mascbi survey results archive

One online survey is not an academic source or a proof of truth – but it can be an indication of a trend. Specifically, this survey was only published by this blog on Tumblr and on a few Discord servers; as such, it cannot be considered to be representative of the entire nonbinary community, but only of a portion of the nonbinary community that had access to this survey. It may be considered to be an indication of opinions and experiences within the nonbinary community on Tumblr, but certainly not worldwide. To reflect this, this survey will not make claims such as “40% of nonbinary people think that…” but will instead use the word “respondent”, such as: “40% of respondents think that…”.

This blog is not targeted towards nonbinary people, but primarily towards bisexual people. It’s likely that there is some degree of overrepresentation of bisexual nonbinary people in the sample of the survey. I personally wouldn’t consider this to be very relevant to the results since the survey spread mostly by reblogging and a large majority of people reblogging the survey are not people who follow me, which will even out the results with a large sample size, but I felt it important to still disclaim it.

Please pay close attention to the “demographics” portion of this survey: it is very relevant to inform just what parts of the community are represented. It is very important to note that there is a vast underrepresentation of people affected by transmisogyny within the sample, and it therefore cannot be truly representative of the experiences of transmisogyny-affected nonbinary people. The majority of respondents are white, therefore the survey cannot be fully representative of the experiences of nonbinary people of color, etc. Another note here: I dumbly forgot to add an “are you intersex” question. This was a silly mistake since I added this question in my previous survey. I realized fairly early on that it was missing, but by the time I did, adding the question would falsify its results due to it being absent from a number of responses already given. I apologize for this oversight.

The percentages in this survey are rounded up to the nearest whole number. For example, “19.3%” will be indicated as “19%”, or “21.8%” will be indicated as “22%”. The reason for this is mainly that I re-open surveys after counting their results, so the results will change somewhat over time (with a large enough sample size, they don’t change past 1 or 2%). If the survey gains enough new answers, I’ll make a new post reporting changes in results – otherwise, the results are approximate due to their potential of change. I do not claim that the numbers presented here are exact numbers to the decimal.

Linked at the bottom of this post will be a spreadsheet of all answers to the survey - you can use it to run your own data analysis if you want, or to read personal answers given by participants.

With that all being said, here are the current results to the survey. Should it get significantly more results, I’ll update it with a new report.

PART 1: DEMOGRAPHICS.

AGE

Most of the survey’s respondents are older teens and young adults: 42% are 20 to 25 years old; 40% are 16 to 19 years old;  10% are 13 to 15; 8% are 26 to 35; Less than 1% are under 13; less than 1% are 36 to 45; less than 1% are over 45.

ETHNICITY

The majority of the survey’s respondents are white (72%). Other ethnic groups include people mixed with white (17%), Asian people (all regions confounded: 8%, by region: 3% East Asian, 2% South-East Asian, 2% South Asian,  less than 1% West Asian, less than 1% Central Asian, less than 1% unsure of region)  ethnically Jewish people (6%), Black people (5%), Mestizo/a people (5%), Native Americans (3%), Middle Eastern people (2%), African people (all regions confounded: 3%. By region: region uncertain 1%, Sub-Saharan African less than 1%, North African less than 1%). Pacific Islanders, Romani people, Maori people, Aboriginal Australians, Fijian people, and Papua New Guinean people were all represented by percentages under 1% of the survey.

6% of respondents indicated being unsure of their ethnicity or belonging to another ethnic group.

DISABILITY

55% of respondents are not disabled. 23% of respondents are disabled. 22% of respondents do not know whether or not they are disabled.

MENTAL ILLNESS

79% of respondents are mentally ill. 16% percent aren’t sure whether they’re mentally ill. 5% are not mentally ill.

REGION OF RESIDENCE

75% of respondents reside in North America, 18% in Europe, 3% in Oceania, 2% in South America, and 1% in Asia. Less than 1% of respondents reside in Africa or in the Caribbean.

ECONOMIC BACKGROUND

34% of respondents are lower middle class. 28% are low income/working class. 27% are upper middle class. 4% of respondents live in poverty. 1% are upper class. 7% indicate being unsure of their economic background.

TRANSMISOGYNY

A bit of a parenthesis. This was a really hard question to count up. I defined transmisogyny in the beginning of the “demographics” section with this: “"Transmisogyny" is the prejudice against or oppression of trans women and transfeminine people. Transmisogyny does not affect people who are not trans women or transfeminine but may be mistaken as such (eg. feminine men, trans men who are mistaken for trans women), nor does it affect AFAB nonbinary people who identify partially as women (they may be affected both by transphobia and by misogyny, but not by transmisogyny).” This was my best attempt to have a question asking whether someone is transmisogyny-affected or transmisogyny-exempt, which I think is a very important one to ask in a survey about gender and nonbinary experiences, without asking “are you a trans woman or transfeminine”, which I think many nonbinary people would have trouble defining very clearly, and without using the terms “transmisogyny affected” and “transmisogyny exempt”, which I think many people do not know.

I left “other” answers open for this question because I expected that some people may not be sure of whether or not they experience transmisogyny – notably because nonbinary gender is not clear cut.

A large part of “other” answers were, however, disappointing. 2% of respondents indicate that they are transmasculine, AFAB, or generally transmisogyny-exempt, yet felt the need to still use the “other” answer, either simply to state this (not sure why they didn’t simply answer “no”), or to say that they are affected by transmisogyny because they are sometimes mistaken for trans women or because they are affected by both transphobia and misogyny, which are both answers I specifically requested NOT be given, as can be seen above. Some people also said they didn’t know what transmisogyny was, again despite it being defined above. This question also got an openly transmisogynistic answer. I considered going through individual responses and deleting this person’s response but decided against it, because while the response of this person being in the survey was very uncomfortable, it would be intellectually dishonest to delete answers given to the survey. I think the response that this question got ironically outlines how present transmisogyny is in the nonbinary community, yet how ignorant we are of it.

Of the “other” answers that actually answered the question, most either indicated not facing transmisogyny due to not being out, or being uncertain of whether they face transmisogyny, notably due to intersex conditions blurring the notion of AGAB.

As for yes or no answers – 81% of respondents said they were not affected by transmisogyny. 15% said they were.

PERSONAL COMMENTS

459 respondents left other personal comments regarding the demographics they belong to. These will be available in the file linked at the bottom of this post. Many of these comments are specifics about ethnicity or sexuality.

PART 2: GENDER IDENTITY AND IDENTITY JOURNEY

Upon being asked what genders or gender labels they identify as:

88% of respondents identify as nonbinary.

27% identify as agender.

24% identify as genderqueer.

23% identify as transmasculine.

21% identify as genderfluid.

20% identify as gender neutral.

17% identify as women.

15% identify as men.

11% identify as butch.

10% identify as androgyne.

7% identify as femme.

6% identify as demigirls.

6% identify as demiboys.

5% identify as bigender.

4% identify as multigender.

3% identify as neutrois.

2% identify as transfeminine.

2% identify as neurogender.

1% identify as polygender.

1% identify as genderflux.

1% identify as two-spirit.

Other labels provided by the survey were represented by less than 1% of respondents.

7% of respondents gave other answers, often either indicating a label not provided by the survey, or that they were still questioning.

Regarding whether or not they identify as transgender:

69% of respondents identify as transgender.

25% identify as neither transgender nor cisgender.

6% identify as cisgender and nonbinary.

Regarding how long they have identified as nonbinary for:

49% of respondents have identified as nonbinary for 2 to 5 years;

22% for 7 months to a year;

14% for 6 to 10 years;

12% for 1 to 6 months;

2% for less than a month;

1% for 10 to 20 years;

Less than 1% for more than 20 years.

When asked whether they had identified as genders other than cisgender before identifying as their current gender (“check all that apply” question):

21% have identified as their current gender for as long as they’ve known they weren’t cisgender.

34% of respondents identified as questioning, or didn’t use a specific gender label.

25% identified as a binary trans man or a binary trans woman.

24% identified as multiple other nonbinary genders.

19% identified as one other nonbinary gender.

18% have gone back and forth identifying as cisgender and as nonbinary.

When asked how they came to identify as nonbinary:

64% of respondents learned about nonbinary identity from social media;

22% from nonbinary people they knew;

4% from people they knew who were not nonbinary;

3% from contemporary media (eg. TV shows, movies, novels, non-fiction books and essays)

2% from real-life activist spaces;

Less than 1% from older media;

Less than 1% were taught about nonbinary genders growing up (from parents, siblings, or authority figures);

Less than 1% have a culturally-specific gender that they learned about while researching their culture;

Less than 1% have a culturally-specific gender that they knew about from their upraising in that culture.

4% of respondents gave other answers, with the leading answer indicating they learned about nonbinary genders from multiple sources.

When asked whether they feel they are aligned with a binary gender:

21% are unaligned or “in the middle” of alignments;

20% see no relation between binary gender and their identity and don’t use alignment terminology;

19% of respondents say they are aligned with womanhood;

14% are sometimes aligned with womanhood and sometimes with manhood;

12% are aligned with manhood;

3% are aligned with womanhood and manhood at the same time.

11% gave other answers, with a tendency for indicating uncertainty or fluctuation in relationship to alignment.

