Exploring the Intersectionality of Bisexuality and Other Identities

As society gradually embraces the richness of human diversity, it’s vital that we take a closer look at how different aspects of a person’s identity come together to shape their lived experiences - especially when it comes to bisexuality. Intersectionality, a term coined by scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the ways in which different social categories like race, gender, sexuality, and class interact and influence one another. For bisexual individuals, their experiences of both privilege and discrimination are often shaped by not only their sexual orientation but also other layers of their identity, such as their race, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

The complexities of bisexual identity are often misunderstood, and bisexual people may face unique challenges as they navigate multiple dimensions of their identity simultaneously. These overlapping factors can create both strength and struggle, influencing everything from personal relationships to access to healthcare and mental health support. In this blog, we will delve into the ways bisexuality intersects with these other identities, exploring the challenges bisexual individuals face, but also celebrating the resilience and strength that emerge from these overlapping experiences.

By understanding these intersections, we can create a more inclusive and empathetic environment for bisexual individuals and begin to recognize the importance of acknowledging their health needs during Bisexual Health Awareness Month. Join us as we reflect on how these layers of identity shape the lives of bisexual individuals and how we can work together to ensure their voices are heard and their health needs are met.

What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality, a concept introduced by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s, provides a framework for understanding how various aspects of a person’s identity - such as race, gender, sexuality, and class - intersect and interact to shape their experiences. Instead of viewing identity as a single, isolated category, intersectionality recognizes that people live at the crossroads of multiple identities, each of which can either amplify or mitigate experiences of privilege and oppression. This lens allows us to see the full complexity of an individual’s life, recognizing that the challenges they face are not the result of any one aspect of their identity but rather the overlapping and interconnected nature of their multiple identities.

When we apply intersectionality to bisexuality, it becomes clear how bisexual individuals may experience a unique blend of discrimination or oppression based on the different layers of their identity. For example, a bisexual Black woman may face distinct challenges compared to a bisexual man, even though both share the same sexual orientation. These challenges may come from the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality, with each layer influencing how they navigate the world. The experiences of a bisexual Latinx person may differ significantly from those of a bisexual white individual, not only because of sexual orientation but also due to cultural expectations, racism, or class dynamics.

Understanding the intersectionality of bisexuality is critical for recognizing and addressing the diverse needs within the bisexual community. By taking this holistic approach, we can ensure that support, resources, and advocacy are more inclusive and better meet the nuanced realities that bisexual individuals face in their everyday lives.

How Bisexuality Intersects with Gender Identity

One of the most profound and nuanced intersections for bisexual individuals lies in the relationship between their sexual orientation and gender identity. Bisexuality, by definition, refers to attraction to more than one gender, but the ways in which bisexual people experience and express their sexual orientation can be deeply shaped by their own gender identity.

Bisexuality and Gender Norms

For bisexual individuals assigned female at birth, societal expectations around femininity often create a challenging landscape for expressing their bisexuality. Cultural norms dictate that women should adhere to traditional gender roles that can limit their visibility as bisexual. Women who are attracted to both men and women may struggle to navigate a world that either fetishizes their bisexuality or dismisses it altogether as a mere phase. This can lead to a profound sense of isolation or frustration, especially in communities where female bisexuality is marginalized, misunderstood, or fetishized.

In contrast, bisexual men, particularly cisgender ones, often face the stereotype of “bi invisibility.” The assumption that they are either straight or gay means their bisexuality is frequently invalidated, even by both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities. This erasure can lead to deep feelings of alienation and pressure to conform to binary gender expectations that don’t capture the full spectrum of their experiences.

Transgender and Non-Binary Bisexual Individuals

For transgender and non-binary individuals, the intersection of bisexuality and gender identity presents unique challenges. Bisexuality, as it’s commonly understood, often centers around a binary understanding of gender (male and female), and this can leave those outside this binary - like non-binary, gender-fluid, or genderqueer individuals - feeling marginalized within the bisexual community itself. However, many transgender and non-binary people find that their attraction to multiple genders is central to their identity, even if it doesn't always fit neatly into traditional, binary frameworks. Their experience of bisexuality can be just as valid and significant as anyone else’s, even if it doesn’t conform to societal expectations of gender.

