TO MY MOTHER, BUT SHE “AS A BISEXUAL, I ADAMANTLY CLAIMED FEEL SHUNNED THAT YOU COULD ONLY BE GAY OR STRAIGHT AND BY THE GAY THAT THERE WAS NO AND LESBIAN IN-BETWEEN.” COMMUNITY.” "MY MOTHER SAID: ‘YOU’RE SAYING YOU’RE BISEXUAL, WHAT IS THAT?! BISEXUALITY ISN’T REAL.’” “THEY JUST THINK I’M CONFUSED.”

13 HOME & FAMILY AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 7% PHYSICAL A much smaller percent of ACCEPTANCE bisexual youth reported being physicaly assaulted frequently “I’m afraid they Youth were asked to rate their or often at school (7 percent) will no longer love level of acceptance within The activities with the highest and outside of school (5 percent). their community, family, peer participation rates for all survey me the minute I group and schools. In several respondents were the after- While the rates of harassment tell them.” areas, bisexual youth reported school activities such as drama, that bisexual youth reported slightly less acceptance than debate, band or academic clubs. both in school and outside of their lesbian and gay peers. The same is true for bisexual, school were comparable to FAMILY ACCEPTANCE OF The most pronounced differ- pansexual, queer and the “other” those reported by lesbian and BISEXUAL YOUTH ence was in the level of accep- bisexual-identified youth. More gay youth, the open-ended tance among their families. than one third of these youth responses revealed that bisex- NOT APPLICABLE reported participating in these ual teen girls reported NOT Slightly more than a quarter activities “very often.” being subjected to sexual AT ALL VERY ACCEPTING ACCEPTING (27 percent) of bisexual harassment related to their 7% youth reported that their EXCLUSION bisexual identities. 27% families were “very accepting” AND HARASSMENT 17% compared to 33 percent of “I have guys ask me lesbian and gay youth. Queer if they can watch youth, however, had the high- 20% est rates of family acceptance me with a girl. I 29% with 36 percent saying that get inappropriately their families were “very NOT VERY SOMEWHAT Nearly 1 in 4 bisexual youth touched.” ACCEPTING ACCEPTING accepting.” (24 percent) reported fre- quently or often being excluded “People call me by their peers because they a whore because “Though my parents are accepting are different. Thirty-two I’m bi.” towards gays and , my mom percent of the pansexual told me she thought bisexual people youth reported the same – in should just make up their minds. That fact, pansexual youth reported slightly higher levels of exclu- made me unsure of whether or not I sion and harassment in several could tell them.” areas including exclusion by 76% peers and being called names A Williams Institute study involving anti-gay slurs. shows that most people who identify as bisexual are women;7 SCHOOL similarly, 76 percent of the bisexual youth in this survey are female, and many of them are AND PEERS 29% being sexually harassed. VERBAL ACCEPTANCE “When I make Twenty-nine percent of “I’ve been pushed bisexual youth reported being new friends, I let frequently or often verbally in the hall, called them know that harassed and called names ‘dirty homo’ and I’m bisexual. If at school. ‘,’ been told they accept me, that I’m going to then good. If they 1 in 5 bisexual youth (22%) Twenty-eight percent hell, that I should reported that their school was reported frequent verbal don’t, there’s “very accepting” and 29% said harassment involving anti-gay be ashamed of the door.” the same about their peers. slurs such as “fag.” who I am.”

14 ACCESS TO AND KNOWLEDGE LIFE ONLINE OF RESOURCES

their lesbian and gay peers (26 NOT AWARE percent). Queer youth report OF PEOPLE AND 22% the highest percentage of INSTITUTIONS THAT COULD HELP participation in an online LGBT THEM community (36 percent).