When asked if they have one singular gender:

22% of respondents have one specific gender (that they may or may not label) and are that gender all the time.

20% don’t have a gender at all.

12% sometimes have a gender and sometimes don’t – but when they do it’s always the same one.

12% have more than one gender and fluctuate between different combinations of genders.

11% sometimes have a gender and sometimes don’t – but when they do it’s one of multiple genders.

10% don’t know what their gender is, or don’t feel that there are different nonbinary genders.

4% have more than one gender and are always all of these genders.

4% have more than one gender but are only one of these genders at any given time.

5% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked how they feel about having a gender:

23% of respondents feel they have a gender, but it’s not as clear-cut as “man” or “woman”.

16% use a term to describe their gender, but just because it feels good to them or they like it – it doesn’t describe a specific group.

14% don’t know what their gender(s) is but aren’t questioning it – the uncertainty is their identity.

11% are very sure of what their gender(s) is/are. They have strong feelings of what their gender(s) is/are and may use specific labels to describe it/them. Their gender(s) feel/s as tangible of a concept as “man” or “woman”..

9% feel their lack of gender is their gender (eg., agender, genderless…)

8% aren’t sure of what their gender(s) is because they’re still questioning

8% don’t have a gender at all.

7% use a term like “agender” or “genderless” but it simply describes their experience – it isn’t their gender.

Less than 1% have a gender that, in their culture, is an established gender category in the same way “man” or “woman” is.

4% of respondents gave other answers, with the leading answer being not having strong feelings about or caring about gender.

On the topic of self-doubt, internalized binarism, questioning and struggling with gender (“check all that apply” question):

75% of respondents often feel or have felt that they are not “nonbinary enough”, and that there are real nonbinary people but they’re not one of them.

74% often feel or felt that they are faking their gender and are really a binary gender (cis or trans).

64% feel or used to feel silly or ridiculous for identifying as nonbinary.

55% put off coming out as nonbinary because they felt it wasn’t important enough to warrant coming out.

33% used to not understand why people identified as nonbinary and why that identity was relevant.

31% used to think that nonbinary genders were fake, made up, attention-seeking, or biologically impossible.

27% feel or felt that identifying as nonbinary isn’t as important or relevant as other LGBT identities.

22% go back and forth identifying as a binary gender (cis or trans) and nonbinary and are not sure which one they are.

19% fear or used to fear that there are actually no nonbinary people and that all nonbinary people are wrong or confused.

17% previously identified as a binary trans person because they didn’t know that they could be nonbinary.

4% previously identified as a binary trans person because they didn’t believe in nonbinary genders.

580 respondents gave personal answers about their gender identity.

PART 3: PRONOUN USE

When asked what pronouns they use (“check all that apply” question):

83% of respondents use they pronouns.

45% use he.

40% use she.

7% use it.

6% use xe.

3% use ze.

3% use ey.

1% use hir.

Less than 1% use thon.

Less than 1% use sie.

Less than 1% use co.

17% don’t have a pronoun preference and can be referred to as any set of pronouns, or any pronouns with some exceptions (EG. : “all pronouns but he”, etc)

7% use another/multiple sets of neopronouns.

4% use another set of pronouns specific to their language.

2% don’t use pronouns at all.

When asked how many sets of pronouns they use:

25% use only one set of pronouns.

25% use at least two sets of pronouns and don’t care how people use them so long as they use the pronouns they’ve chosen.

24% have one main set of pronouns, and also have one or more auxiliary sets.

10% use at least two sets of pronouns and prefer people alternate between them.

4% use at least two sets of pronouns and prefer for people to pick one set and use it to refer to them.

4% use at least two sets of pronouns and change them at different times, such as on a daily basis.

6% of respondents gave other answers, such as using different pronouns with different people or in different circumstances (for example based on being out or not).

When asked whether nonbinary people can use he/him or she/her pronouns:

More than 99% of respondents said yes. Less than 1% said no.

When asked whether nonbinary people can use they/them pronouns:

More than 99% of respondents said yes. Less than 1% said no.

When asked whether nonbinary people can use neopronouns:

97% of respondents said yes. 3% said no.

When asked whether binary people (cis or trans) can use pronouns other than he or she:

72% of respondents answered that anyone can use any pronouns for any reason.

9% don’t believe that any binary person would use pronouns other than he or she, and that if they do, they’re nonbinary and won’t admit it.

9% said yes – but they shouldn’t use it/its pronouns.

5% said yes – but only trans people. Cis people should only use he or she.

Less than 1% say that pronouns other than he or she should be reserve to nonbinary people.

Less than 1% said yes – but only cis people. Binary trans people should only use he or she.

4% of respondents gave other answers, many expressing confusion as to why a binary person or a cis person would use pronouns other than he or she, but most noting that they support anyone using the pronouns they choose. Several people noted that pronoun use is often linked to non-heterosexuality.

When asked whether people (of any gender) can use it/its pronouns (“check all you agree with) question):

57% said anyone can use any pronoun for any reason.

16% said yes, but only trans and nonbinary people – cis people can’t use them.

14% said no - it/its is used disparagingly against trans and nonbinary people and using it is encouraging it or making light of it.

14% said yes, but only if they’ve been called “it”, as a form of reclamation.

14% said no, it/its is dehumanizing and people using them are hurting themselves.

5% said no, it/its is for inanimate objects and is grammatically incorrect.

2% said yes, but only nonbinary people – binary people can’t use it/its.

14% gave other answers.

When asked whether they use the same pronouns in real life as they do online (“check all that apply” question):

37% say they use they/them in real life as well as online.

33% say they use they/them online but other pronouns in real life.

30% say they use he or she online as well as in real life.

23% use several sets of pronouns online, but only one or a few in real life.

7% use he or she online but other pronouns in real life.

5% use neopronouns online but something else in real life.

3% use it/its online but something else in real life.

2% use neopronouns in real life as well as online.

1% use it/its in real life as well as online.

14% gave other answers.

For respondents who use different pronouns in real life as they do online, when asked why (“check all that apply” question):

74% are not out as nonbinary in real life.

64% think people wouldn’t agree to use their pronouns.

63% are afraid of facing prejudice if they use their pronouns.

13% say the pronouns they use online are in a different language to the one they speak in real life and may not have a direct translation.

8% are out in real life as a binary trans person and use he or she for that reason.

4% say their pronouns can’t be or would be very hard to use in real life (such as emoji pronouns or not using pronouns at all).

9% of respondents gave other answers.

401 respondents gave personal answers regarding pronouns.

PART 4: GENDER PRESENTATION AND ITS PERCEPTION.

When asked how they would describe their gender presentation (“check all that apply” question):

48% of respondents have an androgynous presentation.

42% can’t present the way they want due to circumstances outside of their control (not out, can’t afford clothes, hair cuts, body modifications…).

36% say their presentation fluctuates from day to day.

31% have a feminine presentation.

30% have a masculine presentation.

26% don’t think their presentation is gendered or refuse to gender it.

14% say their presentation can be described by a specific term (eg. butch or femme).

4% gave other answers.

When asked whether they are usually satisfied with the ways people perceive their gender:

53% say that no – they want people to be unable to gender them as a binary gender, but they are usually gendered one way or another.

30% can’t ever be satisfied with being perceived within the framework of gender - people gendering them or being unable to gender them both make them uncomfortable.

20% don’t care what people see them as and whatever gender they’re perceived as doesn’t bother them.

13% prefer to be perceived as a binary gender, but are not usually perceived as that gender.

12% say no – they have a specific nonbinary gender and would like people to be able to identify it based on their presentation, but they can’t.

7% say yes – they prefer to be perceived as a binary gender and usually are.

6% say yes – they want people to be unable to gender them and they usually are.

1% says yes – they have a specific nonbinary gender and people are able to identify it based on their presentation.

Less than 1% say no - they have a culturally-specific gender but the people around them can’t identify it based on their presentation.

Less than 1% say yes - they have a culturally-specific gender and the people around them can identify it based on their presentation.

7% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked how, in an ideal world, they’d want their gender to be perceived and read:

48% say gender would still exist, but they’d be able to opt out of it – they would never be gendered against their consent and people would only need to have a gender if they wanted to.

15% say gender would not exist at all – there would be no question of gendering someone whatsoever.

14% say they would be able to get across their nonbinary gender through their presentation and people would be able to infer what their gender is based on presentation, as is most often the case for cis men and women.

11% say people would be unable to gender them regardless of how masculine or feminine their presentation may be.

7% say people would be unable to gender them because their presentation would be completely androgynous.

1% say nothing would change about the world’s perception of gender, but they would always be perceived as one binary gender that they are not usually perceived as.

Less than 1% say nothing would change about the world’s perception of gender, but they would alternately be perceived as a man or a woman.

Less than 1% say they don’t wish for anything to change about the ways people read gender currently.

3% of respondents gave other answers.

For respondents who are consistently read as one binary gender, when asked what their experience of it was (“check all that apply” question):

91% say they are usually read as their assigned gender at birth.

57% say being read as the gender they are read as makes them uncomfortable.

43% say being read as this gender makes them dysphoric.

33% say they’re fine being read as this gender, but they’d prefer to not be gendered at all.

29% say they’re read as this gender despite their best efforts to be read as another gender or no gender at all.

