From the Huffpost:
We've all heard the stereotypes: indecisive, confused, wanting the
best of both worlds, promiscuous, gay or lesbian in transition, engaging
in a fad, seeking attention. If you identify as "bisexual," you've
likely encountered at least a few of these clichés during and after your
coming out process. I know I have. Despite the slew of us out there
attempting to dispel such myths on a daily basis, they continue to be
perpetuated, and they continue to make life difficult for us all.
The truth is that it can be more of a hardship to be bisexual than
gay or lesbian in this world we live in, a world of black and white,
this or that. When you aren't one way or another but straddling the
line, life can be fraught with problems, both external and internal,
that homosexuals and heterosexuals do not encounter.
'Bisexuals Are Just Unable to Choose'
It always boggles my mind when I encounter people, particularly
within the LGBT community, who believe bisexuals simply have not
"chosen" one sex/gender or the other to be attracted to. The LGBT
community is constantly battling the nature-vs.-nurture debate, coming
up against those who believe homosexuality is a sin and a choice. If it
isn't a choice for gays and lesbians, why would anyone think it was a
choice for bisexuals? The same rules apply.
Cynthia Nixon got a lot of flak for using the word "choice" to
describe her relationship with a woman. Though she qualified it by
saying that she did not "choose" to be bisexual but simply to enter into
her current homosexual relationship, I'd challenge that concept by
saying that none of us "choose" whom we are attracted to -- gay,
straight, or bisexual. We have no control over attraction. Cynthia no
more chose to be attracted to the man she was with for a decade and a
half than she chose to be with the woman she is now going to marry.
Although some may still see bisexuality as wanting the best of both
sexes, the truth is that more often than not, bisexuals date one person
of one sex/gender at a time.
'Bisexuals Can't Be Monogamous'
Many if not all of us who are bisexual have likely been presented
with the claim that we cannot possibly be monogamous if we are attracted
to more than one sex/gender. One past employer of mine even had the
gall to ask me if I "thought about sex more than other people" because I
was bi. I know there are times when people we are attracted to choose
not to date us because we identify as bisexual, believing incorrectly
that we are more likely to cheat on them. While I can't speak for
everyone, from my own perspective I'd say that the fact that someone
might be attracted to more than one gender doesn't mean they will want
to be in more than one relationship or be sexual with more than one
person at one time. Sure, there are polyamorous individuals who do have
multiple relationships at once, but many who identify as bisexual want
to be in a loving relationship with one person at a time. Being bisexual
does not automatically equal promiscuity or the need/want for multiple
partners at any given time.
'Bisexuals Are Just in Transition'
This may be one stereotype that male bisexuals deal with more than
females, but it is almost a certainty that if you identify as bi,
someone in your life will comment that "maybe you are really gay/lesbian
and you don't know it yet." It is also likely that the reverse will
occur: "Maybe you're just experimenting and you're really straight" --
you know, that whole "going through a phase" argument. For some, it may
be true that a transition or phase is occurring, but for most who
identify as bisexual and maintain that identity, it is not, and for such
people it can be very insulting to hear these lines of reasoning time
and time again.
'Bisexuals Are Just Following a Trend'
"LUG" and "GUG" are typical acronyms that many college-aged men and
women hear, translating to "Lesbian Until Graduation" or "Gay Until
Graduation," respectively. These days, it is almost considered "cool" to
be "bicurious" at some point in your life, mostly for women in college,
who are encouraged to make out for the amusement and excitement of the
heterosexual men around them. While sexual experimentation should be
encouraged, in my opinion these representations are harmful to actual
bisexuals. For us, it's no fad, and we aren't participating in bisexual
behavior for the attention of others; it's our lives.
We're Here, We're Queer...
When all is said and done, bisexuals exist, no matter whom we may or
may not be in a relationship with at any particular point. We are just
as much a part of the LGBT community as the Ls, Gs, and Ts, and to not
acknowledge us as such is denying an important aspect of our identities
and an important component of the community as a whole.
One might ask: "Why is Ulf posting an article on bisexuality on his blog?"