Twenty-two percent of More than half (51 percent) NOT AWARE OF SAFE bisexual youth report partici- of bisexual youth “strongly SPACES pating in an online LGBT agreed” that they were more community “very often.” This honest about who they are is a rate slightly lower than online than in the real world. Bisexual youth were less likely than their gay and lesbian peers to know IN THE whether there was a Gay-Straight Alliance at their school or an LGBT COMMUNITY community center in their area. ACCEPTANCE ACCEPTANCE OF YOUTH’S CHURCH/PLACE They were also less likely to OF WORSHIP know about community lead- ers and institutions that could VERY UNACCEPTING serve as sources of support 38% 16% and affirmation and whether 9% SOMEWHAT ACCEPTING they were protected from VERY by state or local ACCEPTING 7% 24% laws or ordinances. Finally, VERY NOT AT ALL they were slightly less likely ACCEPTING ACCEPTING to know whether their state or When asked about the level Churches and places of worship local government, their doc- of acceptance of LGBT people received the lowest percent- tor, or local businesses were within their community, only age of bisexual youth that accepting of LGBT people. 9 percent of bisexual youth reported them “very accepting” rated their community “very (2 percent). A slightly higher Compared to their LGBT accepting.” A larger percentage percentage of bisexual youth peers, queer youth reported greater access of bisexual youth (38 percent) rated their own church/place of felt that their communities worship as “very accepting” to community resources. were “somewhat accepting” of (7 percent). LGBT people. More queer youth For example, more queer youth report their community to be Thirty-five percent of were aware of a place in their “very accepting” (14 percent). bisexual youth rated churches community that helps LGBT and places of worship as “not youth: (41 percent) versus Sixteen percent of bisexual at all accepting.” Twenty- bisexual youth (18 percent) or 22 percent youth said their community is four percent rated their own lesbian/gay youth ( ). “very unaccepting.” church/place of worship as A greater percentage of queer “not at all accepting.” youth also reported having a club at their school that sup- A greater percentage of queer youth reported knowing a specific ports LGBT youth (63 percent) church or synagogue that provides a welcoming environment (32 compared to bisexual youth percent) than bisexual youth (15 percent) or lesbian/gay youth (45 percent) or lesbian/gay (19 percent). youth (48 percent).

15 PARTICIPATION Bisexual Youth Participation Rates for 9 Activities Youth were asked to rate their participation level in nine VERY OFTEN NEVER activities.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Similar to lesbian (E.G., DRAMA, DEBATE, BAND and gay youth, OR ACADEMIC CLUBS) more than half of the bisexual youth 37% 25% reported never ONLINE LGBT COMMUNITY participating in the majority of extra- 22% 34% curricular activities LGBT ORGS AT SCHOOL listed in the survey (E.G., GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCES) including commu- nity sports leagues, 50% church youth 20%

groups, or service SPORTS FOR SCHOOL OR organizations. COMMUNITY LEAGUE/CLUB

The only activities for which 54%

bisexual youth reported 16% relatively high levels of par- ticipation were afterschool CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS SERVICES activities (e.g., band, debate,

or academic clubs), LGBT 52% organizations at school, 14% and in online communities geared toward LGBT youth. If it WORK AT A PAYING JOB weren’t for these three types of

activities, bisexual youth would 55% largely miss out on key social 13% activities for their development and growth. However, even CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS these activities fail to engage a YOUTH GROUP majority of bisexual youth. For

example, afterschool activi- 61% ties had the largest number of 11% bisexual youth reporting that they participated “very often.” SERVICE ORGS (E.G., BOY SCOUTS, Yet a quarter of bisexual youth GIRL SCOUTS, YMCA OR KEY CLUB) (25 percent) said they “never” participate in these activities. 64% 8% Interestingly, pansexual and queer youth report the highest LGBT ORGS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL participation rates of all LGBT (E.G., LGBT YOUTH CENTER) youth in afterschool activities, LGBT organizations at school and online communities. 68% 7%