19% say they’re fine being read as this gender, but they’d rather be read as their specific nonbinary gender.

8% say they enjoy or prefer being read as this gender.

7% are usually read as the opposite binary gender as their assigned gender at birth.

7% are fine being read as this gender, but would rather be read as the opposite binary gender.

5% are read as the gender they’re read as because they make specific efforts to pass as that gender.

339 respondents left personal responses about gender presentation and perception.

PART 5: GENDER DYSPHORIA AND TRANSITION

As was stated in this section, this survey used the medical definition of gender dysphoria whenever dysphoria was mentioned, which is “the distress that may accompany the incongruence between one’s experienced or expressed gender and one’s assigned gender. Although not all individuals will experience distress as a result of such incongruence, many are distressed if the desired physical interventions by means of hormones and/or surgery are not available.”

When asked whether they’ve taken steps to transition (“check all that apply” question):

71% of respondents say they’ve undertaken social transition online.

57% use hair cuts and hair styling to express their gender.

57% use clothes and accessories to express their gender.

40% have undertaken social transition in real life.

15% use makeup to express their gender.

13% use body modifications (such as piercings, tattoos, or dermal implants) to express their gender.

9% take hormones to express their gender.

8% have legally changed their name.

3% have legally changed their gender marker.

3% have had one or more surgeries to change primary sex characteristics (chest or genitals)

Less than 1% have used cosmetic treatments such as permanent hair removal or permanent makeup to express their gender.

Less than 1% have had one or more surgeries to change secondary sex characteristics (such as facial  feminization/masculinization or body shaping).

30% aren’t sure what kind of transition they want yet.

25% can’t transition because they aren’t out.

21% can’t transition because they can’t access tools to transition.

17% don’t want to transition.

3% of respondents gave other answers, such as using a binder.

For respondents who want to transition, to the question “If you want to, have, or are transitioning, what best describes the transition you want/have had? Please describe your ideal transition, if there were no limits or struggles in achieving it.”:

53% say they would medically transition and their transition would be close to that of a binary trans person, but not quite the same – they want to do some things but don’t want to do others, or want some parts of transition to be different (such as wanting surgeries but no hormones or the other way around, or seeking atypical surgeries).

12% would medically transition and their transition would be exactly that of a binary trans person – they would take hormones and undergo surgeries as typically expected of a binary trans man or woman.

10% would medically transition and their transition would look nothing like that of a binary trans person: the results they’re looking for are very different (such as seeking complete removal of all sex characteristics).

47% would socially transition and their transition would not at all be like that of a binary trans person. They want to be known only as a nonbinary person and will not use typically gendered names or pronouns.

29% would socially transition and their transition would be close to that of a binary trans person, but not quite the same, for example using he or she pronouns but a gender neutral name.

11% would socially transition and their transition would be exactly that of a binary trans person: they would change their name and pronouns to typically male or female name and pronouns and would want to be seen as the opposite binary gender to their AGAB.

When asked whether they experience gender dysphoria:

47% of respondents say yes, but their dysphoria fluctuates in intensity or isn’t very strong.

33% say yes, but minimally: they sometimes feel dysphoric in specific situations, but usually don’t.

8% say they have strong gender dysphoria at all times.

6% say they do not and never have experienced gender dysphoria.

5% say they used to experience gender dysphoria but no longer do after learning coping mechanisms or changing their view of themselves.

Less than 1% say they no longer experience dysphoria after transitioning.

For respondents who have experienced gender dysphoria, when asked whether they have experienced bodily dysphoria or social dysphoria:

81% of respondents have experienced both social and bodily gender dysphoria.

12% have only experienced social gender dysphoria.

8% have only experienced bodily gender dysphoria.

For respondents who have experienced gender dysphoria, when asked how they experienced it (“check all that apply” question):

56% experienced dysphoria without being able to tell what would make it better: they feel or felt dysphoric about parts of themselves but didn’t know what they wanted those things to be instead (such as being dysphoric about a flat chest but not necessarily wanting breasts either) or about specific situations without knowing how they’d want the situation to go instead (such as dysphoria about being gendered, but not sure how they’d want to be gendered instead).

53% experienced gender dysphoria only about one or a few specific things or situations (such as only have dysphoria about their height or voice, or only getting dysphoric when being gendered).

43% experienced gender dysphoria not commonly associated with a binary trans person: they want or wanted to have a body, voice, appearance or experiences not associated with either men or women.

41% experienced gender dysphoria commonly associated with a binary trans person: they want or wanted to have the body, voice, appearance, or experiences of the opposite binary gender to their AGAB.

For respondents who have experienced gender dysphoria, when asked about the relationship between their dysphoria and their nonbinary identity (“check all that applies” question):

65% have dysphoria because of social standards. They’ve been taught that they way someone looks equals their gender, and because they aren’t their AGAB, they feel uncomfortable with their body.

44% have dysphoria because they get misgendered.

27% have dysphoria because they’re nonbinary: they want to look like their gender.

18% are nonbinary because they have dysphoria. The dysphoria is what makes them understand that they are not their assigned gender at birth.

12% say there’s no relationship between their dysphoria and their nonbinary identity. Gender dysphoria is an unrelated condition that they don’t link to their nonbinary identity.

5% of respondents gave other answers.

306 respondents gave personal answers regarding gender dysphoria.

PART 6: SEXUALITY

When asked what their sexual orientation is (“check all that apply” question):

37% of respondents are bisexual.

36% are queer.

26% are asexual.

24% are lesbians.

15% are gay.

15% are pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual/other m-spec labels.

6% are bisexual men.

5% are gay men.

4% are bisexual women.

1% are aromantic.

Less than 1% are gai.

Less than 1% are strait.

Less than 1% are demisexual.

5% can’t define their sexuality with any established term.

4% use no label.

Less than 1% are questioning.

8% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked whether they identify as a man-loving man (MLM) or a woman-loving woman (WLW):

46% of respondents identify as neither.

32% identify as WLW.

13% identify as MLM.

8% identify as both.

When asked whether they use another “x-loving x” label to describe their sexuality:

64% of respondents don’t.

25% identify as nonbinary-loving nonbinary (NBLNB).

22% identify as nonbinary-loving women (NBLW).

15% identify as nonbinary-loving men (NBLM).

10% identify as woman-loving nonbinary (WLNB).

9% identify as man-loving nonbinary (MLNB).

3% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked how they navigate sexual orientation labels as a nonbinary person (“check all that apply” question):

60% of respondents identify as bisexual, pansexual/omnisexual/polysexual, asexual, queer, or another identity term that isn’t associated with a binary gender.

30% identify as a gay man, a lesbian, or straight, and say these orientations are inclusive of nonbinary people.

18% say their orientation is their gender (such as: “my gender is lesbian”, “my gender is bisexual”); they are linked together and can’t be separated.

12% say they can’t find a label that would describe their sexuality without taking their gender into account.

9% say they would like to identify as a gay man, a lesbian, or straight, but they feel like these labels are too tied to binary gender and using them would be misgendering themselves.

2% use a nonbinary-specific orientation label.

5% gave other answers (with the leading answer being saying that they’re asexual so it doesn’t matter, though this was already included in the first answer).

261 respondents gave personal answers regarding sexual orientation.

PART 7: RELATIONSHIP TO THE LGBT COMMUNITY

When asked whether they consider themselves part of the LGBT+ community:

99% of respondents say yes. 1% say no.

(All following questions about participation in the LGBT+ community ask that respondents who do not identify as LGBT+ skip them.)

When asked what real-life LGBT+ spaces they are present in (“check all that apply” question):

43% are unable to frequent real-life LGBT+ spaces: it’s not safe, they’re not out, they aren’t accessible, or there are none nearby.

29% have frequented real-life LGBT+ spaces on a couple occasions, but it’s never been a regular thing for them.

23% are somewhat involved in real-life LGBT+ spaces: they occasionally attend meetings, events, or visit organizations, but it isn’t a big part their my life.

8% choose not to frequent real-life LGBT+ spaces.

6% heavily participate in real-life LGBT+ spaces: they’re a part of organizations or activist groups, they attend LGBT+ meetings, events, and protests frequently…

58% have many real-life LGBT+ friends: most or all of their friend group is LGBT+.

17% have a few real-life LGBT+ friends: their friend group has an even amount of LGBT+ people and people who aren’t LGBT+.

13% have one or two real-life LGBT+ friends, but the majority of their real-life friends aren’t LGBT+.

8% are unable to have real-life LGBT+ friends: it wouldn’t be safe to be around other LGBT+ people, they don’t know any LGBT+ people around them…

Less than 1% choose not to be friends with LGBT+ people.

When asked what online LGBT+ spaces they’re present in (“check all that apply” question):

61% are somewhat involved in online LGBT+ spaces: they may follow a few pages or content creators, and they talk about LGBT+ topics on their personal social media, but their online presence doesn’t revolve around it.

22% heavily participate in online LGBT+ spaces: they run a website or social media page dedicated to LGBT+ topics, they follow and engage with similar content, they create LGBT+ content and/or consume that content.

16% frequented online LGBT+ spaces on a couple occasions, but it’s never been a regular thing for them.

4% choose not to frequent online LGBT+ spaces.

