“Bisexuality doesn’t exist.” “Bisexuality is just closeted homosexuality.” “Bisexuals like both genders equally.”
The above sentiments have perpetuated the erasure of the letter ‘B’ (Bisexual) group within the LGBTQ+ community for a long time. Because no one’s voice should be silenced, in today’s #MYVOICEFOR, we sit down with ชลิตา “Noriko” เศรษฐชยานนท์, a 21-year-old graduate student from the Faculty of Arts, to discuss “bisexual erasure,” which refers to the tendency to question or deny the legitimacy of bisexuality as an identity.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, “Bisexuality” is defined as an individual who experiences emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to more than one gender or identity, not necessarily in equal proportions, and regardless of their own gender identity.
Bi-erasure refers to the erasure of the existence of bisexuality and denies the identity, potentially leading to Biphobia. Even today, there’s still erasure and distortion of this identity in society, misrepresentation of bisexual characters in media, and even questioning of bisexuals’ sexual orientation. It’s a cycle where bisexuals are labeled as confused about their sexuality only to eventually revert back to being recognized as bisexual or sometimes pressured to identify as either gay or straight.
“I want to raise awareness about bi-erasure as someone who identifies as bisexual. It’s not about having an equal attraction to both genders. I feel that this is something that many people in society don’t fully grasp. Most people assume it’s a 50-50 split, but it’s not always that simple.”
While society has become somewhat more open-minded, there’s still a lack of understanding towards bisexuality. “I don’t think it’s that different from heterosexuals who are attracted to the opposite gender. When I meet someone I’m attracted to, I realize that I have a preference for that type of person, not their gender.”
Do you have any experiences that make you feel incredibly proud and that you’d like to share this Pride Month?
“I had a ‘coming out’ experience with a certain group of friends. You know, ‘coming out’ doesn’t really change who we are; it’s more about the personal decision each of us makes. So, the first time I decided to share my truth was with a group of friends I had gone on an exchange program to Japan with. We hadn’t really stayed in touch as a group for about 3 years. I wasn’t sure how open they would be, but I felt it was important for me to be honest. So, I messaged them saying, ‘I’m bisexual.’ One of my friends responded with curiosity, asking, ‘Really? How did you come to realize that about yourself?’ We just had a normal conversation from there. What’s amazing is that this group of friends is genuinely interested in LGBTQ+ matters. Back when I was an ally, I take pride in being a part of that journey.”
What do you think would help Thai society become more diverse?
“I believe that enacting laws could create greater acceptance. When there are legal structures in place that acknowledge and support diversity, society tends to recognize and offer more opportunities.”