Increased knowledge and understanding
Increased knowledge was the most frequently requested measure for improving bi+ inclusion in services, with 40% of all comments mentioning one or more ways to do so. Most of these specified increased awareness, education, and training:
“More LGBT+ education for service providers and potentially better screening for harmful attitudes within the staff, especially within the sexual health service. These people should be informed and respectful as they deal with sensitive issues and many different kinds of people. There is no excuse for [service providers] to be ignorant or judgemental on the basis of sexuality or anything else.”
“I chose my GP specifically because I had heard that they were LGBTQ+ friendly. I wouldn’t have the same confidence with just any doctor.”
- Services need to provide comprehensive training to staff members to increase their understanding and awareness of bisexuality and the experiences of bi+ individuals. This can help develop a more inclusive and supportive environment for bi+ individuals accessing these services.
- Services should promote awareness and understanding of bisexuality through educational campaigns and resources. This can help challenge stereotypes, reduce biphobia, and build a more inclusive and accepting society. Suggestions for training are available in the “resources” section of this report.
- Services should normalise bisexuality, and/or openly acknowledge it as a valid sexuality. This was mentioned by 15% of respondents. Acknowledging that “we are real and existing” and that “sexuality isn’t binary” was felt to be valuable. This includes the understanding that being bi+ is not a ‘half-way’ road towards being gay or lesbian, and that bi+ people are not ‘half-straight/half-gay’.
A related issue was understanding that being in a relationship does not change someone’s bi+ identity. In other words, bi+ people who are in same-sex relationships do not become gay, and those in mixed-sex relationships do not become straight. Talking about ‘gay couples’ or ‘straight couples’ without knowing the sexual orientation of the people involved can become erasing of bi+ people’s experiences.
“Explicit acknowledgement that bi+ folks exist and are welcome would be at least a start. I’ve not experienced biphobia, but I have little doubt that that is because I’ve been too afraid to not ‘pass’ as straight in mainstream services.”
“We need visibility. I am in a straight monogamous marriage but still definitely bi. This is totally unseen and there is total ignorance around it.”
“Acknowledge that Bisexuality exists and that a person in a straight-presenting relationship may not be straight, but Bi/Pan.”
- When engaging in discussions about sexuality with staff, volunteers, or service users, it is important to ensure the inclusion of all sexual orientations without attaching any value judgments. Acknowledge the rich spectrum of sexual orientations, specifically addressing bisexuality.
- When including bisexual people, services should remember that their experiences will not always be the same as lesbian or gay people. For example, a sexual health service should explicitly provide advice on all forms of sexual activities that people might engage in to all their service users.
