Bisexuals still being overlooked

Bisexuals still being overlooked

Australian researchers say more study into bisexuality should be done in Australia.

A report released in the US this month, Bisexual Invisibility, says although self-identifying bisexuals outnumber their gay and lesbian counterparts, they are still largely excluded in research and can also be sidelined by the gay and lesbian community.

The report quoted 2010 US research of 5042 people, where 3.1 percent identified as bisexual, compared to only 2.5 percent who identified as gay or lesbian.

Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria director, Associate Professor Anne Mitchell told the Star Observer research into bisexuality can be challenging because bisexual people understand their sexuality in different ways, but said more study is needed.

“It is a huge issue and we really do need to do something because in nearly all studies where we’ve got different categories … bisexual people, whatever they mean by that, come off worse on a whole range of health measurements than gay and lesbian people,” Mitchell said.

“I do think it’s an area that warrants further investigation on the data we’ve got already.”

Consistent studies show more women identify as bisexual than men.

Deakin University researcher Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli said, however, research she has conducted shows the number of younger people identifying as bisexual is changing.

“There’s still a feeling in our society that you’ve got to be one thing or another, you can’t be both and that happens a lot,” Pallotta-Chiarolli told the Star Observer.

“We found because younger people are coming into a generation, and of course there’s homophobia and biphobia, but they’re coming into a time where there’s sexual fluidity and being out there and who you are is much more acceptable.”

Bi-Alliance Victoria president James Dominguez said while he was surprised by the figures in the US report, he believes bisexual invisibility can stem from a lack of social glue that binds gay and lesbian communities together.

“I think a good strong community needs a seed to grow around, a catalyst, whether that’s a particular cause or strong injustice, or even a particular activity,” he said.

“I think bisexuals lack that.”

Dominguez said the figures may reflect a societal change of view about bisexuality.

“I’ve always thought there are some people who, maybe in another lifetime, may have identified as bisexual, who identified as gay… because they were looking for something solid to tie themselves to and say, this is a group I belong to.

“There’s a great satisfaction and a sense of safety in that.”

info: Find the report at www.visible.bisocialnetwork.com

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4 responses to “Bisexuals still being overlooked”

  1. JohnLindsay
    I can see your point to an extent, but that means your saying all Bi people are polyamorous. As a Bisexual myself, I am quite happy to be in Monogamous relationships and have been previously.

  2. AME and the gay marriage debate still follow the Noah principle. People go into marriage 2 by 2! This twoism/truism marginalises all bisexual and poly people. IF it is true that there are more Bi people than exclusive gays and lesbians then marriage equality is discriminatory to people whose sexualy expression is varied. IF it is not true then they are an oppressed minority within both the straight and the gay community.
    Perhaps for Bi people civil unions are a better alternative than marriage equality for those exclusively Gay and lesbian??

  3. I was told at an early age to avoid Bisexuals at any cost by some very wise, older Gays.

    Iv’e seen them in action, take a boy out and dump him for a Girl and vice-versa. “Bad news those people”, you are told.
    Hence, part of their invisibility.

    Funny that I have been in a relationship with one, off and on for over twenty years, and it has been more than satisfying if you are prepared to wait at home and crochet.

    As age comes, the sex thing is not so important to them and they tend to stay at home more often, as long as dinner is on the table at seven pm.

    There you go.
    That’s the little bit I know about Bisexual men.