16 BECOMING AN ALLY

peers or extended families. ers and administrators talk So how can we do a Talk to your children to students about bullying about their sexual orienta- and harassment, they should better job of reaching tion and let them know be sure to be as inclusive of that not only will you bisexual youth as possible by these youth, support- support them if they are modeling inclusive language. gay or lesbian, but also if ing their identities, they are bisexual, queer, FOR LGBT pansexual or questioning. and meeting their Insist that the people surround- ADVOCATES ing your child are respectful. Those who already work or unique needs? Don’t allow others who are volunteer in capacities that uncomfortable with your child’s support LGBT youth or adults For anyone who interacts EDUCATE sexual orientation to put them must strive to be as inclusive with youth, the first step is to down. Set clear expectations as possible by using terms acknowledge and talk about YOURSELF with others about how you like “LGBT” when refer- bisexuality, particularly when The first step for anyone want your child to be treated ring to the community, you’re talking about topics like wanting to be a better ally for and referred to. rather than talking about dating, relationships or sex. It’s bisexual youth is to educate “gay” rights. also important to use the lan- yourself about bisexuality and If your child comes out to you guage used by youth. Go beyond the bisexual community. Learn as bisexual, read all that you When organizing events, be talking about gay and lesbian about the kinds of issues can about bisexuality, and talk intentional about including relationships and use terms like listed in this report, and seek to other parents of bisexual and identifying openly bisexual bisexual, queer, questioning, out the additional resources children. If needed, you can participants and leaders, and and pansexual. Let youth talk to listed in this guide. Be aware seek advice from support include content specifically you and tell you the terms they of the that you groups, advocacy orga- related to bisexuality to give use. Also be inclusive of terms might hold about bisexuality, nizations, conferences, the bisexual community a related to gender identity, such and work toward changing or online forums where you voice. It is especially impor- as transgender, genderfluid and your assumptions. can talk to people who might tant to show bisexual youth genderqueer. By hearing this have had similar questions and examples of successful people language used, bisexual and FOR PARENTS experiences with their own who identify like they do. other youth can hear that their children. identities are legitimate and AND CAREGIVERS Most importantly, we can respected. As your child comes to under- FOR EDUCATORS hold ourselves and other stand their sexual orientation, members of the com- Another way that everyone can you may develop concerns Since bisexual youth were munity accountable for be an ally to bisexual youth is about their safety, or whether much less likely than lesbian biphobia, for addressing by calling attention to myths they will be accepted by their and gay youth to be out in the disparate needs of and stereotypes about bisexual school, and to their class- the bisexual community youth and adults. Be mindful of mates and teachers, educators and for making sure that the many pervasive myths and “My family is very can play an important role in bisexual youth and adults stereotypes addressed in this accepting. They improving the well-being of never feel marginalized, report and dispel them when- love me for who I bisexual youth. When teach- dismissed or stereotyped. ever you hear them. Correct your am and for what I friends, family and coworkers when they perpetuate those am. They told me it “I feel I am treated differently in my stereotypes in conversation. Let didn’t matter who school because I’m female and bisexual… people know that it is not okay I loved as long as The teachers sometimes even preach to make generalizations about I’m happy.” hate against those that are not straight.” anyone’s sexual orientation.

17 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES*

Bisexuals in Metro Phoenix NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS http://bimetrophx.wix.com/ bimetrophx BiNet USA http://www.binetusa.org/ Bisexuals United (Corpus Christi, TX) Bisexual Organizing Project http://www.meetup.com/ http://www.bisexualorganizing- bisexuals-united project.org/ BiUnity (Philadelphia) Bisexual Resource Center http://www.biunity.org/ http://www.biresource.net/ Biversity Boston LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS http://biversity.org/Biversity_Bos- ton/Biversity.html AMBI Los Angeles http://www.meetup.com/ambiLA/ Los Angeles Bi Task Force http://www.labicenter.org/ Bay Area Bisexual Network (San Francisco) New York Area Bisexual http://www.bayareabisexualnet- Network work.org/ http://www.nyabn.org/

BiNet Seattle Richmond (VA) Bisexual http://www.binetseattle.org/ Network http://bisexuality.wikia.com/wiki/ Bisexual Queer Alliance Richmond_Bisexual_Network_ Chicago (ROBIN) https://www.facebook.com/ *This resource page was developed with BQAChicago assistance from the Bisexual Resource Center.