Simply put, as a gay man I've been guilty of the very things the author of this article points out, something that all bisexuals have to deal with on a day to day basis.
But I do have too say, I'm guilty of it based solely on my own personal experiences with bisexual males thru my lifetime.
Over the years, I've had no less than 4 bisexual lovers that I've been in, what I considered as, potential long term relationships.
One of these relationships lasted as long as two years and one less than three months (all of these were relationships where we lived together)
Everyone of these men (and others I just dated) without exception left the relationship for a woman and each and every one of them are either now married or have been married (sometimes multiply) to women.
Of the 4 I had a relationship with, three of them a year or two later, sought me out for a *hookup* for the lack of a better word.
So whats my point? The author of this story makes a presumption of guilt on the part of gays and heterosexuals, accusing us of *passing judgement* on bisexuals unjustly.
My opinion, and from my own personal experiences, many of them bring this down upon themselves from their inability to make a long term commitment to someone of the same sex (or even of the opposite sex). Yes, it's far easier to be in a more traditional heterosexual relationship, but try explaining that to someone whose been left to deal with emotional baggage left in the wake of this sexual rollercoaster.
Do I hate bisexuals, no, I still have sex with bi men, the better question would be, would I ever be in a committed relationship with another bisexual male...I'd like to say I could, but experience has taught me, no, I doubt I could ever emotional invest myself in someone who is bisexual, just knowing that they are allocates them to the roll of fuck buddy in the back of my mind.
Undoubtedly, there are bisexual men and women out there in committed gay relationships (or str8 ones for that matter) but truthfully, in my experiences, that's the exception, not the norm.
If my opinion happens to offend someone, don't worry, you'll get over it, I know I've had too on more than one occasion.
3 comments:
Same exact experience here Ulf, including the post-breakup "hookup" scenario. What's snarky about it is that, unlike a closeted gay man, they have probably already introduced you to the woman who will become the source of your "breakup" in advance, and the three of you may have hung out together as things advance towards the inevitable.
I seem to be a magnet for married bisexual men and have dated a few in the past. I don't hold anything against them but emotionally I just won't ever allow myself to get attached to anyone who is not self-identifying as gay.
-Gregorio
Hi Ulf, Like your blog and your art.
I agree, Generally someone who is Bi, I would say from experience, is someone that is not committed. They are just looking for sex and enjoy it from both men and women. I had an experience once at a gay bar where a very hot guy was cruising me, and we ended up getting it on in a back room lounge area. I gave him a nice BJ and he enjoyed it, but while talking after I found out that he was really bi and was supposed to be getting married the next day. I guess he was just getting a last "fling" from the other side of the fence. Nothing wrong with that, except what happens latter with his wife, and he decides he wants it from one of the boys? As you stated, in your experience, Ulf, they all wanted a "hookup" or a "quickie" later. It just shows that they aren't or weren't ready to commit.
If they do decide to get into a relationship, they should just have the maturity to either stick to who they have chosen if they want monogamy, or be ready to have a discussion with their partner if they are polyamorous. What does their relationship mean?, and is it really a relationship if they really aren't able to maintain fidelity to that one person?
I think what many of us feel about people who are Bi is similar to us gays or heterosexual people that enjoy sex with more than one person. A lot of people gay and straight think we are a bunch of "horn dogs", and for some that may be correct. For too many guys especially.
I am polyamorous, but I have a partner and have been with him for going on 29 years this year. Not trying to break my arm attempting to pat myself on the back here, just that I do enjoy being sensual, kinky and having a connection with other people at times. My relationship is one of more "Don't Ask-Don't tell" to help keep jealousy and hurt feelings at bay. I have made my decision and am sticking to being with my partner. He is mine, and we have that connection at least that will keep us together. I have made a commitment even though there have been rough times.
From experience, it really is hard to find someone that you can get that connection, and far too many of us don't work at it, Gay Bi or Straight. I wish more people would try to make a connection with that other human being, and have it be spiritual besides being physical. The second part, spirituality, is what I find is too often lacking.
Gary
aka sflthrcub
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