Recently, an unauthorised biography of singer Jessie J claimed that she was lesbian, despite the fact that she had come out as bisexual in 2011. The biography dismissed Jessie J’s sexual identity as something music executives thought would be trendier, and less alienating to male fans than a lesbian identity.
The problem with this, aside from the fact that Jessie J denied the claims and said that she would be upfront if she were a lesbian, is the attempt to explain away bisexual identity.
Other celebrities such as Harry Potter stars Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe have gay rumours following them. Emma Watson said that her short hairstyle lead to the press speculating that she was a lesbian. Daniel Radcliffe has had similar rumours, despite his relationships with women.
No one considers for a second that they may be bisexual. The fact that the media only seeks to separate people into either gay or straight shows how bisexuality is not even considered as a viable option; a fact that has serious effects on the bisexual and LGBT community.
The lack of attention that bisexuality receives, especially with respect to the LGBT rights movement, can have negative effects on those who identify as bi.
People who identify as bisexual can be dismissed as confused, undecided, greedy, homosexuals in denial, or attention-seeking heterosexuals. All of these slurs have one thing in common: they attempt to forge a flimsy argument against the existence of bisexuality. This idea of attempting to shrug it off is known as bisexual erasure, which is linked with the strange idea that if a bisexual individual is in a relationship, they become either gay or straight, depending on the gender of their partner.
If the existence of bisexuality, and with it the sexual orientation of bisexual people is denied, this can have profoundly negative consequences for those affected. If it is not discussed, then how can we deal with problems that are unique to them? Do we lump them in with gay issues, and add further to the belief that bisexuality doesn’t exist? How do we help people who want to come out as bisexual to their family, friends, and their straight/gay partners? If it’s not seen as even possible, never mind acceptable, to be bisexual, this can lead to massive amounts of confusion amongst questioning youths.
This is highlighted by Evan Rachel Wood, one of the stars in True Blood. Wood came out as bisexual in 2011, and she had to stress that her identity was real, rather than a one-woman phase, knowing that she had been attracted to men and women for as long as she can remember. Wood also said that no one explains bisexuality to children. Young people who think they are bisexual may grow up being scared of it, similar to young people who think they are gay.
If bisexuality gets the attention it deserves, and a consensus that it is just as valid as any other orientation is formed, then this can make things easier for all those in the ‘bi closet’. Furthermore, Wood’s co-star Anna Paquin, who also came out as bisexual in 2010, said that biphobia needs to be addressed.
It seems incredible that we have to go to extraordinary lengths to merely acknowledge the existence of bisexuality. Whilst doing this won’t necessarily eradicate all the stereotypes and doubts directed at these individuals, it is a good first step.
If society and the media were more willing to talk about bisexuality, negative stereotypes about it can be tackled head on. It can also help to make sure that bisexual individuals are allowed to have their say in the fight for LGBT liberation.
This article is full of true things and I am glad that it was written.