Transgender bisexual individuals, in particular, often face the painful challenge of being perceived as “confused” or “transitioning out of” their bisexuality as they transition from one gender to another. This misunderstanding stems from the false notion that bisexuality is only valid in a rigid, binary gender context. However, for many transgender individuals, bisexuality is not just a phase - it’s a deeply rooted aspect of their sexual identity that remains just as significant and enduring through gender transitions as it was before. Bisexuality doesn’t disappear when a person transitions; it is a valid and central part of their lived experience, regardless of gender.

The Intersection of Bisexuality and Race

Race and ethnicity are powerful forces that intersect with bisexuality, shaping unique experiences of privilege, oppression, and identity. While bisexual individuals may already face challenges related to their sexual orientation, people of color within the bisexual community often navigate additional layers of marginalization, both from within their own communities and from society at large.

Racism and the Bi+ Community

Bisexual people of color often find themselves in a difficult position, where they must contend with both racism and biphobia. They face discrimination not only because of their sexual orientation but also because of their racial or ethnic identity. This intersectionality means that bisexual people of color often navigate multiple, overlapping systems of oppression. For example, they might encounter racism within LGBTQIA+ spaces or experience biphobia within their racial or ethnic communities.

In some instances, bisexual people of color may feel excluded from predominantly white LGBTQIA+ spaces. Their identities and experiences may be misunderstood, overlooked, or even invalidated, creating a sense of isolation within a community that should be a source of support. On the flip side, within their racial or ethnic communities, bisexual people of color might face immense pressure to conform to traditional, heteronormative standards. They may be forced to hide or suppress their sexual orientation, leading to feelings of disconnection or alienation from both their cultural heritage and their LGBTQIA+ identity.

Biphobia within Communities of Color

Within many communities of color, there exists a strong adherence to traditional family values and heteronormative expectations, which can lead to the marginalization or outright rejection of non-heterosexual individuals. Bisexuality, in particular, is often misunderstood or dismissed as a “phase,” leading to a lack of validation for bisexual individuals, especially those from communities that emphasize traditional gender roles and heterosexuality.

For bisexual people of color, this rejection can be compounded by a lack of understanding or acceptance both within their racial communities and the broader LGBTQIA+ community. The erasure of bisexual identities—especially those of bisexual people of color—can lead to painful feelings of isolation, as their experiences of attraction to multiple genders are often invalidated, silenced, or ignored.

The Impact of Underrepresentation

The challenges faced by bisexual people of color are further exacerbated by their underrepresentation in media, activism, and leadership positions. Visibility plays a crucial role in fostering validation and acceptance, but when bisexual people of color are missing from prominent roles or are shown only through stereotypical lenses, it reinforces the marginalization they face in both racial and LGBTQIA+ spaces. The lack of positive, authentic representations can make it harder for individuals to feel seen and understood, reinforcing feelings of isolation and alienation.

Bisexuality and Socio-Economic Status

Socio-economic status (SES) is a crucial aspect of the intersectionality of bisexuality, as individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds often face distinct challenges that compound the struggles they experience because of their sexual orientation. For bisexual individuals, financial instability can create significant barriers to accessing healthcare, mental health services, and community support, which are essential to maintaining well-being.

Health Disparities and Access to Care

Bisexual individuals, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, may encounter discrimination in various areas of life, such as the workplace, housing, or education. These challenges can result in economic instability, which can be especially pronounced for those who experience both financial hardship and discrimination because of their sexual orientation. The combination of these stressors can lead to greater difficulties in achieving financial security, further exacerbating the risks for mental health struggles, including depression, anxiety, and stress.

For example, a bisexual person who experiences workplace discrimination may face barriers to career advancement, which can hinder their ability to earn a sustainable income. This financial instability can prevent them from accessing healthcare or mental health resources, which may include vital services such as therapy, sexual health care, or medication. Without these resources, the cycle of financial hardship and poor mental health can deepen.

Health Disparities and Access to Care

Health disparities are another significant concern for bisexual individuals, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Many bisexual people may face challenges in accessing essential healthcare services, such as sexual health resources, HIV prevention, STI testing, or mental health counseling. Financial barriers can further limit their ability to seek necessary treatment and support.

Studies have shown that bisexual individuals are at higher risk for poor mental health outcomes - such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation - compared to their heterosexual peers. For those from lower-income backgrounds, these mental health struggles can be even more challenging to address, as they may have limited access to the resources needed to manage their health. The lack of affordable mental health care, coupled with financial insecurity, can lead to a feeling of helplessness and an increased burden on bisexual individuals who are already navigating multiple forms of discrimination.