18 APPENDIX

These tables provide GENDER OF LGBT YOUTH PARTICIPANTS BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION a more in-depth look at the demographics Sexual Orientation Female Male Transgender Other Gender (n=5699) (n=3406) (n=319) Expansive of the 10,030 LGBT (n=606) youth survey partici- pants, in addition to Bisexual 51% 21% 25% 21% a closer look at the Pansexual 8% 1% 14% 19% responses around Queer 3% <1% 12% 20% the likelihood of their Other Bisexual 1% <1% 1% 2% future ambitions. Lesbian/Gay 32% 74% 25% 28% Heterosexual/straight** 0% 0% 12% 1% Other 5% 3% 10% 9% Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

** Heterosexual/straight youth identified are transgender or gender-expansive.

SCHOOL LEVEL OF LGBT YOUTH PARTICIPANTS BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Sexual Orientation Middle School High School University, Home or Junior (n = 7988) College or Com- Schooled Highschool munity College (n = 298) (n=1399) (n = 144) Bisexual 50% 36% 36% 37% Lesbian/Gay 34% 48% 42% 39% Pansexual 7% 6% 7% 11% Queer 2% 4% 8% 3% Other Bisexual 1% 1% 1% 2% Heterosexual/straight** <1% <1% 1% 1% Other 6% 4% 5% 7% Total* 100% 100% 100% 100%

* Percents may not total to 100% due to rounding error. ** Heterosexual/straight youth identified are transgender or gender-expansive.

19 AGE OF LGBT YOUTH PARTICIPANTS BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Sexual Orientation 13 Yrs 14 Yrs 15 Yrs 16 Yrs 17 Yrs (n=575) (n = 1408) (n = 2203) (n = 2784) (n = 3060)

Bisexual 51% 46% 41% 37% 31% Pansexual 8% 8% 8% 6% 6% Queer 2% 2% 3% 4% 5% Other Bisexual 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Lesbian/Gay 31% 36% 42% 48% 54% Heterosexual/straight** 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% Other 6% 6% 5% 4% 3% Total* 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

* Percents may not total to 100% due to rounding error. ** Heterosexual/straight youth identified are transgender or gender-expansive.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF YOUTH PARTICIPANTS BY RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

Religious Affiliation Heterosexual Lesbian Bisexual Pansexual Queer Other Other Total /straight /Gay Bisexual

Religiously Affiliated* 36% 39% 40% 26% 26% 34% 25% 38% No preference 11% 10% 9% 9% 10% 10% 10% 10% Atheist/Agnostic 36% 29% 29% 40% 41% 29% 41% 30% Decline to answer 7% 4% 5% 3% 2% 4% 2% 4% Spiritual but not religious 11% 17% 16% 23% 22% 23% 22% 17% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

* Religious affiliation options: Protestant (such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal), Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim/Islam, Mormon, Orthodox Church (Greek, Russian, etc.), Other Christian religion, Other religion (not Christian)

RACE OF LGBT YOUTH PARTICIPANTS BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Sexual Orientation White Black/ Hispanic/ Asian/ American Other Decline Total (n=6819) African Latino/ Pacific Indian/ Race to American Spanish Islander Native (n= 560) Answer (n=637) American/ (n= 329) American (n= 143) Chicano (n=160) (n= 1382)

Heterosexual/straight 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% Lesbian/Gay 47% 43% 49% 46% 41% 38% 36% 46% Bisexual 36% 43% 41% 35% 40% 42% 41% 38% Pansexual 8% 3% 4% 6% 9% 7% 3% 7% Queer 4% 4% 2% 5% 3% 4% 10% 4% Other 4% 6% 3% 5% 6% 6% 6% 4% Other Bisexual 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% Grand Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

20 Two questions compared: 1) Given your hopes and dreams for the future, how likely do you think it is that these will happen? 2) If you live in the same city or town for the rest of your life, how likely do you think it is that these will happen?

PERCENT OF YOUTH REPORTING FUTURE AMBITION “VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN” BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Future Ambitions Very Likely To Lesbian Bisexual Pan- Queer Other Hetero- Other Total Happen /Gay sexual Bisexual sexual/ straight

Get married to someone you love 53% 53% 43% 27% 37% 56% 39% 51%

Get married to someone you love 20% 28% 21% 11% 17% 16% 19% 23% in same city

Percent Decrease 62% 47% 51% 59% 54% 71% 51% 55%

Establish a life-long partnership 61% 55% 49% 38% 48% 58% 42% 57% with someone you love Establish a life-long partnership 28% 30% 25% 17% 24% 20% 20% 28% with someone you love in same city

