Biphobia
Bisexual individuals, while included under the LGBT acronym, are often discriminated against by both heterosexuals and homosexuals. The fear of or alienation from bisexuals is known as biphobia. Among the stereotypes about bisexuals are that they are confused, promiscuous, or swingers. Many people blame bi individuals for spreading sexual transmitted diseases, between the heterosexual and homosexual scenes.
Homosexuals often think that people who claim they are bisexuals are just confused or in denial. When most people hear that an individual is bisexual they assume the individual is gay and is not ready to admit it. Even when a bisexual individual is in a relationship with someone of the same sex, the bi considers himself or herself a bisexual in a homosexual relationship, while others may call the person gay or lesbian. Also most homosexuals in a relationship with bisexual individuals fear that they will leave them for the opposite sex.
Heterosexuals in a relationship with a bisexual often worry their partner will cheat on them and contract a sexually transmitted disease such as HIV. Lots of individuals assume that a bisexual person will have sex with anyone and is therefore more likely to be sexually promiscuous.
People who beileve that there are only two orientations, homosexual and heterosexual, may lump biphobia and homophobia together. Part of the phobia of bisexuals is tied to homophobia because of the thought that they are gender nonconformists.
Promiscuity is a large concern of biphobic people. Many bisexuals feel romantically attracted to one gender while sexually attracted to another. Because of this, some bisexuals may feel the need to keep open relationships or even cheat on a partner, but not all bisexuals cheat. Some believe that if they are dating a bisexual person they will be able to convince them to have a threesome or orgy. Just because someone is bisexual does not mean that they are into group sex.
There are a few different scales of homosexuality, such as Kinsey's scale that defines zero as totally heterosexual and six as exclusively homosexual leaving the whole range in between that could be considered bisexual. Also closely tied to biphobia, is pansexuality, where a person can be attracted to someone whether they are male, female, transgender, or any other sex/gender identity.
Added 9/25/07