1% are unable to frequent online LGBT+ spaces: it would be unsafe for them, their Internet access is limited or supervised…

70% have many online LGBT+ friends: most or all of their online friend group is LGBT+.

7% have a few online LGBT+ friends: their online friend group has an even amount of LGBT+ people and people who aren’t LGBT+.

2% are unable to have online LGBT+ friends: it wouldn’t be safe for them, or they can’t come in contact with people online for one reason or another.

2% have one or two online LGBT+ friends, but the majority of their online friends aren’t LGBT+.

Less than 1% choose not to be friends with LGBT+ people online.

For respondents who have contact with real-life LGBT+ spaces, when asked how their nonbinary identity has been received there (“check all that apply” question):

36% are not out as nonbinary in real-life LGBT+ spaces.

31% feel their nonbinary identity has been very well received: other LGBT+ people give them great support and they don’t feel disrespected.

25% feel their nonbinary identity has been fairly well received: they’re overall supported, but some people are dismissive or disrespectful of their identity.

14% feel their nonbinary identity has been neutrally received: they don’t get particular support for it, but they don’t feel specifically targeted or disrespected.

10% have experienced very different reception of their gender in different real-life LGBT+ spaces.

8% have only experienced support from transgender and nonbinary people.

6% have specifically experienced rejection from binary trans people.

4% feel their nonbinary identity has been poorly received: they get some support, but a lot of people are disrespectful or dismissive of their gender.

3% have only experienced support from other nonbinary people.

1% feel their nonbinary identity has been very poorly received: they get little to no support, but are frequently faced with dismissal or disrespect.

1% have specifically experienced rejection from transgender and nonbinary people.

1% have specifically experienced rejection from other nonbinary people.

Less than 1% have only experienced support from binary trans people.

For respondents who have had contact with online LGBT+ spaces, when asked how their nonbinary identity has been received there (“check all that apply” question):

9% are not out as nonbinary in online LGBT+ spaces.

52% feel their nonbinary identity has been very well received: other LGBT+ people give them great support and they don’t feel disrespected.

28% feel their nonbinary identity has been fairly well received: they’re overall supported, but some people are dismissive or disrespectful of their identity.

15% feel their nonbinary identity has been neutrally received: they don’t get particular support for it, but they don’t feel specifically targeted or disrespected.

10% have experienced very different reception of their gender in different online LGBT+ spaces.

7% have specifically experienced rejection from binary trans people.

5% have only experienced support from transgender and nonbinary people.

3% feel their nonbinary identity has been poorly received: they get some support, but a lot of people are disrespectful or dismissive of their gender.

2% have only experienced support from other nonbinary people.

2% have specifically experienced rejection from transgender and nonbinary people.

1% have specifically experienced rejection from other nonbinary people.

Less than 1% have only experienced support from binary trans people.

Less than 1% feel their nonbinary identity has been very poorly received: they get little to no support, but are frequently faced with dismissal or disrespect.

When asked whether there are other LGBT+ groups they feel particular solidarity with (“check all that apply” question):

30% of respondents feel the same solidarity with all LGBT+ groups.

44% feel particular solidarity with binary trans people.

44% feel particular solidarity with bisexual people.

39% feel particular solidarity with queer people.

37% feel particular solidarity with lesbians.

31% feel particular solidarity with asexual people.

20% feel particular solidarity with pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people.

16% feel particular solidarity with gay men.

10% feel particular solidarity with intersex people.

3% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked whether there are other LGBT+ groups they feel less or no solidarity with (“check all that apply” question):

35% of respondents feel the same solidarity with all LGBT+ groups.

32% feel little or no solidarity with asexual people.

28% feel little or no solidarity with pansexual people.

22% feel little or no solidarity with gay men.

14% feel little or no solidarity with intersex people.

12% feel little or no solidarity with lesbians.

11% feel little or no solidarity with queer people.

4% feel little or no solidarity with binary trans people.

2% feel little or no solidarity with bisexual people.

4% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked how they feel other LGBT+ groups receive nonbinary people (“check all you agree with” question):

51% say bisexual people are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

50% say queer people are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

42% say lesbians are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

40% say binary transgender people are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

40% say asexual/aromantic people are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

35% say pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

34% say pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

33% say intersex people are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

16% say gay men are particularly supportive of nonbinary people.

16% say binary transgender people are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

14% say gay men are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

9% say lesbians are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

8% say asexual/aromantic people particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

8% say queer people particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

6% say gay men particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

4% say lesbians particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

3% say bisexual people particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

3% say binary transgender people particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

2% say pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

2% say asexual/aromantic people are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

1% say bisexual people are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

1% say queer people are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

1% say intersex people are particularly hostile to nonbinary people.

Less than 1% say intersex people particularly tokenize or fetishize nonbinary people.

8% of respondents gave other answers.

282 people gave personal answers about their relationship to the LGBT+ community.

PART 8: NONBINARY ISSUES AND TOPICS

When asked whether nonbinary people have always existed:

96% of respondents say yes – there have historically always been nonbinary people, just as long as there have been men and women.

Less than 1% say no – nonbinary genders are a recent creation. It wasn’t always possible to be nonbinary, or nonbinary people are a recent reaction to discussions of gender.

4% of respondents gave other answers, such as questioning the historical relevancy of the gender binary, or indicating that they simply don’t know.

When asked whether you need gender dysphoria to be nonbinary:

94% of respondents say no – gender dysphoria isn’t the only indication of being nonbinary.

3% say yes – the only way you’d know you’re nonbinary is if you have nonbinary gender dysphoria.

3% of respondents gave other answers, many saying they don’t know or don’t care.

When asked whether you can be both nonbinary and a man, a woman, or both:

89% of respondents say yes: you can be a nonbinary man or a nonbinary woman.

5% say yes, but you can only be both at once. Being a mix of a man and a woman is nonbinary, but if you’re only one of the two then you aren’t nonbinary.

1% say no – you can only be nonbinary if you’re neither a man nor a woman in any way.

5% of respondents gave other answers, many giving their personal experience of being nonbinary and a man/a woman/both, or saying they don’t know.

When asked whether you can be nonbinary and a gay man or a lesbian:

62% say yes – you can be a nonbinary man or a nonbinary woman, so you can be a nonbinary gay man or a nonbinary lesbian.

34% say yes – those orientations don’t necessarily describe gender exactly, so if you’re close enough to a gay man or a lesbian you can call yourself one even if you’re nonbinary.

2% say no – those orientations are for men and women, nonbinary people should use other terms or create their own terms.

Less than 1% say you can be a nonbinary lesbian, but you can’t be a nonbinary gay man because it contains the word “man” and you can’t be a man and nonbinary.

2% of respondents gave other answers, many giving a “yes” answer but providing another reason.

When asked whether you can be nonbinary and bisexual:

More than 99% of respondents say yes – anyone can be bisexual since the word “bisexual” doesn’t indicate gender at all.

Less than 1% say no – bisexual only includes binary people.

Less than 1% of respondents gave other answers, most agreeing with the first answer and indicating their belief that you can be nonbinary and bisexual. (This happens with basically every question that has an “other” option. Not sure why everyone keeps adding “other” answers to repeat what I already provided as an answer. Please just pick the answer that I already put in the survey. It’s past midnight it is very tedious counting these.)

When asked whether all nonbinary people are transgender:

82% say all nonbinary people can call themselves transgender, but they may choose not to use the term transgender.

11% say all nonbinary people are transgender whether or not they use the label. Nonbinary people who won’t call themselves transgender are dealing with internalized transphobia.

1% say no – nonbinary people who aren’t aligned with their AGAB are transgender, but those who are aligned with their AGAB aren’t.

1% say no – nonbinary people who are aligned with the opposite binary gender to their AGAB are transgender, nonbinary people who aren’t are not transgender.

Less than 1% say no – nonbinary people who transition are transgender, nonbinary people who don’t transition aren’t.

Less than 1% say no – nonbinary people with dysphoria are transgender, nonbinary people without dysphoria aren’t transgender.

Less than 1% say no – no nonbinary people are transgender. Transgender only describes binary people and nonbinary is a separate category.

4% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked whether gay men and lesbians can be attracted to nonbinary people (“check all you agree with” question):

91% say yes – gay men and lesbians can be attracted to nonbinary people.

15% say yes – but only to nonbinary people who consider themselves aligned with men or women.

1% say no – gay men are only attracted to binary men and lesbians to binary women.

Less than 1% say gay men and lesbians are only attracted to cis people.

1 person said gay men can be attracted to nonbinary people, but lesbians can’t. 1 person said lesbians can be attracted to nonbinary people, but gay men can’t. I thought it was funny that it was just 1 person for each so I included it.

When asked whether bisexual people can be attracted to nonbinary people:

68% said yes – bisexuality includes attraction to all genders.

32% said yes – bisexuality includes attraction to at least two genders, which can include nonbinary people.

Less than 1% say no - bisexuality only includes attraction to binary men and women.

1 person said bisexuality only includes attraction to cis people.

When asked whether straight people can be attracted to nonbinary people:

82% said yes – straight people can be attracted to nonbinary people.

11% said yes – but they can only be attracted to nonbinary people aligned with men or women.

