Why are mental health issues References important to bisexuals*? San Francisco Human Rights Commission. (2011). “Bisexual Invisibility: Impacts and Research suggests that bisexuals suffer Recommendations.” worse mental health outcomes than http://sf-hrc.org/reports-research-investigations heterosexuals, lesbians, and gay men. These outcomes include: The Open University. (2012). “The Bisexuality Report: Bisexual Inclusion Mental Health • Higher rates of anxiety, depression, in LGBT Equality and Diversity.” and other mood disorders. http://www.open.ac.uk/ in the Bisexual • Higher reporting of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. National Resources Community: • Lower levels of social support. Bisexuality-Aware Professionals Directory • Being less likely to be comfortable with http://www.bizone.org/bap/ Biphobia, their sexuality or be “out” to friends and BiNet USA family compared to lesbians and gay men. 800-585-9368 www.binetusa.org Bi Erasure, • Higher rates of substance use, including The GLBT National Help Center Hotline cigarette smoking and heavy drinking. 1-888-843-4564 & Getting Help The Trevor Project Lifeline (for youth ages 13-24) 1-866-488-7386 What causes these poor mental health outcomes in bisexuals?

While the exact reasons may differ from person-to-person, research suggests that there are two common elements involved: • Biphobia, and • Bi erasure or invisibility Bisexual Resource Center More research is needed to better under- P.O. Box 170796 stand the scope and depth of mental health Boston, MA 02117 issues in the bisexual community. More 617-424-9595 action and resources are also needed to [email protected] address these issues. www.biresource.net

* The BRC uses “bisexual” as an umbrella term for The BRC has been raising awareness The Bisexual Resource Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) people who recognize and honor their potential for about bisexuality and providing sexual, emotional, and romantic attraction to more educational organization incorporated in the than one gender (pansexual, fluid, omnisexual, queer, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The BRC is resources and support to the and all other free-identifiers). primarily funded through the generosity of its donors. bi community since 1985. Bi Erasure or Invisibility support, self-acceptance, volunteering, and belonging in a bisexual community. Over the Another form of discrimination that many past decade, more bisexuals are fortunate to bisexuals experience is called bi erasure or have access to a bi-specific group in their local Biphobia invisibility. community and online websites for social support. Some groups are involved with Despite making up half of the lesbian, gay Bi erasure is ignoring, removing, or spreading awareness about bisexuality, and bisexual (LGB) community, bisexuals re-explaining the evidence of bisexuality. including combatting biphobia and bi erasure. often describe unique experiences of stigma Common examples associated with bi erasure You can locate a group near you through the and exclusion. Biphobia is one form of this include: BRC or BiNet USA websites. discrimination. • Denying that bisexuality exists as a real Biphobia is the fear of, hatred towards, or orientation, such as stating that it’s “just a discrimination against bisexuality. Common phase” or simply for experimental purposes stereotypes associated with biphobia include: as one “eventually” labels oneself as gay/ Self-Care Tips lesbian or heterosexual. • Bisexuals are sexually greedy, promiscuous, and carriers of sexually transmitted infec- • Assuming that a bisexual person is Bisexuals can also improve their mental tions (STIs). heterosexual if paired with a different-sex health by practicing self-care. Self-care partner, or gay/lesbian if paired with a techniques include: • Bisexuals are untrustworthy or traitors to the same-sex partner. LGBT community, because they can take • Taking mindful walks, practicing advantage of “heterosexual privilege.” • Stating that your organization is LGBT- meditation, or doing yoga. inclusive, but you don’t offer bi-specific • Expressing yourself through writing, • Bisexual women only aim to seek sexual programs and resources. attention from heterosexual men. such as journaling your feelings or • Mislabeling bisexuals as lesbian/gay or writing poems. • Bisexual men are too afraid to fully “come heterosexual even when they are openly • Boosting your self-esteem with positive, out” and therefore are “really just gay.” “out” as bisexual. daily affirmations (“I am bisexual and Biphobia isolates bisexuals from both hetero- Like biphobia, bisexual erasure has proud!”). sexual and LGBT communities. It also prevents profound effects on mental health in that • Practicing healthy habits, such as bisexuals from feeling positive and open it also invalidates and isolates bisexuals. about their sexuality, which in turn contributes eating nutritious meals, exercising to the higher reporting of anxiety, depression, Seeking Help and Support regularly, and limiting the intake of and self-harm as described earlier. tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. It is important for bisexuals who are experi- • Celebrating bisexuality through encing anxiety, depression, and/or suicidal relevant movies, books, culture, thoughts to seek professional help as soon as and history. After all, the bisexual There’s hope. possible. Locating a bi-positive mental health community’s contributions to media, provider may take time, but they are out science, education, sports, and politics there. (See the resources on other side of this have always been strong! brochure.) There’s help. • Wearing bisexual pride colors or Additionally, pilot research from the Centre incorporating them into your life, for Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario, whether through home decorations, Canada discovered that bisexuals associate car bumper stickers, or office furnishings. So reach out today. positive mental health outcomes with social Let your creative energies shine!