Yesterday, openly bisexual actress Evan Rachel Wood tweeted several times about bisexuality awareness and the issues facing the bisexual community.
Wood highlighted her experience as a bisexual woman and HRC’s newest report, Health Disparities Among Bisexual People.
“The reality is that bisexual people face discrimination not only outside of our community, but also from within--
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
--And that can discourage them from engaging in and benefitting from the work that LGBT advocates are doing--
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
--to address our mental, physical and sexual health." - HRC
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Bisexual people are the largest single group within the LGBT community, yet we are hardly recognized.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
"Bisexual adults have double the rate of depression than heterosexual adults, and are more likely to engage in self-harming behavior--
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
--including attempting suicide" - HRC
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Bisexual people often feel there isnt a place for them and this can lead to major health problems. http://t.co/6g3acqiN3H
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Actually I am divorced with a son and no matter who I am with I am #stillbisexual@ZipporahMorgan
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
I can assure you that whatever "straight privilege" I sometimes get accused of having, gets erased by #biphobia.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Remember, bisexuality doesn't mean halfway between gay or straight. It is its own identity.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
I think in some cases people don't want to be labeled because they are ashamed to be bisexual. And this needs to stop.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
I have battled with myself most of my life because I wasn't gay or straight enough. I used to think I would never be happy. #biphobia
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
I had to go through the same panic and shame and depression a lot of people in the LGBT community go through--
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
-- but when I came out a new found shame took over. Bi-shame. Feeling like people are judging you all over again but for different reasons.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
-- A weight was lifted but not completely. I still feel like we have to constantly prove ourselves & our worthiness within the community.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Point being, its ok. We do exist. Don't let anyone make you feel unworthy. No one knows your journey but you. #BisexualAwareness
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Ahead of Bisexual Awareness Week, Wood is helping to shine a light on the dangerous but largely hidden crisis--the striking physical, mental and sexual health disparities bisexual people face.
The new report highlights research showing that:
· Bisexual women have higher rates of cancer than the general population of women, higher rates of heart disease and obesity than heterosexual women, and are more likely than all other women to suffer from mental and emotional stress;
· Bisexual adults have double the rate of depression than heterosexual adults, higher rates of binge drinking, and are more likely to engage in self-harming behavior, including attempting suicide;
· Bisexual men are less likely than gay or heterosexual men to get tested for HIV, leading them to be disproportionately affected by the infection; and bisexual people are less likely to be screened for the human papilloma virus (HPV), which can increase the risk of cancer in both men and women.
As bisexual people continue to gain visibility and awareness through advocates and leaders, including Wood, Shane Dawson and Oregon Governor Kate Brown, it is vital to remain cognizant about the issues facing the bisexual community.
To learn more about the bisexual community, visit hrc.org/bisexual.
Whether it's for the first time ever or the first time today, the experience of coming out and living openly is a deeply personal and arduous journey. Visit HRC’s Coming Out Center to learn more.