Heterosexual and homosexual people, along with bisexual people who are not open or honest about their sexuality, can all contribute to bi-erasure. Bi-erasure can be fueled by biphobia or be unintentional.
Bi-erasure is short for bisexual erasure. It is also sometimes called bisexual invisibility.
More About Bi-Erasure
Bi-erasure can occur for many reasons. Some people believe bisexuality is simply a phase people enter when they’re trying to determine whether they’re really straight or gay. Others understand bisexuality, but feel a person’s bisexual status becomes irrelevant once they start dating. Bisexuality effectively becomes erased in these circumstances when the bisexual person loses their sexual identity and becomes part of a heterosexual or homosexual couple.
Bi-erasure can make bisexual people feel misunderstood, depressed, anxious, and socially isolated. It also reduces the number of resources and support systems available to bisexual people within their communities. Bi-erasure can negatively impact the physical and emotional health and financial well being of bisexual people.
Members of society, regardless of their sexuality, can combat bi-erasure by speaking up about bisexuality and advocating for fair treatment and representation of bisexual people.