7% said no – straight people are only attracted to binary people.

Less than 1% said straight people are only attracted to cis people.

When asked whether anyone can be attracted to and be in relationships with nonbinary people:

92% say yes – anyone of any orientation can be attracted to nonbinary people.

6% say no – straight people can’t be attracted to nonbinary people but anyone else can.

1% say no – gay men and lesbians can’t be attracted to nonbinary people, but bisexual people and pansexual/omnisexual/polysexual/queer people can.

Less than 1% say no – only pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual/queer people are attracted to or are in relationships with nonbinary people.

297 people gave personal answers about nonbinary topics and issues.

261 people gave personal answers about topics brought up in the survey in the “last thoughts” section.

1. Demographics

A majority of the respondents were older teens or adults, with the main age demographics being 20 to 25 (44%) and 16 to 19 (36%). 12% of respondents were aged 26 to 35. 6% were 13 to 15. About 2% were over 35. No respondents were under 13.

Most respondents have identified as bisexual for 2 to 10 years: 27% for 3 to 5 years, 25% from 5 to 10 years, and 22% from 2 to 3 years. 10% have identified as bisexual for 6 months to a year, 5% for less than 6 months, and 1% have identified as bisexual for a month or less. 8% have identified as bisexual for 10 to 20 years, and 1% for more than 20 years.

46% of respondents identified as women. 13% identified as men. 14% identify as nonbinary and female-aligned. 8% identified as nonbinary and male-aligned. 17% of respondents identified as nonbinary and unaligned or multi-gendered. The remaining participants indicated identifying as neither women, men, nor nonbinary, which included people with genders other than woman or man who didn’t use the term nonbinary, people questioning or unsure of their gender, and people with culturally specific genders who did not identify as nonbinary.

50% of respondents identified as cisgender. 35% identify as transgender. 15% identify as neither (the survey specified that this option was only for non-binary people who don’t identify as cisgender nor transgender, and does not account for cisgender people who don’t like the word cisgender).

97% of respondents indicated they were not intersex. 2% preferred not to say whether they were intersex. 1% of respondents indicated they were intersex.

72% of respondents are white. Other ethnicities include people mixed with white (16%), Asian people (all parts of Asia confounded, 11%, with smaller percentages based on the region), Black people (6%), ethnically Jewish people (6%), Native Americans (4%), and people uncertain of their ethnic background (2%). 2% of respondents identified their ethnicity as latine, hispanic, or mestizo/a. Other percentages were under 1%.

12% of respondents identified as hispanic or latine.

30% of respondents are middle class. 25% are low income/working class. 22% are lower middle class. 14% are upper middle class. 4% of respondents live in poverty. Less than 1% of respondents are upper class. 4% preferred not to indicate their economic background or weren’t sure of what they’d qualify as.

20% of respondents are disabled.

80% of respondents are mentally ill.

69% of respondents live in North America. 22% live in Europe. 5% live in Oceania. 2% live in South America. 2% live in Asia. Less than 1% live in Africa. Less than 1% live in the Caribbean.

2. Defining bisexuality.

When asked to define bisexuality in general (multiple possible answers per respondent): 49% of respondents define bisexuality as attraction to all genders. 46% define it as attraction to multiple genders. 42% define it as attraction to one’s own gender and other genders. 41% define it as attraction to two or more genders. 36% define it as attraction regardless of gender. 11% define it as attraction to both sexes. 10% define it as attraction to two genders. 6% of respondents didn’t have a clear definition of bisexuality. 1% of respondents indicated other definitions

When asked to define their bisexuality specifically: 42% of respondents defined their bisexuality as attraction to all genders. 33% defined it as attraction regardless of gender. 28% defined it as attraction to one’s own gender and others. 25% defined it as attraction to multiple genders. 19% defined it as attraction to two or more genders. 9% defined it as attraction to both sexes. 5% defined it as attraction to two genders. 5% of respondents didn’t have a clear definition of their own bisexuality. 4% of respondents gave other definitions of their own bisexuality.

More than 99% of respondents believe that bisexual people can be attracted to binary transgender people. More than 99% of respondents believe that bisexual people can be attracted to nonbinary people.

90% of respondents do not believe that all bisexual people have a gender preference. 64% of respondents believe that all bisexual people experience attraction to different genders in different ways.

81% of respondents indicate they are attracted to all genders.

For respondents who were not attracted to all genders:

19% of respondents indicate being attracted to women. 18% of respondents indicate being attracted to men. 12% of respondents indicate being attracted to female-aligned nonbinary people. 11% of respondents indicate being attracted to male-aligned nonbinary people. 10% of respondents indicate being attracted to unaligned nonbinary people. 7% of respondents indicate being attracted to genderless or multi-gendered people. 2% of respondents indicate different gender-specific attraction, such as attraction to anyone who isn’t a cis man, or having a difficulty to answer due to not being sure or not knowing enough nonbinary people.

When asked about having a preference for one or more genders over others: 38% of respondents indicated having a preference for women. 35% of respondents indicated they do not have a preference based on gender. 26% of respondents indicated a preference for men. 25% of respondents indicated a preference for female-aligned nonbinary people. 20% of respondents indicated a preference for male-aligned nonbinary people. 18% of respondents indicated a preference for unaligned nonbinary people. 14% of respondents indicated a preference for genderless or multi-gendered people. 5% of respondents indicated their preference fluctuates, they have a preference based on presentation, they have a preference for people who are not cis, or they are uncertain of their preference, and other personal answers.

79% of respondents indicated they feel attraction differently based on gender. 21% indicated they do not.

3. Relationship to the LGBT+ community.

96% of respondents consider themselves part of the LGBT+ community. 4% do not.

When asked about their presence in real-life LGBT+ spaces: 40% of respondents have participated in one or a few LGBT+ events, but don’t have a regular presence in real-life LGBT+ spaces. 37% of respondents have not participated in LGBT+ real-life spaces but have several LGBT+ real-life friends. 14% of respondents are present and active in real-life LGBT+ spaces. 6% of respondents have not participated in real-life LGBT+ spaces and don’t have real-life LGBT+ friends. 3% of respondents gave other answers, many citing inability to participate in real-life LGBT+ spaces due to a lack of local LGBT+ events or living in homophobic areas.

When asked about their presence in online LGBT+ spaces: 50% of respondents follow/read/participate in a few LGBT+ online spaces but don’t have a regular presence in them. 27% of respondents are present and active in LGBT+ online spaces. 18% of respondents don’t participate in LGBT+ online spaces but have several LGBT+ online friends. 4% of respondents don’t participate in LGBT+ online spaces and don’t have LGBT+ online friends. Less than 1% of respondents gave a different answer - most weren’t sure of what constitutes an online LGBT+ spaces.

When asked about their relationship to the LGBT+ community (not repeated but also indicated at this question: percentage of people who do not identify as LGBT+): 37% of respondents feel strong solidarity with all of the LGBT+ community. 30% of respondents feel some solidarity with all of the LGBT+ community. 24% of respondents feel strong solidarity with some groups of the LGBT+ community, but not all. 7% of respondents don’t feel a strong solidarity with the rest of the LGBT+ community.

When asked if they feel a stronger sense of community with some parts of the LGBT+ community: 26% of respondents feel the same sense of community with all of the LGBT+ community.

51% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with transgender people. 49% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with nonbinary people. 44% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with lesbians. 25% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with gay men. 22% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people. 16% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with asexual/aromantic people. Most “other” responses included wanting to indicate a stronger sense of community with bisexual people over others (this was not an answer on the survey because it was assumed that bisexual people have community with themselves). Other “other” responses included LGBT+ people of color and intersex people.

When asked if they felt a weaker or no sense of community with some LGBT+ groups: 25% indicated they feel the same amount of community with all LGBT+ groups.

46% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with asexual/aromantic people. 36% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people. 28% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with gay men. 16% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with lesbians. 7% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with nonbinary people. 5% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with transgender people. 3% of respondents included other responses, with a prevalence of cisgender people (who were not an option because cisgender people are not an LGBT+ group).

When asked how they feel their bisexuality is treated in LGBT+ spaces (online or offline): 43% of respondents feel somewhat heard, respected and supported. 29% of respondents feel they are somewhat erased, disrespected or not shown support. 15% of respondents feel they are not heard, respected or supported enough. 8% of respondents feel very heard, respected and supported. 4% of respondents feel extremely erased, disrespected or not shown support. 2% of respondents gave other answers, with a prevalence for being closeted, and not talking about their bisexuality in LGBT+ spaces.

When asked about their experience of biphobia within real-life LGBT+ spaces: 52% of respondents did not have enough experience with real-life LGBT+ spaces to form an opinion. 16% of respondents have never felt biphobia in real-life LGBT+ spaces.

25% of respondents felt their bisexuality was erased. 16% have been made to feel that their acceptance in real-life LGBT+ spaces was conditional because of their bisexuality. 14% have been spoken over or shut down about their bisexuality. 9% have been insulted or mocked for their bisexuality.

2% of respondents gave other responses, including several experiences of biphobia that did not fit under the offered answers.

When asked if they had experienced biphobia in online LGBT+ spaces: 24% of respondents don’t have enough experience with online LGBT+ spaces to form an opinion. 14% of respondents have never experienced biphobia in online LGBT+ spaces.