The compounded challenges of socio-economic hardship, poor mental health, and lack of access to care make it especially difficult for bisexual people from marginalized socio-economic backgrounds to achieve and maintain overall well-being. Addressing these disparities requires recognizing the intersection of sexual orientation and socio-economic status, ensuring that individuals have access to not only financial support but also affordable, inclusive, and accessible healthcare.

The Importance of Intersectional Representation in Advocacy and Activism

Advocating for bisexual individuals goes beyond recognizing their sexual orientation - it means understanding how their experiences are shaped by a complex web of intersecting identities. Intersectionality calls for an approach that views bisexuality not as a singular experience, but as one influenced by multiple factors, such as gender, race, socio-economic status, and more. For advocacy work to be truly effective, it must account for these intersecting identities, ensuring that all bisexual individuals, regardless of their background, have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.

Advocacy and Inclusivity in LGBTQIA+ Spaces

LGBTQ+ organizations, activists, and advocacy groups play a vital role in fostering inclusivity, but their work must actively engage with intersectionality. Bisexual individuals are often underrepresented or misunderstood within the broader LGBTQIA+ community. Their unique challenges, especially those faced by bisexual people of color, bisexual transgender individuals, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, require intentional advocacy efforts that go beyond surface-level representation.

Creating truly inclusive spaces means considering the varying experiences of bisexual people, such as:

• Bisexual people of color, who may face racialized biphobia in addition to the racism and discrimination that affects them in other contexts.

• Bisexual transgender individuals, who can experience rejection not only from their cisgender peers but also from both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities.

• Bisexual individuals from marginalized socio-economic backgrounds, who may encounter additional barriers in accessing healthcare, employment, and other essential services.

  
  

Intersectional Advocacy Efforts Must Include:

1. Bisexual-Inclusive Policy Changes: Effective advocacy must push for policies that account for the specific needs of bisexual individuals in crucial areas such as healthcare, employment, and education. For example, healthcare policies should recognize the distinct health challenges faced by bisexual people - such as higher rates of mental health struggles, HIV risk, and lack of access to affirming care. Employment policies must address workplace discrimination and the stigma bisexual individuals face, ensuring they can live and work in environments where they are respected and supported.

2. Visibility and Representation in Leadership and Media: Representation matters. Bisexual individuals, especially those who belong to other marginalized groups, must be visibly represented in leadership roles, activism, and media. This means amplifying the voices of bisexual people of color, transgender bisexual individuals, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. When bisexual individuals see themselves reflected in leadership, media, and public spaces, it fosters a sense of validation and community. This visibility can also help dismantle harmful stereotypes, such as the "bi-invisibility" that often marginalizes bisexual men and people who identify outside of the binary gender spectrum.

3. Community Support Services: Building supportive spaces for bisexual individuals is essential to combating isolation and ensuring mental and physical well-being. Community organizations and mental health services should provide safe spaces where bisexual people can come together, share experiences, and access resources tailored to their needs. This includes providing culturally competent care, especially in mental health and sexual health services, which are vital for people facing multiple layers of discrimination. Advocacy efforts should also focus on ensuring that these spaces are inclusive of all bisexual people, regardless of their race, gender, or socio-economic status.

Embracing the Complexity of Bisexuality

Bisexuality, like all identities, doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The intersectionality of bisexuality with other facets of identity - whether gender, race, socio-economic status, or beyond - shapes the lived experiences of bisexual individuals in deeply unique ways. Understanding that bisexuality is intertwined with these multiple identities is crucial to fully appreciating the diversity of experiences within the bisexual community.

Bisexual people are multifaceted individuals, just like everyone else. Their experiences of oppression, privilege, love, and identity are complex and often fluid. For some, being bisexual means navigating the tension between different societal expectations based on their gender, race, or socio-economic background. For others, it may involve confronting stereotypes and discrimination that come with being in a marginalized group.

As a society, embracing the intersectionality of bisexuality isn’t just about acknowledging these complexities - it’s about creating spaces that honor and respect the full spectrum of bisexual experiences. This means recognizing that bisexuality doesn’t look the same for everyone. By listening to the stories of bisexual people from various walks of life, we can begin to understand their struggles, celebrate their triumphs, and support them in meaningful ways.

When we foster spaces where bisexual individuals feel seen, heard, and understood, we empower them to live fully as themselves. This commitment to intersectionality is a step toward a world where all identities are valued, respected, and supported - where no one is reduced to a single story, and everyone’s truth is allowed to shine.