Bisexuals have a long history of being stereotyped as confused and promiscuous attention-seekers who are either not straight enough or not gay enough to fall into any "real" category of sexuality. Let's debunk the lies you've been sold about bisexuality by going through some of the comments you should absolutely never say to bisexuals.
1. "Who do you like more: boys or girls?"
It doesn't matter if I have a preference or not; I am bisexual and am attracted to more than one gender.
2. "But, like, if you HAD to choose?"
I don't, that's the point.
3. "Have you ever had a crush on me?"
No, contrary to popular belief, bisexuals aren't attracted to everything that moves. We do have standards, and no, you do not meet them.
4. "So you're like, half gay/half straight?"
No, I am not "half" anything, and bisexuality is not "halfway" between straight and gay.
5. "But... you're dating a guy. Doesn't that make you straight?"
No, because my sexual orientation is not defined by the gender of my partner. Bisexuals in opposite-sex relationships are still bisexual.
6. "Bisexuals are transphobic."
Bisexuality does not exclude attraction to trans and non-binary people, and bisexual does not have to strictly mean "attraction to men and women." I define my bisexuality as attraction to my gender and other genders. Your sexual orientation is determined by how you define it and what label you feel comfortable using, not by how the dictionary determines it for you.
7. "Maybe you're just confused, I mean I experimented in college, too."
Nope, not confused. Bisexuality is not synonymous with "experimenting." Bisexuality is part of who you are, not just something that happens when you get drunk and kiss your roommate on a dare. Sure, people experiment to try and figure out their sexuality, and those people are worthy of validation and support. But if I am telling you I'm bisexual, I don't mean that I'm confused. I mean I'm bisexual.
8. "Bisexuality is just a myth."
Well, if I'm not real then I definitely shouldn't have to pay taxes.
9. "I don't think I could ever date someone who's bi. I don't want to be cheated on."
We're no more or less apt to cheat than anyone else in the world. We have values. We're capable of love and commitment. But if you think dating a bisexual automatically means you'll be cheated on, maybe you deserve it.
10. "So how many partners do you have?"
Bisexuality does not mean polyamorous.
11. "Well, you aren't REALLY LGBT then, right?"
What do you think the "B" stands for? Bread?
12. "Are you just doing this for attention?"
Am I constantly being told I'm either "too straight" or "too gay" to be accepted by the communities around me "just for attention?" Have I spent countless nights wide awake at night wondering if there's something wrong me "just for attention?" Do I risk my safety every time I walk down the street holding my girlfriend's hand "just for attention?" Nope, definitely not.
13. "I mean, you can't REALLY know until you've been with both, right?"
Wrong, because sexual orientation does not depend on what genders you've been in relationships with. Trust me, I'm bisexual AF.
