What is biphobia?
Biphobia is the prejudice, discrimination and stigma towards people who identify as bisexual (attraction to more than one gender, typically men and women, but can also include other gender identities). Biphobia is more than just an internal, individual belief. It results in widespread intolerance and violence against people who are bisexual. Biphobia is also understood as an aversion towards bisexuality. It is a term used to explain fear of bisexuality, hostility and disapproval of the bisexual community.
What does biphobia look like?
Biphobia can be subtle or overt. Subtle forms of biphobia include the use of phrases like ‘half gay’ or ‘half straight’. It may also be phrases like ‘he/she/they used to be straight and now is gay/lesbian’. Biphobia can often be displayed as bi-erasure, which is the incorrect assumption that bisexuality is not real.
Other examples of biphobia are assuming everyone you meet is either heterosexual or homosexual, or assuming that bisexual people are simple confused or indecisive about their sexuality.
What is the difference between biphobia and homophobia?
Homophobia is the fear, dislike or discrimination of individuals who are, or perceived as lesbian or gay. Biphobia on the other hand, is the ear, dislike or discrimination of individuals who are, or perceived as bisexual.
Conclusion
Biphobia is the prejudice, discrimination and stigma towards people who identify as bisexual (attraction to more than one gender, typically men and women, but can also include other gender identities). Biphobia can be subtle or overt. Subtle forms of biphobia include the use of phrases like ‘half gay’ or ‘half straight’. It may also be phrases like ‘he/she/they used to be straight and now is gay/lesbian’.
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