Biphobia

Biphobia is a term used to describe hatred felt towards bisexuality and bisexuals as an individuals or social group. People of any sexual point of reference can experience such feeling of aversion (hatred). A source of inequality against bisexuals, biphobia is based on negative bisexual stereotypes and bisexual removal.  Biphobia is a portmanteau word ornate on the term homophobia. It is derived from English neo-classical prefix bi-(meaning two) from bisexual and the root- phobia (from the Greek: phobos “fear”) found in homophobia. Along with transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia are members of the family of terms used when narrow-mindedness and inequality is directed towards LGBT people.

Two classifications of negative type stereotypes of bisexuals

They are denialism and promiscuity.

Denialism

There is a belief that bisexuality does not have branches from binary views of sexuality: a heterosexist view or a monosexist view. In the first view, people are recognized to be attracted to the opposite sex and it is sometimes reasoned that only heterosexuality exists. Therefore, bisexuality, like homosexuality, is not a valid sexuality. In the second view, people are either completely homosexual (gay/lesbian), exclusively heterosexual (straight), secret homosexual people who wish to come out heterosexual, heterosexuals who are experimenting with their sexuality, or cannot be bisexual unless they are equally attracted to both sexes. Saying, such as People are gay, straight or lying, exemplify this dichotomous view of sexual orientations.

Resulting negative stereotypes represent bisexuals as confused, insecure, experimenting or "just going through a part". Attractions toward both sexes are well thought-out fashionable as in "bisexual chic". Either homosexual or heterosexual relations are dismissed as alternate for sex with members of the "right" sex or as a more available source of sexual satisfaction.

Promiscuity

Classifying all bisexuals as being immoral is a hasty generalization, having more than one sexual partner in one life is not restricted to bisexuals. People of any sexual orientation can change partners, practice serial monogamy or can have multiple casual sex partners. The stringent association of bisexuality with promiscuity stems from a variety of negative typecast targeting bisexuals as, mentally or socially unstable people convinced that sexual relations only with men, only with women or only with one person is not enough. As a result bisexuals put up with a social dishonor from blame of cheating on or betraying their partners, leading a double life, being "on the down-low", and spreading sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The study and the New York Times article which represented in 2005, were consequently criticized as faulty and Biphobic. The adjectival form biphobic is used to describe things or qualities related to biphobia.

Questions:

• What is Biphobia?
• Explain two classifications of negative type stereotypes of bisexuals?