#LGBTQSTEREOTYPES

[enolabar]

Identifying as Bisexual in 2025 highlights the interwoven realities of bisexuality and stigma faced by many within the LGBTQ+ community. Despite growing efforts toward inclusivity, bisexual individuals often encounter ignorance and prejudice, both externally and within their own circles. It's crucial to address the negative effects of this stigma and work collectively towards its eradication. Understanding the Stigma Around Bisexuality Bisexual individuals frequently experience marginalization due to entrenched misconceptions about their sexuality. Some of the common stereotypes suggest that bisexuals are inherently promiscuous or incapable of maintaining monogamous relationships. These damaging narratives can make bisexual individuals feel like outsiders both in heteronormative circles and within the LGBTQ+ community. Personal Experiences of Biphobia I relate personally to these struggles as someone who identifies as pansexual. My journey has been fraught with encounters of ignorance and discrimination. One particularly concerning incident unfolded during a therapy session earlier this year. Despite my therapist being instrumental in managing my depression and anxiety, her reaction to my pansexuality was far from supportive. She suggested that I avoid labeling myself due to perceived societal negativity towards bisexuality, which felt invalidating and dismissive of my identity. Such encounters perpetuate a climate of misunderstanding and stigma that could easily deter anyone from openly sharing their truth with others, let alone those expected to provide support. The Impact of Negative Stereotypes The pervasive negative stereotypes about bisexuality contribute significantly to mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Seeing these unfounded assumptions reiterated in media and personal interactions can be disheartening. It's disheartening to witness this lack of support from both societal norms and potential allies within the LGBTQ+ community. Despite being in a committed, monogamous relationship for four years, damaging stereotypes still imbue a sense of doubt about my capacity for fidelity. Even within the LGBTQ+ community, acceptance isn't guaranteed, as some categorize bisexuals unfairly, hindering relationships and contributing to feelings of isolation. Steps Towards Eradicating the Stigma Encouragingly, an increasing number of voices are challenging these misconceptions about bisexuality. Public figures like Alan Cumming openly embracing their bisexual identity provides visibility and fosters inclusiveness. Despite societal assumptions pegging Cumming as gay due to his marriage to a man, his stance challenges the binary thinking surrounding sexual orientation. His advocacy underscores the imperative need for greater understanding and acceptance, not just within society at large but also within the LGBTQ+ community. For bisexual individuals, self-acceptance and pride in one's identity are crucial for personal well-being and societal change. Living authentically and rejecting the notion of hiding one's sexuality paves the way for a more inclusive society. Acknowledgment and advocacy for bisexual rights and recognition can eliminate stigma, opening paths for richer and more supportive community bonds.

[a-room-of-her-own]

"But you will look like a boy"

So recently, I’ve been wondering what to do with my hair and I’ve come to the realisation that I’m actually not happy with long hair at all. I have been considering getting a short cut, probably a pixie style or a short back and sides kind of look.

However, on asking various friends and my twin sister about this latest idea, I was presented with some rather negative/ignorant views which actually astounded me a little. It made me think about society’s views on gender and stereotypes associated with these gender binaries. I was told my by sister; “oh but you’ll look like a boy" and “you will look like more of a lesbian", as though these are undesirable to look like.

Now I’ve never had any issues with my gender. But what I do not subscribe to is the view that if you’re a woman, you should act and dress a particular way. I’ve always been a bit androgynous in the way that I dress, but does the fact that I don’t like to wear dresses and want to have my hair cut short make me any less of a woman? Theoretically, no of course it doesn’t. However, in the eyes of society as a whole, it seems to be frowned upon to adopt the traits of the opposite gender. These attitudes I find particularly infuriating as people should have the the freedom to express themselves and their gender as they feel comfortable to do so, without facing the bigoted views of people who can only see the gender binary and nothing in between.

While I hold this view on not conforming to gender stereotypes, I feel differently about conforming to lgbtq stereotypes. Although on the one hand, conforming to certain lgbtq stereotypes is negative as it consolidates heterosexual beliefs on how they think all lgbtq people are, I also believe that it is important as a gay person not to try and deliberately avoid conforming to a certain stereotype. Stereotypes are for some people a very positive thing which help them come to terms with who they are as a person and their sexuality. What i do not agree with, is being told by others that certain decisions i make are solely to make myself come across as "more gay", as though being too gay is a bad thing. If I want to cut my hair short, I'll do so. Not to define my sexuality, or "prove" i'm a lesbian or to look like a boy. I will do it because I want to. And hey, if I did want to do it to look like a more stereotypical lesbian, that should be ok too.