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an educational thread on bisexuality; non bisexuals i encourage you to open this thread !!
im making this because i see. so much biphobia on the timeline and as a bisexual person w severe internalized biphobia... im fucking sick of it quite frankly and this is the nicest thing i can do before i just. Snap.
bisexuality was a term coined around 1820, buy wasnt popularized until 1990. bisexuals share much of their history w gay men/lesbians but thats spawned debates that arent important rn. what IS important, is the bisexual manifesto.
the bisexual manifesto was written in 1990 by bisexuals tired of having their identity defined by people who werent bi. its often sourced as the be all end all on the definition of bisexuality. below is the most quoted section.
"Bisexuality is a whole, fluid identity. Do not assume that bisexuality is binary or duogamous in nature: that we have “two” sides or that we must be involved simultaneously with both genders to be fulfilled human beings. In fact, don’t assume that there are only two genders.+
Do not mistake our fluidity for confusion, irresponsibility, or an inability to commit."
i would encourage you to read the whole thing, its a google search away and is a very important piece of bi history !!!
i would encourage you to read the whole thing, its a google search away and is a very important piece of bi history !!!
while the definition of bisexuality has changed over time (as most things have), one thing has remained a staple; bisexuality is fluid. what we mean by this is that there are many different ways to define bisexuality, and all are correct.
this is seen in the idea of "two or more." for some, it may only be men and women. for some, it may be men, women, and non binary people. for some, there may be preferences. for some, there may not be. all of these are STILL bisexuality
note; the idea that bisexuality ONLY includes men and women is inherently ahistoric and biphobic. while that may be the case for you, it isnt for everyone. please keep this in mind going forward.
bisexuality is for bisexuals to define for themselves, essentially. not everyones bisexuality is the same, and thats okay !!! youre completely valid no matter how you define bisexuality for yourself, and what the label means to you !!!
now, onto the flag :]
![now, onto the flag :]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EnDK56nXEAMOATn.jpg "now, onto the flag :]")
the bi flag was designed in 1998 (i believe, correct me if im wrong) by michael page. his aim was to give bi people a symbol similar to the gay pride flag, to bring more awareness of bisexuality to not only cishets, but the wider lgbtq+ community as well.
the colour meanings are fairly straightforward.
pink; attraction to the same sex
purple; attraction to both sexes
blue; attraction to the opposite sex
pink; attraction to the same sex
purple; attraction to both sexes
blue; attraction to the opposite sex
and finally, biphobic terms and phrases that non bi ppl should stay the fuck away from :] bi ppl feel free to add on !!!
1) bihet; a term (mostly used against women) to mock bi people in opposite sex relationships
2) switch hitter; an informal term for a bisexual person
!! this is also a baseball term, check for context before assuming biphobia !!
!! this is also a baseball term, check for context before assuming biphobia !!
3) "straight passing privilege"; the idea that since bisexuals can "pass as straight" we are "less oppressed" or less valuable members of the community
4) "hearts not parts"; this is debatable, but a lot of ppl (including gays n lesbians) see this phrase as insinuating all sexualities other than pan are shallow. be careful when using it !! it upsets some, but not others !!!
if u use any of these, especially straight passing privilege, get fucked.
to the non bisexuals reading this, i hope this was educational for you ! i hope you learned some new information that you didnt know before !! please take some time to support the bi people around you. seeing our identity constantly shit on hurts. im sure fellow+
lgbtq+ ppl can understand. thank you for taking time to educate yourself, it really means more than you know !!!
and to my fellow bi people reading this for some validation, i love you so much. youre so valid in this label youve chosen to put on yourself. i know it sucks to see so many people shitting on our identity but we can get through this together.
it sucks right now but know that you are so valid and me and the rest of the bi community are here to lift you up and support you as best we can.
and its okay if youre not so sure about this label yet. you have time to figure yourself out. and its okay if youre dealing w internalized biphobia. youre not less bi for those kinds of experiences. its okay. we're here to support you. IM here to support you.
welp, thats all ive got for now. thanks for reading !!! <3
!!! very important addition !!! https://twitter.com/PinkJadeGar/status/1328788970893946881?s=19
