In a continuing series exploring LGBTQ+ topics during Pride Month, KHTS interviewed several members of the local queer community about bisexuality and bi-visibility.
Despite being a recognized term in the English dictionary since 1892, those who identify as bisexual still face rejection and stigmatization, sometimes even from within the LGBTQ+ community.
“You want to be able to find a place but you feel like you can’t belong in either place with biphobia,” said Kaitlyn Lavo, a writer and photographer. “I usually just say I’m gay because that’s just an umbrella term and then no one will question anything, which then invalidates the whole process of being bisexual at that point.”
As of 2021, 3.1% of US adults identify as bisexual. Younger adults are even more likely to identify this way, with 5.1% of millennials and 11.5% of Gen Z adults reporting that they are bisexual, according to results of a recent poll by Gallup, a global analytics firm.
“There’s this idea that bi people are only queer when they’re in queer relationships or you’re only ‘bi enough’ if you’ve been in a certain amount of queer relationships,” said Jake Brewer, a student. “It’s really important to create safe spaces even when you’re not aware that any queer people are there — because they are.”
See Related: Members Of The Santa Clarita LGBTQ+ Community Discuss Coming Out
Even as the number of people in the US who identify as bisexual increases, bisexuality continues to be disregarded, ignored, or disbelieved, to the detriment of those who identify as such.
People just don’t think it exists, but it’s a real thing, it’s a real feeling,” said Nicole Montaño, a student. “Just because at the moment or even if I’m never with another person of the same sex does not mean I’m not bisexual anymore, it just means that I found that one person that I love.
Almost half of bisexual youth seriously considered suicide between 2018 and 2019, and approximately 66% of these young people reported feeling sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in a row in the past year, compared to 27% of their heterosexual and 49% of their gay or lesbian peers, according to research from The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s called L-G-B-T-Q-Plus for a reason,” Montaño said. “The B is there. Do not forget the B.”
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment