Bisexual Erasure Brochure

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WHAT IS BISEXUALITY? The term bisexual derives from the prefix "bi" to mean two. Historically, this term referred to those who are attracted to two genders, sometimes their own gender and another one. However, there are many bi FIND MORE folks who use this term to BISEXUAL encompass their attraction for RESOURCES AT: many or all genders. It is CCGSD-CCDGS.ORG/CAMPAIGNS ERASURE important to note that along with many other identities, this label is fluid and may mean different things to different people. @ccgsd_ccdgs WHAT IS BISEXUAL WHAT NOT TO SAY TO ERASURE? A BISEXUAL PERSON: Bisexual erasure is the dismissal Subtle Erasure Overt Erasure of a bi person’s experiences with "Who do you see yourself ending up "I wouldn't be able to trust a bisexual their identity because of certain with?" This is one way of implying that person enough to date them." normative expectations around someone has to “end up” gay or straight This statement implies that a bisexual sexuality. Erasure can occur and ignores bisexuality as a valid person is more promiscuous than a identity. It also invalidates the monosexual person, prone to cheating, explicitly our implicitly in our experiences of non-monogamous folks. day-to-day dialogue, or or that there are more people to cheat "Well, really everyone is kind of with, making them untrustworthy, and systemically in our communities. bisexual." Though this is meant to a bad partner. Bisexual erasure is a acknowledge the fluidity of sexuality, it manifestation of biphobia, dismisses the reality of people who "It's just a phase/you're just confused!" identify as bisexual and erases their whereby a bisexual person is This is a common statement for bi experiences. It also invalidates the self- folks to receive, as many perceive the experiencing discrimination or identifications of non-bisexual bi label as a stepping stone to coming people. oppression because of their out as gay, or even that it's another bisexual identity. Bisexual "Being bisexual is so trendy now." way to say that someone's erasure can come from what is Bisexuality is not a fashion statement, it's "experimenting". Bisexuality is not a not a trend; it's an identity. Claiming known as "monosexism", the phase, or a way to say that someone is bisexuality is "trendy" or "popular" erases unsure of their identity. idea that one can only be any form of discrimination that bisexual attracted to one gender. people face. "Bisexuals are all kidding themselves. Bisexual folks may face erasure "You get to date twice as many people." There's really only gay and straight." in both seemingly "straight" and Someone who is attracted to any given This is blatantly erasing the existence queer relationships. gender doesn't necessarily of bisexuality as an identity, and make everyone ofthat gender available dismisses the concept of fluidity of to them. Stating that bisexual people sexuality and the ability to self- getto date more folks, again, implies identify; everyone should be able to thatit's a choice, or a way to get a wider define their own identity and have that scope of dating opportunities. identity honoured..

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