The Struggles of Being Bisexual, in the Closet and in a Relationship
The fear of being rejected for who you are, by your significant other is something that affects many bisexual individuals today.
Biphobia is a real thing. Whether people like to admit it or not, there are major stigmas and prejudicial thoughts towards the bisexual community, and its members. Recently, two close friends of mine have come out to me as bisexual, but the only problem is that they are still in the closet to everyone else, and their major fear is being rejected by the person that they are currently in a relationship with.
Yes, this fear is one that many bisexual, pansexual and sexually fluid individuals face on a daily basis. However, when these individuals are in the closet and are dating someone, it can be a really difficult and stressful situation. The fear is rooted in the stigmas of bisexuality, and sexualities such as pansexuality, where a person is attracted to more than one gender. The problematic stereotype of bisexual people being unfaithful, due to finding more than one gender attractive, has been warped and ingrained in society to the point that many people believe it.
People need to realise that a cheater is a cheater. Being unfaithful or having commitment issues has nothing to do with a person’s sexual orientation. Yes, a bisexual person may find more than one gender attractive, but a straight person will still find people of the opposite sex attractive, and a gay person will find people of the same sex attractive, whilst being in a relationship. The stereotype of bisexual people being unfaithful needs to be dismantled as it is extremely detrimental, and is not true.
Another concern expressed by some bisexual people in relationships, is that they fear that their partner(s), who may be have a different sexual orientation, may feel that they cannot please a bisexual person in a certain way because someone of another sex or gender can only do that. This belief must also be debunked because a bisexual person, like any person, is in a relationship with you for a reason, and that is compassion and care.
Perhaps the sad, yet brutal truth for individuals going through this situation is that a person who truly accepts you for who you are is the person for you. If they reject you because of your sexual identity, then they are definitely not the one for you. It shows that they have prejudicial thoughts and problematic notions towards you, your identity and your character.
Sadly, bisexual folks continue to face biphobia and bi erasure from various groups and in different situations. It will take time to break the hurtful, harmful stereotypes and dismantle the derogatory views. Fortunately, there is a growing movement for openness and it is clear that there are far more bisexual people out there than that what people initially thought, as people are beginning to become more comfortable with expressing who they are, and truly being themselves.
