I actually understand where you’re coming from and I definitely agree with your assessment…I think it would serve as an injustice to show just one side of the spectrum (not to mention kind of boring). As a fellow black woman, I’ve seen enough negative stereotyping and preconceived notions from others about race, gender, sexuality, etc. to last a lifetime so I do get kind of touchy and moody when I feel that something is “making us look bad”…Same goes for the image of the bisexual woman. Sensitive stuff indeed…

Thanks for creating this website! I look forward to visiting often and seeing it grow, and chatting with you again!

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Yes, and I agree with you 100 percent, which is why Bi Social Network exist. But… I can’t report, we can not just show one side of the coin, because the other do exist! You can’t say show only the one part that hasn’t been seen without showing the other parts of it too. I’m a black woman, I know all too well how sides play up in media, but it’s there, and has to be shown, our job as a Bi Social Network interactive blog is to balance the other sides as well as show the naughty bits too. We are happy you are passion about this topic, we welcome all feedback and points of view! Yeah! Make your point, we want to see it!

However, I do feel that since the general public only gets to see recreational, hedonistic & “barsexual” people, they get a very narrow, one-sided view on bisexuality, which I feel can do more harm than good (and quite ironic since the majority of the people in these groups tend to self-identify as heterosexual [or rarely ID as bisexual &/or queer]).

Yes, you are right…There are always going to be people that are going to have their prejudices and beliefs, but I feel that wide representation of the masses a great tool for helping those who may be closeted, feeling confused or ashamed of themselves be proud of who they are as well as shattering negative stereotypes.

I know of so many bisexual people out there who are confused & ashamed of who they are & don’t want to openly identify themselves as bi because of the stigma it comes with. It’s not simply an “us vs. them” issue cos lets face it, every community in the world has divisions. To me, it’s a matter of wanting to be seen as individuals rather than grouped into stereotype that one may or may not identify with…It’s about having a well-rounded picture of bisexuality so that most bi men, women and youth can see a face, an image that they identify with and have that comfort that yes, their sexuality is real. At the end of the day I could care less what grown people do for fun. However I do care about making a safe & supportive environment for bi people from all walks of life to be out & proud of who they are.

I was in a bar on New Years where everyone was present but I made sure folks knew I was bi, one person even stated, yes, we know you are bi, but that’s your problem, why announce it? Why the hell not! Gays and Lesbians, sing it high and low, “I’m Queer, I’m gay, get use to it!” We need to start doing the same, party bisexual, which is called

Hedonistic bisexuals:
primarily straight or gay/lesbian but will sometimes have sex with another gender primarily for fun or purely sexual satisfaction.

Recreational bisexuals:
primarily heterosexual but engage in gay or lesbian sex only when under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

or just the simple variety, we are still apart of the community.

Also- lot of lesbians, gay men and heterosexuals buy into the stereotype mostly cos of past negative experiences from dealing with a bi person (be it their own, a relative’s or a BFF’s). Unfortunately, since there isn’t a wide representation of bisexuals in the media (or in general), many people only go by what they see & know…We humans can be lazy like that.

Adrienne,
Founder, BSN

Personally, I think it’s why Kinsey needed to come up with the Kinsey Scale in the first place (as you pointed out). How far someone’s orientation leans one way or another is incredibly personal, and can’t be generalized. If someone’s just having fun, I say more power to them. I think in the long run it’s just creating a more tolerant atmosphere. (Now if only we could get it to work that way for guys with guys.)

As to perpetuating negative stereotypes, I feel if someone’s going to buy into those stereotypes they’re going to do it irregardless. Creating another label seems to me to be more of a case of creating yet another “us” and “them”– the “true” bisexuals vs the “fake” bisexuals, as opposed to just saying they’re a Kinsey 1. Or even a Kinsey 0.5.