Issues Impacting Bisexual Individuals

The number of people in the United States who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community is growing. According to a recent Gallup poll update, 7.6% of adults polled identified as LGBTQ+. The percentage has increased from 7.1% in 2022 and may continue to rise as more Gen Z individuals reach adulthood.

Diversity is undeniable within the LGBTQ+ community, but the unique issues and needs of individuals within the larger group have not always been recognized. This has begun to change in recent years. Professionals and researchers have started to focus attention on specific groups within the community. For example, studies in the past several years have shed light on particular challenges for bisexual individuals. That’s where we’re aiming our gaze today.

First, let’s get clear on what we mean when we use the term, bisexual. According to Feinstein & Dyer (2017), bisexuality is defined as, “the capacity for emotional, romantic, and/or physical attraction to more than one sex or gender.” They also noted, “that capacity for attraction may or may not manifest itself in terms of sexual interaction.”

According to the Gallup poll update mentioned previously, 4.4% of adults identify as bisexual; that’s 57.3% of the LGBTQ+ community.

Social scientists have known that people who identify as LGBTQ+ suffer from both external and internalized stigma and discrimination due to their sexual minority status. The host of life issues related to stigma and discrimination have also been studied, and the positive impact of social support and community ties is well-documented. One of the best things about the LGBTQ+ community is that it IS a community; it gives many people a sense of belonging that may not be readily available in the outside culture. Unfortunately, this isn’t true for everybody. Bisexual individuals experience stigma and discrimination from the outside culture, but it doesn’t stop there. They may also experience discrimination and stigma from within the LGBTQ+ community. Bisexuality can be met with distrust and fear (biphobia), and it may be labeled as a temporary or even illegitimate phase (bi-erasure). Further, while gay and lesbian people often report that they receive support from their romantic partners, this isn’t always true for bisexual individuals where distrust related to stigma can materialize.

Anti-bisexual discrimination (biphobia, bi-erasure, mono- and hetero-sexism) is related to internalized stigma. Bisexual people take in the messages they hear and experience from the outside (individuals, communities, organizations, and society), and those messages can become damaging beliefs that are difficult to break. Internalized stigma has been connected to identity uncertainty and concealment. Community connection and support are also negatively impacted.

With all of these things in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many bisexual people struggle with mental health issues. The energy it takes to move in the world when stigma and discrimination are not just aimed at you but living inside of you is immense. To call it stressful is likely an understatement. Add a lack of support or perceived support and the potential for devastating problems is multiplied.

Like others in the LGBTQ+ community, bisexual individuals are at higher risk for mental health issues than the general population, but that isn’t all the information. Recent scholarly studies and reviews indicate that bisexual people are at a higher risk for mental health disorders across all categories than gay men and lesbian women. Bisexual people may struggle with:

• Depression and other mood disorders
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders
• Risky sexual behaviors
• Identity insecurity
• Self-harm
• Suicidality

Not all individuals who identify as bisexual will experience the mental health issues listed above. Some will have strong support systems and will have already developed healthy coping skills that they can rely on when things do get hard. Unfortunately, many will encounter and struggle with discrimination and stigma and lack much-needed community support. Fortunately, there are people and organizations out there to help. The Bisexual Resource Center offers a wealth of information and resources for bisexual individuals and their allies. If you are looking to connect with a professional, the GLMA and NALGAP directories may be useful starting points; both have long histories of helping the LGBTQ+ community. Finally, if you or someone you care about is struggling with their mental health, we’re here to help. You can contact us here at Luna Recovery Services by calling 888-448-LUNA.