Last week saw the launch of The Bisexuality Report. A unique piece of work that “summarises national and international evidence and draws out recommendations for future bisexual inclusion in many different settings. Bisexual people are indeed often invisible in policy and practice despite evidence that they experience discrimination in education and in the workplace and are more at risk of mental health problems than lesbian, gay, or heterosexual people. Bisexual people are subject to a specific form of discrimination – Biphobia – because they do not fit a problematic gay/straight model of sexuality”.
Biphobia and bi-invisibility remains a major problem within many areas, as the report outlines. But particularly is an issue within sex research, education and therapy. Global research on sexualities continues to struggle with studies, communities, and healthcare providers that ignore or demonise bisexuality (especially in men). It remains a challenge to get a platform to sensitively address this topic, or even acknowledge bisexuality exists.
The report is a collaborative venture, led by Dr Meg Barker who has been studying bisexuality for many years. If you’re a practitioner or have a personal interest in bisexuality (or both) you may find biuk.org helpful (and this year’s BiCon, BiFest and BiReCon – information available via the ‘events’ section of the website).
If your work involves addressing sex and sexuality – be it in therapy, education, or health and social care please do take the time to read, reflect upon, and share the report. Noting the general and specific professional recommendations. It is an important step in addressing a much neglected area in sexualities.
And on a (slightly) related note*, if you’re an academic who is working using queer theory, or identifies as queer, or has a critical view of sexualities theory and research you may wish to participate in Queer Academia. This project aims to address “limited representations of queerness that exist in academia, both relating to who queer people are and what issues queer people confront and experience” – a viewpoint that may resonate with many of us.
Both of these ventures are well worth your while to engage with – please share widely!
*acknowledging not everyone who identifies as bi sees themselves as queer (and vice versa).
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