Still Complicated

Biphobia in LGBTI+ spaces

Among those people who reported experiencing biphobia in LGBT+ services, 3 out of 5 said it happened “more than once”. It is important to note that those numbers include only those who have accessed LGBT+ services. Almost half of respondents (47%) said that they have not used those services.

Although there were no direct questions asking why people did not engage with LGBT+ services, the comments left by respondents explained some of the reasons why this may be the case.

One reason given was that, despite biphobia generally decreasing, incidents are still happening within LGBT+ spaces. In the 35 comments in the question specifically asking about biphobia in LGBT+ services, there were 14 mentions of recent biphobic incidents in LGBT+ spaces/services:

“I occasionally struggle a little with not feeling “queer enough” for LGBT+ spaces, especially not currently being in a relationship of any kind.”

“If you’re part of the LGBT community, people looking in will just see you as gay so either way I’m not seen. In the end I feel I’m stuck between two worlds.”

A further 6 comments have indicated that biphobia and/or erasure experienced in the past had put them off using some LGBT+ services, with some people no longer trusting these types of organisations due to previous issues:

“The only time I used LGBT services (…) was in the dark old days of Gay Lib who refused to acknowledge the existence of bi people. I never bothered again as that was the only time I experienced open hostility about my sexuality. I know other bi people in their 50s who tell similar tales of prejudice from the gay community in the 80s and 90s.”

“Got fed up of biphobia in LGBT events over 5 years ago so I limit myself mainly to bi specific events.”