Percent Decrease 54% 45% 49% 55% 50% 66% 52% 51%

Raise children 38% 45% 34% 23% 37% 40% 35% 40%

Raise children in same city 19% 31% 22% 10% 23% 22% 24% 24%

Percent Decrease 50% 31% 35% 57% 38% 45% 31% 40%

Be happy 60% 51% 42% 35% 45% 44% 47% 54%

Be happy in same city 24% 24% 17% 12% 21% 20% 23% 23%

Percent Decrease 60% 53% 60% 66% 53% 55% 51% 57%

Be an active part of your 42% 30% 31% 42% 35% 27% 29% 36% community Be an active part of your 22% 19% 20% 25% 23% 13% 19% 21% community in same city

Percent Decrease 48% 37% 35% 40% 34% 52% 34% 42%

Have a good job 66% 55% 46% 44% 49% 51% 51% 59%

Have a good job in same city 30% 28% 18% 17% 25% 16% 23% 28%

Percent Decrease 55% 49% 61% 61% 49% 69% 55% 53%

Go to college 78% 70% 69% 73% 63% 67% 74% 74%

Go to college in same city 54% 47% 44% 46% 49% 40% 54% 50%

Percent Decrease 31% 33% 36% 37% 22% 40% 27% 32%

21 This study includes a review of frequencies and cross-tabulations of raw data from research conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner. That original data included 10,030 LGBT-identified youth and 472 non- LGBT youth. On the next page is a full description of the original methodology. Most of the LGBT youth were recruited through the public URL described on this page; the 5 percent of respondents to the Harris Poll Online who identified as LGBT were also included in the sample of LGBT youth.

22 METHODOLOGY

During April and May of 2012, tations, targeted postal mail Organizations (CASRO). Accord- THE SURVEY QUESTION the Human Rights Campaign invitations, TV advertisements ing to CASRO guidelines, the ASKED RESPONDENTS: advertised this link through and telephone recruitment of minimum age to consent to Do you identify your sexual social media and through targeted populations. participate in survey research orientation as: direct communication with in the United States is 13. Data •Heterosexual/straight LGBT youth centers across the When respondents are for this survey were collected •Gay country. This method of col- recruited into this panel, it is by Harris Interactive Service •Lesbian lecting interviews is common made very clear that they are Bureau (“HISB”) on behalf of the •Bisexual in exploring hard-to-reach joining a market research panel Human Rights Campaign. HISB •Queer populations, but it does not and that they will be asked was responsible for the data •I prefer to identify represent a truly random opt-in periodically to participate collected and Greenberg Quinlan myself as: (SPECIFY) sample. As a result, traditional in online research. They are Rosner was responsible for the •Decline to answer measures of margin of error do shown the terms and condi- survey design, data weighting, not apply, and the results here tions of panel membership data analysis, and reporting any/ Anne E. Nicoll, Ph.D., Nicoll may not be representative of as well as the privacy policy. all methods that apply. Consulting is responsible for this population as a whole. Panelists must agree to the the data analysis and find- Terms of Use, which state A key issue in interviewing ings presented in this report. that panelists are limited to a ONLINE PANEL children both responsibly and If not otherwise indicated, the single membership and can be This research also includes 510 legally is appropriate parental quotes in this report come from removed if they are found in interviews among respondents consent, which is required youth respondents. Spelling violation of this rule. ages 13-17 drawn from the Har- before conducting research and some punctuation in direct with children under the age of ris Poll OnlineSM (HPOL). These All panelists recruited have quotes from youth respondents 13. For 8-12 year olds, Harris interviews were not screened completed a “confirmed” or have been corrected. Interactive obtains consent for LGBT status and comprise “double” opt-in (COI/ DOI) pro- from parents, who are HPOL the “non-LGBT” population in cess. This process requires that PUBLIC URL panelists themselves, using this study. Note, however, that each registrant confirm his Working with the Human Rights well-defined parental per- 5 percent of these interviews or her desire to join the panel Campaign and Harris Inter- mission policies. Panelists self-identified as LGBT and by clicking on a link within an active Service Bureau, who identified as age 18+ with an were asked questions directed email that is sent to the reg- hosted the Web survey, Green- 8-12 year old child living in the at this population. istrant’s email address upon berg Quinlan Rosner created a household are sent email invi- registering. The content of the link that allowed participants tations with a link to the child Harris Poll OnlineSM (HPOL) email specifies that by click- to take this survey online. survey. The invites specify that is a multimillion-member ing on the link the registrant Participants invited to the the survey is intended for their panel of cooperative online is expressly stating his or her study through this source were child and explain the content respondents. Panelists have desire to take part in the panel. screened for (self-identified) and approximate length of the joined the Harris Poll Online Once they consent to join the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, survey. If the parent agrees to from more than 100 differ- panel, members are invited to transgender, or queer) status. allow their child to participate ent sources. Diverse methods participate in various surveys This method was used to col- in the survey, they are asked to are leveraged to gain panel- through email invitations that lect the overwhelming majority provide the link to their child. ists including: co-registration include a short description of of LGBT interviews in this study. This process is also used to offers on partners’ websites, the research and indicate the It produced a sample of 10,030 supplement the 13-17 year old targeted emails sent by online approximate survey length. participants ages 13-17 who partners to their audiences, panel through targeted panel- self-identified as lesbian, gay, graphical and text banner The research policies for ists age 18-plus with a 13-17 bisexual, transgender, or queer. placement on partners’ web- U.S.-based research comply year old in the household. To Certain questions in the survey sites (including social media, with the legal codes of con- see the survey itself, visit www. were directed only to self- news, search, and community duct developed by the Council hrc.org/youth. ascribed LGBT respondents. portals), trade show presen- of American Survey Research