43% of respondents have felt their bisexuality was erased in LGBT+ spaces. 31% have been made to feel that their acceptance in online LGBT+ spaces was conditional because of their bisexuality. 26% have been spoken over or shut down about their bisexuality. 20% have been mocked or insulted for their bisexuality.

4% of respondents gave other answers, including experiences of biphobia that did not fit under the offered answers.

Hundreds of respondents gave a personal answer when asked if they’d like to say more about their experiences in the LGBT+ community. A lot of these answers include talk about their experiences with biphobia and bi erasure in the LGBT+ community. These answers are available in the survey’s responses.

4. Bisexuality and biphobia outside the LGBT+ community.

When asked whether they were out as bisexual in real life: 58% of respondents are out to their close friends. 42% are out to everyone significant enough to warrant coming out to. 28% are out to siblings. 27% are out to casual friends. 25% are out to their parents. 13% are out to their coworkers or classmates. 10% are out to other family members.

13% are out online, but not in real life. 2% are not out to anyone, online or in real life.

When asked whether they were out to their significant other: 58% of respondents indicated they do not currently have a significant other. 40% of respondents have a significant other who knows they are bisexual. 1% of respondents have a significant other and are not out to them as bisexual. Less than 1% of respondents have more than one significant other, and are out as bisexual to one or more but not all.

When asked how their bisexuality was received by the people they are out to (note: this question asked to check all that applies to all people respondents are out to. It is possible for respondents to both check that they feel supported and that they do not feel supported, if different people have responded differently to their bisexuality.):

47% of respondents feel very supported by the people they are out to. 46% of respondents feel somewhat supported by the people they are out to. 23% feel supported by friends, but not family. 16% answered that they people they are out to ignore their bisexuality or don’t believe it is real. 5% indicated that their being out is a source of stress, harassment or mockery from the people they are out to. 5% indicated they don’t feel supported or respected by the people they are out to. 1% indicated that their being out is a source of violence or abuse. Less than 1% feel they are supported by their family, but not their friends.

9% of respondents gave other responses about the reception of their bisexuality by the people in their life.

When asked if their significant was also bisexual (not repeated here: percentage of respondents who do not have a significant other): 19% of respondents indicated their significant other is not bisexual. 18% of respondents indicated their significant other is also bisexual. 3% of respondents are not sure whether their significant other is bisexual. 2% of respondents have more than one significant other, with one or more, but not all being bisexual.

When asked how their current significant other received their bisexuality (not repeated here: percentage of respondents who do not have a significant other or are not out to them): 36% indicate their current significant other is very supportive of their bisexuality. 4% indicate their significant other is somewhat supportive of their bisexuality. Less than 1% indicate their significant other has accused them of cheating because of their bisexuality. Less than 1% indicate their significant other has made them feel that the respondent’s bisexuality is less valid or moral than their sexuality. Less than 1% indicate their significant other has made them feel ashamed of their bisexuality. Less than 1% indicate their significant other is angered or offended by their bisexuality, or finds it threatening. Less than 1% indicate their significant other doesn’t want them to talk about their bisexuality or seems ashamed of it. Less than 1% indicate their significant other doesn’t believe in their bisexuality. Less than 1% indicate their significant other uses their bisexuality to coerce them into sexual acts they do not want. Less than 1% indicate their significant other is not supportive of their bisexuality. 2% of respondents gave other answers about the reception of their bisexuality by their significant other, such as mentioning that their partner became more supportive with time or that they don’t discuss their bisexuality with their partner.

When asked how their bisexuality was received by significant others in past relationships: 28% of respondents have never had a significant other in the past.

29% of respondents had past significant others who were very supportive of their bisexuality. 15% had past significant others who were somewhat supportive of their bisexuality. 14% were never out to any past significant others. 9% have been accused of cheating because of their bisexuality. 9% had past significant others who did not want them to talk about their bisexuality. 9% had past significant others who did not believe in their bisexuality. 9% had past significant others who did used their bisexuality to coerce them into sexual acts they did not want. 8% had past significant others who made them feel that the respondent’s bisexuality was less valid or moral than theirs. 8% had past significant others who were angered, offended, or threatened by their bisexuality. 8% had past significant others who made them feel ashamed of their bisexuality. 7% had past significant others who were not supportive of their bisexuality. 3% had past significant others who mocked, harassed, insulted, beat, or otherwise abused them because of their bisexuality.

8% of respondents gave other responses about their experiences with past partners, including only being out to some partners, not identifying as bisexual in past relationships, as well as other experiences of biphobia from past significant others. 3% chose the “other” reply but did not write specifics.

When asked whether, regardless of the perpetrators (this question included strangers), they had experienced any of the following:

76% of respondents indicated their bisexuality was treated as a phase, a lie, or a cry for attention. 75% of respondents indicated their bisexuality was treated as a curiosity or a joke. 47% of respondents have been mocked, harassed or insulted on the basis of their bisexuality. 39% of respondents indicated their bisexuality was treated as a sexual fetish or that they were expected to participate in sexual acts they did not want because of their bisexuality. 21% have been sexually harassed on the basis of their bisexuality. 8% have faced sexual violence other than rape on the basis of their bisexuality. 7% have faced violence on the basis of their bisexuality. 5% have been raped on the basis of their bisexuality. 6% of respondents gave other answers, including experiences of biphobia that did not fit the offered answers.

5. Personal relationship to bisexuality.

Respondents were asked to check all that apply to their current personal feelings about their bisexuality. 70% of respondents take pride in their bisexuality. 25% hide their bisexuality from others. 20% want everyone to know they’re bisexual. 9% feel ashamed of their bisexuality. 4% wish they weren’t bisexual.

44% find that being bisexual informs their experiences in life. 42% find that being bisexual informs their relationships to others. 39% say that being bisexual is a huge part of their identity. 26% say that being bisexual isn’t a very important or defining part of them - it’s just one thing among others.

52% say that if they could choose to be straight, they would still be bisexual. 42% say if they could choose to be gay, they would still be bisexual. 10% say if they could choose to be gay, they would. 3% say if they could choose to be straight, they would.

40% feel they’re “not bisexual enough”. 38% still question their bisexuality and are never sure they’re really bisexual. 29% feel they’re “not LGBT enough” because of their bisexuality. 16% find that bisexual feels like a dirty word, and they have a hard time calling themselves bisexual even though they know they are. 14% feel guilt because of their bisexuality.

5% of respondents gave other answers about their relationship to their bisexuality, including mentions of conflicting feelings about bisexuality.

Respondents were asked to check all that applied to their past feelings about their bisexuality: 56% have had a hard time accepting their bisexuality and questioned themselves constantly. 54% have had a hard time admitting that they were bisexual, to themselves or others. 36% struggled with the bisexual label, felt like bisexual was a dirty word, or tried to call themselves other labels to avoid saying “bisexual”. 35% have been ashamed of their bisexuality. 31% have wished they weren’t bisexual. 30% have identified as pansexual/omnisexual/polysexual before realizing they were bisexual. 28% have identifiedd as a gay man or a lesbian before realizing they were bisexual. 26% have known they were bisexual as soon as they knew bisexuality existed. 20% have been proud of their bisexuality ever since they realized they were bisexual.

8% of respondents gave other answers about their past feelings about their bisexuality.

Respondents were asked if they identifiedd as another orientation other than straight before identifying as bisexual, and if so, why. 24% of respondents have only identified as bisexual.

31% say they had a preference for the same/similar gender and felt it made them gay/a lesbian. 26% say they were afraid to accept their different-gender attraction due to heteronormative pressures, trauma, or other reasons. 26% say they were afraid to accept their same-gender attraction due to homophobia, trauma, or other reasons. 26% say they identified as another sexuality because they believed bisexuality wasn’t inclusive enough. 23% say they were afraid to identify as bisexual due to stereotypes or stigma against bisexuality. 20% say they didn’t know any bisexual people and didn’t have an idea of what bisexuality could be. 17% say they were pressured by others to identify as another LGBT+ identity. 16% say they didn’t fit stereotypes about bisexuality and thought it meant they weren’t bisexual. 11% say they believed they weren’t bisexual because they didn’t have a gender preference or didn’t experience attraction differently based on gender. 5% say they believed bisexuality wasn’t real.

9% of respondents gave other responses about identifying as another non-straight orientation. 4% chose the “other” reply but did not specify a response.

6. Bisexuality and gender.

When asked whether their bisexuality informs their gender identity:

44% of respondents said their bisexuality doesn’t inform their gender. 26% say they feel a connection between their nonbinary identity and their bisexuality. 26% say they feel more connected to their gender because of their bisexuality. 20% say their bisexuality and their gender are inextricably linked. 11% say they feel less connected to their gender because of their bisexuality. 5% of respondents gave other responses about the relationship between their gender and their bisexuality.

When asked whether their bisexuality informs their gender presentation:

47% of respondents said their bisexuality does not inform their gender presentation. 34% say they present in a way that they feel reflects their bisexuality. 20% say their gender presentation is linked to their same-gender attraction. 20% say their gender and their bisexuality are inextricably linked, and so is their gender presentation. 9% say their gender presentation is linked to their different-gender attraction. 5% of respondents gave other answers about their relationship between their bisexuality and their gender presentation.

