Why is there such a huge biphobia issue in the LGBT community?

I think it is a bit far to call it hate, and not to criticize your age, but you do not have a lot of access to the LGBT community at 16.

It is an interesting question coming from a 16 year old as you may be experiencing a far more polarized reaction. Anyone coming out at that age will be far more identified with their sexuality and I would surmise that they take great stock in the identity of being LGBT.

From a perspective of someone out for a longer period of time, dating a bi-sexual person would produce a whole list of new challenges that would need to be navigated. As a gay man it would be an extra burden on the relationship that would seemingly make it much more difficult to navigate successfully. It is not that it may not be worth that risk and extra effort, but it certainly becomes part of the thought process. I thought through what would go through my mind if I were to meet someone that I felt I might be interested in dating who revealed they were Bi-Sexual.

  • Would this person want children. If this person wants children, would they decide that a biological child be something they would desire and be something that would cause this person to abandon the relationship at a later time.
  • I personally have no desire or interest in women sexually, obviously this would be a component of my partners needs/desires. Thought would have to be put into how to navigate that. Is that something I would be willing to take on. An open relationship at a minimum would seem likely.
  • I do not have a lot of female friends, I have one very close one that I have had for almost 30 years but outside that single relationship I have not developed a lot of female friends outside of work. I am not adverse to female friends, however dating someone who is bisexual would likely change my current social structure by a great deal to make sure they have a fulfilling social life.

Those are just the quick things that came to mind in reading your question. I think what struck me the most about your question was:

  1. Your young age. Do not be so quick to label what you are seeing as hatred. High School is a time when people are just starting to figure out sexuality and feelings are greatly polarized. I am not saying there is no prejudice against bisexuals in the LGBT community but you do not have access to the larger community and you might find it becomes less (or more) the greater your access to the community becomes.
  2. There is prejudice in the LGBT community from all corners, people tend to group together in like communities and the LGBT community is no exception. Lesbians with Lesbians, Gay men with Gay men etc. Perhaps trying to date other Bisexuals you would find less resistance.

It is good that you both recognize this aspect of yourself and are not willing to suppress it in order to get what you want. I think a lot of animosity that comes from the Gay and Lesbian communities towards Bisexuals comes after a breakup, particularly if that breakup is for someone of the opposite sex. It becomes easy for the hurt party to say, oh that person was not really Bisexual they were just confused, straight or gay depending on who was left for what sex. It is a particular part of the burden your sexuality comes with.

Good luck to you.

/r/lgbt Thread