What Makes Bisexual Health Different from Gay Health?

This month we’re honoring Bisexual Health Awareness Month and we’re spreading the word that bisexuals deserve improved access to tailored healthcare! According to last month’s Gallup poll, 58.2% of the LGBT population identify as bisexual, but we do too little to address the needs of this community. If you’re wondering how the health needs of bisexual people are different from their straight or gay counterparts, you’ve come to the right place!  

What Makes Bisexual Health Different from Straight or Gay Health

Gay and heterosexual individuals are typically romantically and/or sexually attracted to people of one gender, but bisexuals have the capacity to be attracted to more than one gender, which is a different lived experience. A bisexual person is often assumed to be either straight or gay if they’re in a relationship with a person of the same or a different gender, but a bisexual person can still maintain the capacity to feel attraction towards other genders. This can create stereotypes that bisexuals are “greedy” or promiscuous, stereotypes that both gay and straight communities perpetuate. 

The unique stigma against bisexuals also correlates with higher levels of smoking that contribute to physical diseases. Bisexual individuals face higher rates of poorer health, from obesity and arthritis, to depression and sexually transmitted infections from their straight and gay counterparts. Many factors contribute to these disparities, but biphobia is a barrier that prevents many bisexuals from accessing adequate healthcare. A study found only 33% of bisexual individuals are comfortable disclosing their orientation to healthcare providers, citing biphobia and negative experiences in past healthcare settings. 

Why are Bisexual Individuals More Likely to Struggle with Mental Health?

Bisexual people report stigma, harassment, and discrimination from both straight and gay communities, resulting in feelings of exclusion and alienation. The stereotypes associated with bisexuality of being indecisive and “confused” about choosing a sexuality can complicate coming out to friends and family who may delegitimize their identity. Some feel a pressure to conform to a binary orientation, and negate their own identity and self in the process. As a result, bisexual people are more vulnerable to high rates of binge drinking, anxiety, depression, and suicide. 

A 2015 study found that 56% of bisexual women and 37% of bisexual men reported intimate partner violence in their lifetime. This may be due to isolation, biphobia, and concealed identity that places them in a more vulnerable position. The lack of social support from the home, healthcare, or the community at large leaves bisexual people in a crosshairs of higher likelihood of mental health issues that can be solved through awareness and inclusive care. 

How do the Intersections of Gender, Race, and Class Play into Bisexual Health? 

It’s necessary to consider the intersections of identity within each person so we can reduce health disparities by supporting community-based, affordable, and culturally sensitive health services led by and for intersectional communities. For example, among women between ages 18-34, 23% of Black women identify as bisexual, a higher rate than white women (10%), so when we advocate for bisexual health, we can simultaneously advocate for Black health. By promoting social support networks that may center or prioritize other aspects of one’s identity, we can create compassionate networks that bloom like a healthy, diverse garden.

How Else can I Support Bisexual Health?

Education is an important step in understanding the barriers that bisexual individuals may face in accessing adequate healthcare. Lucky for you, you’ve already started by reading this article! You can also support local and national bisexual organizations and initiatives through donations, volunteering, or sharing resources and events with your social networks. By advocating for inclusive healthcare supporting bisexual folks, you increase the demand for better systems that can care for us all.