Bisexual erasure or bisexual invisibility is a pervasive problem in which the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality (either in general or in regard to an individual) is questioned or denied outright.
For example, referring to two married women as a "lesbian couple" without considering that one or both women identifies as bi. Others may insist that she can’t really be bisexual, her orientation doesn’t matter, or her bisexual identity shouldn't be mentioned now that she is partnered. Considering a bisexual person either gay or straight depending on the sex of the person's partner, or calling bisexuals "allies" to the LGBT community, are also forms of bi erasure. Undermining the validity of bisexuality by calling it a "phase" or "confusion" is also an act of erasure. Bisexual erasure plays a critical role in reducing the community's visibility, and in turn reducing access to the resources and support opportunities bisexual people so desperately need.
Bisexual erasure or bisexual invisibility is a pervasive problem in which the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality (either in general or in regard to an individual) is questioned or denied outright.
For example, referring to two married women as a "lesbian couple" without considering that one or both women identifies as bi. Others may insist that she can’t really be bisexual, her orientation doesn’t matter, or her bisexual identity shouldn't be mentioned now that she is partnered. Considering a bisexual person either gay or straight depending on the sex of the person's partner, or calling bisexuals "allies" to the LGBT community, are also forms of bi erasure. Undermining the validity of bisexuality by calling it a "phase" or "confusion" is also an act of erasure. Bisexual erasure plays a critical role in reducing the community's visibility, and in turn reducing access to the resources and support opportunities bisexual people so desperately need.
(Graphic credit: Bisexual Resource Center)
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