Being Bi/Pan in the wider LGBTQ+ community
Being Bisexual or Pansexual can sometimes be met with hostility by the wider LGBTQ community. Bisexual people sometimes face accusations that they are secretly gay and are in denial, or that they are really straight and are experimenting. Other harmful stereotypes include all bisexuals being ‘greedy’, promiscuous or unable to stay faithful in a relationship. These stereotypes serve to marginalise the bisexual people who may feel sidelined from the ‘mainstream straight’ as well as the LGBTQ+ community.
A debate surrounded gender binarism and bisexuality has emerged, with some arguing that bisexuality is transphobic and supports the gender binary. This argument is rooted in biphobia and bi-erasure. Firstly, it ignores bisexual transgender, gender non- binary and nonconforming people! Furthermore, there are numerous definitions of bisexuality, there are alternative definitions outside of being attracted to cis men and cis women.
Here’s a video that goes into more detail. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z12Hl2DvFjo&ab_channel=marinashutup)
Pansexual folks may face accusations that their sexuality is a made up ‘tumblr identity’ but as this article nicely summarises ‘just because you don’t like the medium that popularized it doesn’t mean that it is illegitimate… So please – stop blaming Tumblr for your own prejudice against Queer identities’ (https://everydayfeminism.com/2014/11/pansexuality-101/). Another harmful misconception is that because pansexuals are attracted to all sexes and genders they’ll sleep with anybody, simply because someone can be attracted to someone doesn’t mean they will be!
A debate surrounded gender binarism and bisexuality has emerged, with some arguing that bisexuality is transphobic and supports the gender binary. This argument is rooted in biphobia and bi-erasure. Firstly, it ignores bisexual transgender, gender non- binary and nonconforming people! Furthermore, there are numerous definitions of bisexuality, there are alternative definitions outside of being attracted to cis men and cis women.
Here’s a video that goes into more detail. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z12Hl2DvFjo&ab_channel=marinashutup)
Pansexual folks may face accusations that their sexuality is a made up ‘tumblr identity’ but as this article nicely summarises ‘just because you don’t like the medium that popularized it doesn’t mean that it is illegitimate… So please – stop blaming Tumblr for your own prejudice against Queer identities’ (https://everydayfeminism.com/2014/11/pansexuality-101/). Another harmful misconception is that because pansexuals are attracted to all sexes and genders they’ll sleep with anybody, simply because someone can be attracted to someone doesn’t mean they will be!
BEING Bi/Pan IN OXFORD
Bi/Pan Facebook group
There is a secret Facebook group run by the Bi/Pan Rep which anyone who identifies on the bisexual and/or biromantic spectrum, and anyone who is questioning their orientation, is welcome to join. It’s a safe space where you can to ask questions and share experiences, and it’s also where you can find all the information about Bi/Pan meet-ups and events. Email the Bi/Pan Rep at oubipan@gmail.com to be added!
If you think you might be bisexual and/or pansexual and want to talk to someone who can tell you more and introduce you to the Oxford Bi/Pan community, feel free to contact the Society’s Bi/Pan Rep at oubipan@gmail.com
There is a secret Facebook group run by the Bi/Pan Rep which anyone who identifies on the bisexual and/or biromantic spectrum, and anyone who is questioning their orientation, is welcome to join. It’s a safe space where you can to ask questions and share experiences, and it’s also where you can find all the information about Bi/Pan meet-ups and events. Email the Bi/Pan Rep at oubipan@gmail.com to be added!
If you think you might be bisexual and/or pansexual and want to talk to someone who can tell you more and introduce you to the Oxford Bi/Pan community, feel free to contact the Society’s Bi/Pan Rep at oubipan@gmail.com
