for this bi visibility day, i’d really like for us to have a conversation about the dangers bisexual people face, specifically young bi girls.
61% of bi women face rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner; meaning that well over half of bi women are experiencing abuse in their relationships. X X X
46% of bi women have been raped, compared to 17% of heterosexual women and 13% of lesbians. bisexual women are the victims of rape at almost 3x the average rate for other women. X X X
74.9% of bisexual women have reported sexual assault other than rape in their lifetime. X X X
nearly half (48%) of the bi women who have been raped, experience their *first* rape between the ages of 11 and 17. X X
bisexual youths have a 17-18% failure to graduate high school rate, compared to 4-9% for other gay youth. X
bi youth are at higher risks of substance abuse, and bisexuals are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual counterparts (gays and lesbians are 2x more likely.) X X
almsot 40% of bisexual adults have attempted suicide, compared to 25% of gays and lesbians. X X
only 5% of bi youth report feeling “very happy” with their lives. X X
only 44% of bi youth say they have an adult they can turn to. X X
we need to do more to reach out to young bisexuals, specifically bi girls, trans bi youth, and bi children of color.
we need more organizations in middle schools and high schools that reach out specifically towards bisexual youths, that deal specifically with the biphobic violence and discrimination they face. we need to create spaces where bisexual children feel comfortable coming forward and speaking about their trauma, so they can begin to cope and heal in an accepting environment.
the issues bisexual people face in their youth will follow them into adulthood. their trauma results in higher rates of mood disorders, higher rates of poverty and substance abuse, higher suicide rates, and higher rates of homelessness.
14% of Americans do not believe that bisexuality is a legitimate sexual orientation, and yet bi women are facing an epidemic of abuse with so few actually reporting on it.
we, as a community, need to be conscious of the issues facing some of our most vulnerable members and we need to work towards bringing more public knowledge and awareness to them.