Did you know that Bisexual+ people face worse health, social, and economic outcomes compared to their Gay, Lesbian, and hetero counterparts? These challenging experiences often go understudied or unaddressed. But in recent years more Queer organizations are spreading the word about the topic and ways people can be of support.

The Bisexual+ community encompasses those who are Bisexual, Pansexual, Omnisexual, Biromantic, Polysexual, or sexually fluid.

"Bisexual+ people frequently experience high rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and even chronic health conditions like heart disease — but they receive only a tiny fraction of LGBTQ+ funding and services," Seattle's LGBTQ Center, formerly Gay City, announced on social media.

Gallup released a study in February in which researchers interviewed about 900 LGBTQ+ people, of which 56% said they were Bisexual. Transgender people and People of Color make up a large portion of the Bisexual community, according to the Human Rights Campaign's report, "Health Disparities Among Bisexual People." About 40% of LGBTQ+ People of Color and about half of Trans people identify as Bi, but these intersections also put them at risk for harm.

When compared to the general population of US women, Bi women face sometimes life-threatening health complications, like breast cancer and heart disease, because they are less likely to receive preventative care.

"While a variety of factors contribute to these disparities, research suggests that experiencing biphobia may discourage bisexual women from accessing healthcare," according to the HRC. "Negative experiences in healthcare settings can lead bisexual people to delay healthcare visits, change healthcare providers, avoid disclosing their sexuality in subsequent interactions with providers, and rely on internet sources rather than a doctor for health information."

Thirty-nine percent of Bisexual men and 33% of Bi women reported that they chose not to disclose their sexual orientation to any medical provider, compared to 13% of Gays and 10% of Lesbians.

HRC Bisexual+ health data
Bisexual people are at greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges due to stigmas, such as "bisexuality doesn't exist as an orientation," "bisexuals are confused," or "bisexuals are sexually promiscuous."

According to the HRC, "Several studies have found that heterosexual, gay, and lesbian individuals may all have negative attitudes toward bisexuality, indicating that bisexual individuals face double discrimination."

Bisexual adults are more likely to self-harm, experience suicidal ideation, or attempt suicide in comparison to non-Bisexuals. Bi women have double the rates of eating disorders as Lesbians, and higher rates of substance use in comparison to heterosexual women.

"Bisexual women face lower levels of social support and quality of life than heterosexual or lesbian women, and also report the lowest levels of emotional well-being, which can lead to tragic consequences," stated the HRC. "Bisexual adults were three times as likely to report thoughts of suicide than heterosexual adults."

Bi men are disproportionately impacted by HIV, as biphobia discourages them from coming out and being tested. The HRC said that Bi erasure and Bi invisibility add to the lack of Bi-related or inclusive resources and health access.

Ways to spread awareness
The HRC stated that there is a pressing need for Bisexual-specific outreach and education conducted by sexual health advocates, in addition to having gender diverse medical intake forms and refusing to jump to conclusions about one's sexual orientation based on their sexual history. It also suggests using inclusive language, avoiding and calling out biphobia, and sharing resources about disparities.

"We push for better research, demand more funding for bisexual+ organizations, and call out biphobia when we see it. Health equity for bisexual+ people starts with visibility, advocacy, and action," Seattle's LGBTQ Center said.