Information AboutBiphobia |
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Biphobia is the fear of, discrimination against, or hatred of Bisexual People . It need not include Homophobia or Heterophobia , because there are Stereotype s that are specific to bisexuals.1 BIPHOBIC STEREOTYPES Bisexual stereotypes include, but are not limited to: s into the heterosexual community or into the LGBT community. A related stereotype is one in which a bisexual person is presumed to be willing to have sex with just about anyone. This stereotype leads to unwanted attention of a sexual nature directed at bisexual Female s by swingers and heterosexual males while often stereotyping bisexual males as walking AIDS risks. Often, however, heterosexuals will add more stereotypes based on homophobia. Homophobes may think that bisexuals are gender nonconformist. Homosexual people will sometimes experience bisexuals as maintaining privilege and collaborating with the homophobes while simultaneously enjoying the LGBT lifestyle. Some consider the belief that people are either heterosexual or homosexual, and thus that bisexuality does not truly exist, to be biphobic.2 PMID 11304706 A 2002 study claimed that a sample of men self-identifying as bisexual did not respond equally to pornographic material involving only men, and to pornography involving only women, but instead showed four times more arousal to one than the other. However, bisexuality does not imply equal attraction towards both genders. In addition, opponents claim that genital arousal to homosexual pornographic material is not a good indicator of orientation. They also point out that the study showed a third of men had no arousal, and ask why this doesn't mean that one third of men are really June 26 2007 Lynn Conway criticised the author of the study, J. Michael Bailey , citing his controversial history, and pointing out that the study has not been scientifically repeated and confirmed by any independent researchers.http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/Bailey/Bisexuality/Bisexuality-NYT%207-05-05.html Conversely, there is a stereotype that "everyone is bisexual." Myths About Bisexuality (PDF pamphlet from Bisexual Resource Center) One common motive for negative attitudes toward bisexuality may be fear for straight males and straight females that their husbands/boyfriends and wives/girlfriends may Divorce them or Break Up with them for members of the same sex. The same fears exists among gay people as well. For Lesbian s it may be the fear that a bisexual Woman will leave a woman for a Man ; and vice versa with gay males fearing that they would be dumped for a woman. The heterosexual male is seen as having an unfair systemic advantage both due to Sexism and due to homophobia. Bisexual persons may also be the target of homophobia from those who consider only heterosexuality appropriate. Many anti-bisexuals also believe that bisexuality is a trend, especially a teenage one, popularised by bisexual musicians, actors, etc. (i.e. the term, he built a window in his closet): some also believe it is a stage in adolescence which happens to everyone which people grow out of and that therefore bisexuals are worse people for making an issue out of it. Some also believe bisexuals are just seeking attention for comfort or sex. Some Radical Lesbian Feminists think that bisexual women are giving in to Patriarchy . Others say that people against bisexuals are insecure about their sexuality themselves, similarly to homophobia. It is fair to note many anti-bisexuals are also Homophobic , while maintaining there are only heterosexual and homosexual as sexual preferences, and a common stereotype is that female bisexuals are attention seeking heterosexuals, while male ones are just self-denying homosexuals too afraid to acknowledge their true orientation. SEE ALSO
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