A Recent Study Shows A Huge Problem For Bisexual People

If you have ever said "Bisexuality isn't real" this ones for you...

An new article released this past November has some troubling news...

A journal article published recently in the Journal of Sex Research has found some troubling information. It has found that of every sexuality minority bisexual people are most likely to have the poorest physical health and poorest mental health.

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The researchers, professors from Harvard University and American University, concluded the reason why bisexual people are at risk for the poorest physical and mental health is thanks to prejudice and stigma or what they call Bisexual-specific minority stress. Meaning that if you, a friend, or someone you know have ever said something to someone Bisexual that is often said to Bisexual people a.k.a. "Bisexuality isn't real" or "choose a side", you may be part of the problem.

The study surveyed 488 adults. The adults were a mix of cisgendered men and women, transgender men and women, and gender fluid men and women. Their sexualities were either gay, lesbian, heterosexual, or bisexual. So what exactly did this research find out? Here are four things we now know:

1. Cisgender bisexual men have less bisexual specific minority stress then cisgender bisexual women.

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The study concludes that this is because bisexual women are often seen as promiscuous, unfaithful, and are overly sexualized in the media. Also, women in general are looked down upon for expressing their sexuality, so throwing biphobia into the mix is hurtful for them.

2. Bisexual transgender people face the poorest physical and mental health in comparison to everyone else.

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Biphobia+Transphobia+Sexism=A lot of stress

3. Bisexual women are more likely to have depression compared to lesbian and heterosexual women.

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The study encourages that doctors who have bisexual patients take this into account when evaluating their mental health.

4. Biphobia is present not only in social life but in health care practice as well, giving stress to bisexual people in many spaces.

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When research participants were asked places that they felt discriminated against, they felt discriminated socially, at work, and at the doctors office. Socially, they dealt with being seen as "sexually irresponsible" a.k.a promiscuous by their peers, at work, bisexual women had the added stress of pay inequality in the workplace (women), and at the doctors office, they felt as though their sexuality was never taken into account when dealing with their reproductive health. That's pretty terrible

So what can we do?

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Stop telling bisexual people that it is a "phase". Bisexuality exists, it is real, and telling someone to pick a side does more harm than good. If you have a friend who is bisexual make sure that you support them, and advocate for the fair treatment of all people no matter what their sexuality is.

Here's to erasing biphobia and being better to one another!

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If you or a loved one are ever feeling alone, isolated, or stressed due to your sexuality the Trevor Project and the Bisexual Resource Center can help.