Open Forum: The Bisexual/Bi-Racial Overlap

Society tends to see things in black or white and often does not see shades of gray. Differences challenge us to open our minds and see that most things and people are not an absolute but simply fall into some shade or variation of whatever attribute we happen to be discussing at the time.

I see an overlap between bisexual and bi-racial people who probably know all too well what it is to not fall into societies neatly arranged categories of self identification. For bi-racial people many struggle with being stuck between two races and cultures. They are plagued by a society forcing them to choose one identity or the other but seldom allowing them to be who they are which is indeed a bit of both. Even if they do self-identify more with one identity, people often look at that person as a wannabe and not truly part of the race and/or culture. This creates a no-win proposition for bi-racial individuals and families.

Bisexual people face a similar struggle. Most bisexuals fall on a continuum of attraction towards men and women, some leaning more to the gay side and others more to the straight side. It creates a struggle for self-identification because if they label themselves straight, they are lying and if discovered will be considered a deviant. If they label themselves gay and then date someone of the opposite sex they are considered a traitor and confused about their sexuality. This creates a dilemma for the bisexual to accurately self-identify as who they are.

Do you see a parallel between bisexuality and bi-racial issues when it comes to identity formation?

BECAUSE 2009 - April 17-19, 2009; Minneapolis, MN

Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience (BECAUSE) 2009 - April 17-19, 2009; Minneapolis, MN.

BECAUSE Conference is the premier weekend event in the Midwest for bisexuals, queers, trans, bi-curious, questioning, and all others, regardless of identity.

This conference is open to everyone! Register today and bring a friend!

Date: April 17-19, 2009

Time:
Friday - 6:30pm -- Registration begins
7:00pm -- Keynote Speaker

Saturday - 8:30am -- Registration opens
9:00am - 5:00pm -- Workshops
7:00pm - midnight -- Entertainment/Social

Sunday - noon -- Informal pay-as-you-go lunch gathering

Location:
Coffman Union
University of Minnesota
300 Washington Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Register today at http://www.becauseconference.org/

E! Online Makes Mockery Out of Bisexuality!

E! Online has posted an offensive and biphobic article titled "Polling All Body Parts" which questions Lindsay Lohan's sexual orientation and paints an ugly picture of bisexuality.

"Say it ain’t so. Could Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson’s “special” relaysh already be on the fritz? It’s only a matter of time before L.L. retreats back and finds comfort in her fave male body part. ‘Course, we’ve been warning this one since that gal went all lesbyterian, anyway, but makes us wonder..."

They are asking readers to vote on whether bisexuality is a legitimate orientation. The poll which is titled "Bi Now, Gay Later" has the following options:

"*Not a chance, it's a stop on the way to homoville.

*Sure, I'm a little Anne Heche. I've experimented with both sexes.

*Angelina Jolie dabbled with a woman and found her way to Brad Pitt. Works for me."

All of the above choices are offensive and not characteristic of bisexuality.

This article makes a joke and a mockery out of bisexuality. Please take a moment to contact E! Online through their "Polling All Body Parts" article. Just scroll down to contact at the bottom of the page.

Word of the Gay: "Bi-phobia"

"Bi-phobia" is very common among the gay and straight communities who often misunderstand and fear bisexuality. "Bi-phobia" is a fear and condemnation of bisexuality and people of the orientation. Common "bi-phobic" assumptions are that people who are bisexual are "confused", "selfish", "hedonistic", and/or "promiscuous". Many people are under the false impression that bisexuals cannot remain monogamous, and that they date multiple partners and cannot remain faithful.