What It's Like to Be Bisexual: In Numbers

The Movement Advancement Project, an independent LGBT think tank, highlighted its Bisexuals in America Report for Bisexual Awareness Week in a new infographic. The report, originally published during last year's Bisexual Awareness Week, shows bisexual people face disproportionate levels of poverty, violence, suicide, and discrimination.

According to the report, 52 percent of LGB people identify as bisexual. Yet, many are not out due to stigma.

"Bisexual people are only about one third as likely to be out to their close friends and family," said Heron Greenesmith, LGBT movement and policy analyst at MAP. "As shown in our new infographic, two-thirds of bisexual people report hearing negative comments at work and bisexual people are more likely to report negative health outcomes."



In a snapshot, bisexuals face:

Poverty: Approximately 25 percent of bisexual men and 30 percent of bisexual women live in poverty, compared to 15 percent and 21 percent of heterosexual men and women, respectively, and 20 percent of gay men and 23 percent of lesbians.

Employment: While 20 percent of bisexual people report experiencing a negative employment decision based on their sexual orientation, almost 60 percent of bisexual people report hearing antibisexual jokes and comments on the job. Nearly half of bisexual people report that they are not out to any of their coworkers (49 percent), compared to just 24 percent of lesbian and gay people.

Violence: Bisexual women experience significantly higher rates of both overall and intimate partner violence compared to lesbians and straight women -- and 46 percent of bisexual women have experienced rape, compared to 13 percent and 17 percent of lesbians and straight women, respectively. Bisexual men also report higher rates of sexual violence; nearly half of bisexual men (47 percent) report experiencing sexual violence other than rape in their lifetime.

Suicide attempts: One study found bisexuals were four times more likely, and lesbian and gay adults two times more likely, to report attempted suicide than heterosexual adults.

The Movement Advancement Project suggests services, programs, and policies to be implemented in order to address the disparities bisexual people face in multiple aspects of their lives. Read the infographic here.