23 AUTHORS Amy Andre Ellen Kahn Bisexual Health Educator, Director, Children, Youth & Families Consultant, and Author Program Human Rights Campaign Foundation Jay Brown Director, HRC Foundation Anne Nicoll Program Strategy Nicoll Consulting Human Rights Campaign HRC Research/Evaluation Consultant Foundation Formerly on faculty at the School of Social Work, University of Alison Delpercio Washington Associate Director, Children, Youth & Families Program Beth Sherouse Human Rights Campaign Senior Content Manager, Foundation ACLS Fellow Human Rights Campaign Foundation Suggested Citation: Andre, A., Brown, J., Delpercio, A., Kahn, E., Nicoll, A., Sherouse, B. (2014). Supporting and Caring for Our Bisexual Youth. D.C.: The Human Rights Campaign Foundation. WORKS CITED 1 Benoit Denizet-Lewis, “The Scientific Quest to Prove Bisexuality Exists,” New York Times, 20 March 2014. Retrieved from: http:// www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/magazine/the-scientific-quest-to-prove- bisexuality-exists.html?_r=0

2 Bethany Heitman, “Why More Girls Are Kissing Girls,” Cosmopolitan, July 2010, pg. 32.

3 Pew Research Center (2013). A Survey of LGBT Americans: Attitudes, Experiences and Values in Changing Times. Washington, DC. Retrieved from: http://www.pewsocialtrends. org/2013/06/13/a-survey-of--americans/.

4 Goldberg, A.E., Gartrell, N.K., & Gates, G. (2014). Research Report on LGB-Parent Families. Los Angeles, CA: The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law. Retrieved from: http:// williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/lgb-parent-families- july-2014.pdf.

5 Fenway Focus. (2014, July 1). The Fenway Institute Hosts Groundbreaking Meeting on Bisexual Health Research. Retrieved from: http://fenwayfocus.org/2014/07/the-fenway-institute-hosts- groundbreaking-meeting-on-bisexual-health-research/

6 Miller, M., André, A., Ebin, J., and Bessonova, L. (2007). Bisexual health: An introduction and model practices for HIV/STI pre- vention programming. New York: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, the Fenway Institute at Fenway Community Health, and BiNet USA. Retrieved from: http://www.thetaskforce.org/ downloads/reports/reports/bi_health_5_07_b.pdf

7 Gates, G. (2011). How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender? Los Angeles, CA: The Williams Insitute, UCLA School of Law. Retrieved from: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/ uploads/Gates-How-Many-People-LGBT-Apr-2011.pdf.

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