I can’t confidently say that I know who I am, I can give my labels and a basic biography, but who am I really? I’m a half white and Mexican girl, though you can’t tell I’m anything but white unless my Mexican mother is present, but that’s neither here nor there. What has mattered most to me is in regards to my sexual orientation; and the discrimination that comes with it. I’m Bisexual, specifically  50/50 attraction ratio for me specifically, but everyone is different. To some, it may be 60/40, others 90/10, but they are Bisexual nonetheless. But with such variety and difference from the norm comes discrimination, from both Heterosexuals and Homosexuals. To both sides, it is commonly held that once a Bisexual enters a romantic relationship, they are no longer Bisexual; their identity is erased and replaced with a more common sexuality. An invalidation of sexual identification often leads to repression of said identification, and the discriminatory mindset so prevalent in the media. Bisexual representation is a rarity in today’s culture, the extent of LGBT representation only really reaching the L and G. Bisexuality is ignored as a legitimate sexuality, and continues to be painted as indecisive and sultry. Used only as plot tools and baiting, Bisexuality hasn’t been accurately represented and often leads to misconceptions in the real world.

The discrimination from both Heterosexuals and Homosexuals has heavily impacted Bisexuals, The American Journal of Public Health found that almost 60% of bisexual women had a mental health issue as a direct result of monosexism. Monosexism is defined as, “The belief that monosexuality (either exclusive heterosexuality and/or homosexuality) is superior to or more legitimate than a bisexual or other non-monosexual orientation.”  The effects of said biphobia lead not only to mental distress but physical safety. The FBI had released the Hate Crime Statistics report; 5,928 hate crime were reported. The overall safety of bisexual people is neither insured nor considered. The hatred Bisexuals face is alarming as is, but the reality becomes much worse after learning that there is no safe haven for Bisexuals. Too often, Bi youth are forced away from shelters. This partially due to the mindset that Homosexual couples do not face domestic abuse; many women are turned from abuse shelters due to the disbelief of women-on-women violence. Many Bi men cannot receive help from any shelters; as society does not believe a man could be a victim and believes that women could never be abusive. Many abused Bisexuals will not be helped, more likely hurt deeper by rejection and erasure.

So how can we be helped if we are viewed as too straight to be LGBT, but not straight enough to actually be heterosexual? How do receive any help if the media and popular TV shows portray Bisexuality as a phase or mild confusion? It questions like these that plague the minds of many Bisexuals. We don’t know if we'll ever be safe or accepted by the rest of the LGBT community or Heterosexuals. Unless that hopeful future arrives, many Bisexuals have to live in fear and rejection.