When asked whether they consider themselves gender non-conforming: 46% of respondents said they are GNC. 45% of respondents said they are not GNC. 9% of respondents gave other answers (most of them uncertain of whether they were GNC, or saying they are GNC sometimes).

When asked whether their gender non-conformity was linked to their bisexuality (not repeated here: percentage of respondents who are not gender non-conforming):

22% are GNC, but it isn’t linked to their bisexuality. 21% say they’re GNC because their bisexuality and their experience of gender are inextricably linked. 15% are GNC because it’s their way of expressing their sexuality. 9% are GNC to signal interest to potential same-gender partners. 6% of respondents gave other responses about the link between their gender non-conformity and their bisexuality.

When asked whether they had more to say on the relation between their gender and their sexuality, hundreds of respondents wrote personal answers, often discussing a shifting or fluid relationship to their gender and presentation linked to their bisexuality. These answers are available in the survey responses.

7. LGBT+ terminology and privileges.

10% of respondents use the term “monosexual” to talk about people only attracted to one gender. 22% believe in monosexual privilege.

13% use the term “straight-passing” to describe bisexual people in M/F relationships. 27% believe in straight-passing privilege.

12% believe lesbians have privilege over bisexual people. 82% do not believe lesbians have privilege over bisexual people. 6% had other answers, with a prevalence for feeling lesbians sometimes have privilege over bisexual people, or that it depends on the situation and circumstances.

18% believe gay men have privilege over bisexual people. 77% believe gay men do not have privilege over bisexual people. 6% had other answers, with the same tendency towards the idea circumstancial privilege as the previous question.

5% believe bisexual people have privilege over lesbians. 91% feel bisexual people do not have privilege over lesbians. 4% gave other answers, with the same tendency towards the idea of circumstancial privilege as previous questions. Several indicate feeling that bisexual people do have privilege when in M/F relationship.

5% believe bisexual people have privilege over gay men 92% feel bisexual people do not have privilege over gay men 3% gave other answers, with the same tendency towards the idea of circumstancial privilege as previous questions. Several indicate feeling that bisexual people do have privilege when in M/F relationship.

(Note: all questions about privilege indicated that the respondent must give their feelings on whether a group experiences privilege over another based on sexuality alone, not on gender.)

When asked whether they believe terms like twink/bear/etc are exclusive to gay men: 33% of respondents do not have an opinion.

49% believe these terms include bisexual men. 8% believe bisexual men can call themselves these terms only when they are in M/M relationships. 7% believe these terms are exclusive to gay men. 3% gave other answers.

When asked whether they believe the terms butch/femme are exclusive to lesbians:

21% of respondents do not have an opinion.

47% believe these terms include bisexual women. 19% believe these terms are exclusive to lesbians. 9% believe bisexual women can call themselves these terms only when they are in F/F relationships. 5% gave other answers.

When asked how they feel about the terms stag/doe:

28% of respondents do not know these terms. 25% have a neutral opinion.

25% don’t like the terms, but respect people using them. 17% like the terms, but do not use them. 10% find these terms offensive or dehumanizing. 3% like the terms and use them. 5% gave other answers.

When asked how they feel about the terms knight/mage: 56% of respondents do not know these terms. 15% have a neutral opinion.

16% don’t like the terms, but respect people using them. 10% like the terms, but do not use them. 5% find the terms offensive or dehumanizing. 2% like the terms and use them. 4% gave other answers.

When asked whether they believe bisexual people can call themselves gay: 71% say bisexual people can always call themselves gay. 20% say bisexual people can call themselves gay, but only in the context of same-gender relationships or attraction. 3% said bisexual people cannot call themselves gay. 1% said bisexual people can only call themselves gay when they aren’t in an M/F relationship. 5% gave other answers, often saying they have no opinion or don’t care, or that bisexual people can call themselves gay but it is confusing or erases their bisexuality.

When asked whether they’d like to say more about LGBT+ terms and privilege between LGBT+ people, hundreds of people gave personal answers. They are available in the survey responses.

8. Bisexual stereotypes and misconceptions.

When asked whether they feel a pressure not to conform to stereotypes about bisexual people: 40% of respondents say they do not feel pressure to not conform to stereotypes.

26% say they genuinely do not conform to any stereotypes about bisexuality. 19% say they lie about or hide their attraction to some genders or people to avoid conforming to stereotypes. 17% say they lie about or hide their interest in some sexual acts. 14% say they lie about or hide their interest in non-monogamy. 14% say they lie about or hide their interest in threesomes. 12% say they lie about or hide their gender preference. 5% say they avoid dressing or presenting in some ways to avoid fitting stereotypes.

16% say they call themselves “slutty”, a “bihet”, a “traitor”, or other instults targeted at bisexual people to reclaim them. 11% say they are open about their sexuality and interest in sex because they have been made to feel guilty about it due to their bisexuality. 8% say they purposefully fit stereotypes about bisexuality to rebel against the pressure to not fit them. 4% say they are open about their non-monogamy because they have been made to feel guilty about it due to their bisexuality.

4% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked whether they are polyamorous: 64% of respondents say they are not. 18% say they might be, but they are afraid to explore it due to stigma against polyamorous people. 16% say they are polyamorous. 12% say they might be, but they are afraid to explore it due to stigma against bisexual polyamorous people.

When asked whether they had ever cheated on a partner: 90% of respondents said they had not. 7% of respondents said they had. 3% gave an answer saying that they had, but indicated specific circumstances (it was a very long time ago, it was emotional cheating but they didn’t act on it, they were in an abusive relationship…).

When asked whether they had been approached for a threesome by a couple, when they had made no indication of interest in threesomes, being open to sexual advances, or interest in the people approaching them: 71% said they had not been approached for an unwanted threesome. 22% said they had, and found it upsetting. 7% said they had, but didn’t mind it. 5% gave other answers (often detailing experiences with unwarranted sexual advances).

When asked whether they had been assumed to be “available for sex” due to their bisexuality: 62% said they had not (several said “no” in the “other” answers, and said it was because they are not out). 36% said they had. 2% gave other answers, often saying they weren’t sure or didn’t know whether it was due to their bisexuality or other factors.

Out of 1252 women or female aligned people: 51% have never been told they are “available to men” due to their bisexuality. 42% have been told they are “available to men” and found it offensive. 5% consider themselves available to men. 2% have been told they are “available to men” and did not find it offensive.

Several individuals who do not identify as women or female-aligned have indicated that this has happened to them because they used to identify as women or female-aligned or are misgendered as women - most found it offensive.

Out of 486 men/male-aligned people: 62% say they have never been assimilated to straight men and/or benefit from straight men’s privileges. 35% say they have been assimilated to straight men and/or told they benefit from straight men’s privileges, and found this offensive. 2% say they have been assimilated to straight men and/or told theybenefit from straight men’s privileges, but did not find this offensive. Less than 1% (5 individuals) thought they are basically the same as a straight man.

5 men/male-aligned individuals said they believe they have not experienced this specifically because they are trans and are misgendered as women.

When asked whether, regardless of their gender, it was assumed that respondents were primarily or only attracted to men, and that their attraction to other genders was either fake, or unimportant and shallow:

71% said they had experienced this. 27% said they had not experienced this. 2% gave other responses, such as being unsure or detailing experiences with this stereotype.

Out of 482 men/male-aligned people: 41% have been assumed to be “really gay” and lying about their attraction to women. 55% have not faced this assumption. 4% gave other responses, with many expressing that this does not happen to them because they are misgendered as women, or that they’re not sure whether this has happened..

Several people who are not men/male-aligned indicated this happened to them when they previously identified as men or because they are misgendered as men.

Out of 1271 women/female-aligned people: 75% have been assumed to be “really straight”, or that their interest in women is just a phase, a sexual fetish, or experimenting. 25% have not faced this assumption. Less than 1% used the “other” answers to indicate they have faced the opposite assumption: they have been assumed to really be lesbians. Less than 1% gave other answers (mostly uncertainty).

Several people who are not women or female-aligned say they have faced this assumption when they previously identified as women/female-aligned or because they are misgendered as women.

When asked whether they have been made to feel that identifying as bisexual was regressive or less inclusive than other sexualities:

72% of respondents said they had. 26% said they had not. 3% said they had been told this but did not internalize it, or that they had not personally been told this but had witnessed this sentiment.

When asked whether they had been told that identifying as bisexual meant they were prejudiced against trans and nonbinary people: 73% of respondents said they had. 25% said they had not. 2% said they had not been directly told this, but had seen this being said.

Out of 919 trans and/or nonbinary people: 63% were made to feel that they could not be bisexual because “bisexuality doesn’t include trans people”. 37% were not made to feel this way. Less than 1% gave other answers, such as that they had heard or been told this but did not internalize it, they did not identify as trans or nonbinary when they were told this, or that they hadn’t identified as trans or nonbinary long enough to have experienced this.

When asked whether they had been made to feel or told that they should identify as a different label because of the way they experience bisexuality: 29% of respondents said they had not.

