Bisexual Rights vs Gay/Lesbian Rights

[tenni]

I am bringing this discussion over from another thread as it is not on topic of the other thread.


What rights do you see that bisexuals need that gays and lesbians do not need?





The right for bisexuals to chose who they share/disclose their sexuality without discrimination from Gays and Lesbians.





Bisexual representation on GLBT organizations' Boards in proportion to the dominate numbers of bisexuals compared to Gays and Lesbians?





Support programmes specifically for bisexuals within GLBT organizations and therefore acknowledging that there is a difference between monosexuals and bisexuals.





More LGBT organizational programming for bisexual women who are at the greatest risk of depression and suicide?(followed by bisexual men..then much smaller percentages of gays and lesbians today)





Meeting spaces away from the GLBT organization buildings for bisexual men who are often initially uncomfortable going to these organizations?



Others?


Your thoughts?

[elian]

Hi Tenni,

I know this is a topic that a lot of folks are very passionate about. I start from the basis that rights for any minority group that is a minority for an in-born trait such as skin color, gender or who you choose to love eventually benefit society as a whole - because it does not directly affect the population in a harmful way and it makes us more compassionate people. Some people will say, "But being a homicidal killer is an in-born trait." All I can say is that I hope you can see the difference in promoting love.

Yes love, I know some people here get their panties in a bunch when I talk about being bisexual from the emotional aspect but what I am trying to do is convey to people who otherwise have no idea what it is like to be LGBT what it feels like to have such an innate drive and desire that even if you wanted to change it was very, very difficult if not impossible.

I guess maybe a more basic way would be to tell a straight guy, "imagine someone told you that you couldn't lust after women any more" - maybe then they would get it, but I doubt it.

Approaching it from the perspective of love gets straight people to think of something besides SEX when they think about GAYS. For me it ISN'T about the sex - I COULD keep it in my pants if I wanted to but it's very, very hard not to have feelings of love and attraction for other people. Either you have those feelings or you don't and it's not something easily controlled.

I get tired of people saying that bisexuals do not exist too, I get tired of people not taking me seriously or painting me with a big "?" on dating sites and being afraid to commit. The only "rights" I would like to have as a bisexual are to acknowledge that we exist and for people to understand that it's not as easy as "double your chances for a date on Saturday night".

That's pretty much it, otherwise I would much rather put the effort into fighting as a group for society to recognize that WHO YOU LOVE has no bearing on whether or not you are a moral, productive member that can contribute.

I hate getting lumped into a group where people assume that I'm more promiscuous just because I'm not straight, but all LGBT have that issue..it is assumed that we are perverts... I will admit that I am a pervert but only because I don't get enough sex, love and attention - it isn't because of WHO I love.

[The Young Pretender]

I will answer in the order of your bullets.

1. Personally, I am sick of my sexuality being painted as less than legitimate. I have encountered too many scenarios and gays/lesbians where being bi is dismissed. Then again, this is a problem that was referenced in the "Monosexual Privilege Checklist" thread earlier this month. Bi visibility is poor. This is where GLT has out grossly outgunned, and this problem affects our visibility with both the straight and queer communities. We can have visibility in a "New Queer Order" or invisibility to pass in today's world. Not both.

2. At this stage of the game, demands for bisexual numerical superiority on the boards of LGBT organisations are an exercise in absurdity. They've done the work for LGBT rights and earned their crowns.

3. This is long, long overdue.

4. I agree. I find the suicide rate for bisexual women profoundly disturbing.

5. Yeah. I'd add that a bi men's club be as non-threatening and as inclusive as possible.

I'll add:

6. The right of any queer person to declare their orientation without cynical scrutiny. This is no longer an issue for lesbians, gays, and transsexuals (to an extent), so why need to account for every god damned blowjob or tumble in the hay in order to legitimise their bisexuality.

7. Freedom from slut-shaming. Just because I am bisexual doesn't mean I'm Mary Magdalene and Elagabalus rolled into one.



I don't expect our rights to be granted out of any magnanimity. History shows that seldom happens. If we desire respect, we must speak as one and demand it.