Robert Edward Smith talks to Same Same about being an openly proud bisexual man, but asks the gay community not to discern or discriminate others based on gender. "It's a world of limitless possibilities." We, of all people, should know better.
Let me say it loud - I'm bisexual and proud of it. I'm passionate about the queer movement and its peoples, immensely excited for the frontier of change on the horizon, and proud of the recognition we're receiving in an exciting new dawn of Aussie politics. But my bi brethren and I are being forgotten in a pro-gay paradigm that's encompassing out wider community. If you happen to be a bisexual male, do any of your homosexual peers fail to fathom the legitimacy of your unique sexuality? Sadly, I'm often asked to somehow prove my sexuality beyond reasonable doubt, branded a liar (ridiculed by gay men in particular) and treated like I'm knee-deep in a hazy phase of self-denial. And I'm a little tired of it.
Crusaders in the GLBTI community routinely campaign to stamp out homophobia, evidences by the stellar success of campaigns such as last years Wear It Purple initiative, and the thunderous social networking petition 'Homophobia - Not Here' in response to the Adshel debacle last month. So surely there's room for a groundbreaking campaign to stave off "bi-phobia" within the fortified walls of our gay community? These days, gay men can publicly disclose their orientation without fear of rejection by their straight peers and/or family. According to RMIT Gender Studies lecturer Jilian Stone, bisexual men aren't so lucky. She says many bisexuals are discriminated against by gays and straight alike. "It's common for a young male bisexual to feel alone, and ostracised, and not have that same support network as gay people do. When your sexuality is diverse, complex and even threatening to other people, that sense of belonging is lost. From my experience, many bi men feel like their not deserving of acceptance from the heterosexual world, and they also feel they're not authentic enough for the homosexual world."
There's also a preconception within the gay community that true bisexual men should be coupled with a female - when thats simply not the case at all. Some bi men do indeed pursue relationships with women and live a hetero-normative lifestyle. But not every bi male does that. Some of us become enveloped in gay culture and seek out relationships with men. Why? Well because life isn't so formulaic. If I was to have sex with a million men and never bed a female again via some bizarre twist of fate, I'd still be organically bisexual, because I'm instinctually attracted to both men and women equally and nothing will change that. We are who we are, as blessed Ke$ha would say. The fabled gay scene is a lively, fast paced and appealing haven for young and vivacious males. It's a world of limitless possibilities, and I love it. But men like me aren't gay, we simply don't discern or discriminate based on gender, and all we ask for is a little more acceptance from our gay brothers in particular.
Source: Same Same
[Pictured above from Cody Cummings website is Cody, together with Parker London and Kandi Milan. If you like the shirt below, you can purchase it from Skreened HERE. For information and support services within Australia for those who either are, or think they may possibly be bisexual, then check the ReachOut website]
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