63% of respondents said they had been told they should identify as pansexual/omnisexual/polysexual instead. 19% said they had been told they should identify as asexual/aromantic/greysexual/demisexual/etc instead. 15% said they had been told they should identify as a lesbian instead. 6% said they had been told they should identify as a gay man instead. 6% gave other answers as to their experience being pushed to not identify as bisexual, which are available in the survey results.

To start off with, a disclaimer: any study cannot stand on its own. The scientific method requires a study to be repeated multiple times to be able to claim its results as legitimate. Moreover, this survey concerns not the entire bisexual community, but a very small portion of bisexual people, specifically ones active on Tumblr who had access to and were interested in the survey. For these reasons, anything found in this survey can be interpreted as nothing more than an indication or observation on a small sample of the bisexual community. It may be useful to observe trends or tendencies in the bisexual community on Tumblr but cannot speak for or establish facts about the entire bisexual community. To reflect this, I will use the term “respondent” to identify a person who took the survey, rather than making any generalities by using wording like “x% of bisexual people…”.

A few other things:

Many questions included the possibility for respondents to check all that applied to their beliefs or experiences.

I’ll give a link to the spreadsheet containing all answers to the study at the bottom of the post, so you may read through it if you so wish. Multiple people made use of the “other (specify)” and “is there anything more you’d like to say” answers to type personal thoughts or give details on their answers, those are available on the spreadsheet.

Many of the answers in “other (specify)” fit under already existing answers. In that case, I’ll count them as part of the statistics on the larger answer. (For example: people who answered “have you ever cheated on a partner?” with “other” and typed “I’ve never had a partner” will be counted under “no”). I’ll take specific note of the “other” answers when they don’t fit under an existing answer, or when they give context or information that is relevant and should not be left out.

I’m rounding up most of the percentages given here because the survey is still going, therefore the exact decimal numbers are constantly slightly changing (so for example a percentage might go from 21.8% to 22% while I’m typing this). Note that those results seem to remain accurate throughout time: I wrote down percentages on demographics at 600 responses, then now again at 1200, but no percentage has changed by more than 2%.

Table of contents:

1. Demographics (contains details of age, gender, ethnicity, and other factors about the survey. This section should be considered carefully before making any observations on the results of the survey, especially the gender disparity.)

2. Definitions of bisexuality (contains discussions of how individuals define bisexuality in general, their own bisexuality personally, as well as questions about different gender-based attraction).

3. Relationship to the LGBT+ community (explores presence in LGBT+ spaces, experiences of biphobia within LGBT+ spaces, and sense of community with other LGBT+ groups).

4. Bisexuality and biphobia outside the LGBT+ community (explores respondents’ experiences of their bisexuality in every day life out of LGBT+ spaces, in their family, social circles, and intimate relationships, as well as experiences with biphobia.)

5. Personal relationship to bisexuality (this section discusses how individuals live their relationship to their bisexuality, bisexual pride, internalized biphobia, and the process of identifying as bisexual throughout time.)

6. Bisexuality and gender (explores how bisexuality relates to gender identity, gender presentation, and gender non-conformity.)

7. LGBT+ terms and privileges (goes into questions of lateral oppression as well as the right to use some LGBT+ terms and feelings about bi-specific terms).

8. Bisexual stereotypes and misconceptions (explores respondents’ relationships to stereotypes about bisexuality, as well as what stereotypes respondents have seen applied to themselves.)

1. Demographics

A majority of the respondents were older teens or adults, with the main age demographics being 20 to 25 (45%) and 16 to 19 (35%). 12% of respondents were aged 26 to 35. 5% were 13 to 15. About 2% were over 35. No respondents were under 13.

Most respondents have identified as bisexual for 2 to 10 years: 27% for 3 to 5 years, 26% from 5 to 10 years, and 22% from 2 to 3 years. 10% have identified as bisexual for 6 months to a year, and 1% have identified as bisexual for less than a month. 8% have identified as bisexual for 10 to 20 years, and 1% for more than 20 years.

44% of respondents identified as women. 12% identified as men. 15% identify as nonbinary and female-aligned. 9% identified as nonbinary and male-aligned. 17% of respondents identified as nonbinary and unaligned or multi-gendered. The remaining participants indicated identifying as neither women, men, nor nonbinary, which included people with genders other than woman or man who didn’t use the term nonbinary, people questioning or unsure of their gender, and people with culturally specific genders who did not identify as nonbinary.

48% of respondents identified as cisgender. 34% identify as transgender. 17% identify as neither (note: the survey specified that this option was only for non-binary people who don’t identify as cisgender nor transgender, and does not account for cisgender people who don’t like the word cisgender).

97% of respondents indicated they were not intersex. 2% preferred not to say whether they were intersex. Less than 1% of respondents indicated they were intersex.

72% of respondents are white. Other ethnicities include people mixed with white (16%), Asian people (all parts of Asia confounded, 9%, with smaller percentages based on the region), black people (6%), ethnically Jewish people (5%), Native Americans (4%), and people uncertain of their ethnic background (2%). 2% of respondents identified their ethnicity as Latine, Hispanic, or mestizo/a. Other percentages were under 1%.

12% of respondents identified as Hispanic or Latine.

30% of respondents are middle class. 25% are low income/working class. 23% are lower middle class. 14% are upper middle class. 4% of respondents live in poverty. Less than 1% of respondents are upper class. 4% preferred not to indicate their economic background or weren’t sure of what they’d qualify as.

21% of respondents are disabled.

81% of respondents are mentally ill.

71% of respondents live in North America. 21% live in Europe. 5% live in Oceania. 2% live in South America. 1% live in Asia. Less than 1% live in Africa. Less than 1% live in the Caribbean.

2. Defining bisexuality.

When asked to define bisexuality in general:

50% of respondents define bisexuality as attraction to all genders.

44% define it as attraction to multiple genders.

42% define it as attraction to one’s own gender and other genders.

40% define it as attraction to two or more genders.

37% define it as attraction regardless of gender.

10% define it as attraction to both sexes.

8% define it as attraction to two genders.

5% of respondents didn’t have a clear definition of bisexuality.

1% of respondents indicated other definitions

When asked to define their bisexuality specifically:

43% of respondents defined their bisexuality as attraction to all genders.

34% defined it as attraction regardless of gender.

29% defined it as attraction to one’s own gender and others.

24% defined it as attraction to multiple genders.

19% defined it as attraction to two or more genders.

8% defined it as attraction to both sexes.

5% defined it as attraction to two genders.

5% of respondents didn’t have a clear definition of their own bisexuality.

2% of respondents gave other definitions of their own bisexuality.

More than 99% of respondents believe that bisexual people can be attracted to binary transgender people.

More than 99% of respondents believe that bisexual people can be attracted to nonbinary people.

91% of respondents do not believe that all bisexual people have a gender preference.

62% of respondents believe that all bisexual people experience attraction to different genders in different ways.

83% of respondents indicate they are attracted to all genders.

For respondents who were not attracted to all genders:

18% of respondents indicate being attracted to women.

16% of respondents indicate being attracted to men.

11% of respondents indicate being attracted to female-aligned nonbinary people.

11% of respondents indicate being attracted to male-aligned nonbinary people.

10% of respondents indicate being attracted to unaligned nonbinary people.

7% of respondents indicate being attracted to genderless or multi-gendered people.

1% of respondents indicate different gender-specific attraction, such as attraction to anyone who isn’t a cisgender man, or having a difficulty to answer due to not being sure or not knowing enough nonbinary people.

When asked about having a preference for one or more genders over others:

38% of respondents indicated having a preference for women.

35% of respondents indicated they do not have a preference based on gender.

26% of respondents indicated a preference for female-aligned nonbinary people.

26% of respondents indicated a preference for men.

20% of respondents indicated a preference for male-aligned nonbinary people.

18% of respondents indicated a preference for unaligned nonbinary people.

14% of respondents indicated a preference for genderless or multi-gendered people.

5% of respondents indicated their preference fluctuates, they have a preference based on presentation, they have a preference for people who are not cisgender, or they are uncertain of their preference, and other personal answers.

78% of respondents indicated they feel attraction differently based on gender.

3. Relationship to the LGBT+ community.

96% of respondents consider themselves part of the LGBT+ community. 4% do not.

When asked about their presence in real-life LGBT+ spaces:

40% of respondents have participated in one or a few LGBT+ events, but don’t have a regular presence in real-life LGBT+ spaces.

37% of respondents have not participated in LGBT+ real-life spaces but have several LGBT+ real-life friends.

15% of respondents are present and active in real-life LGBT+ spaces.

6% of respondents have not participated in real-life LGBT+ spaces and don’t have real-life LGBT+ friends.

2% of respondents gave other answers, many citing inability to participate in real-life LGBT+ spaces due to a lack of local LGBT+ events or living in homophobic areas.

When asked about their presence in online LGBT+ spaces:

50% of respondents follow/read/participate in a few LGBT+ online spaces but don’t have a regular presence in them.

28% of respondents are present and active in LGBT+ online spaces.

18% of respondents don’t participate in LGBT+ online spaces but have several LGBT+ online friends.

4% of respondents don’t participate in LGBT+ online spaces and don’t have LGBT+ online friends.

When asked about their relationship to the LGBT+ community (not repeated but also indicated at this question: percentage of people who do not identify as LGBT+):

37% of respondents feel strong solidarity with all of the LGBT+ community.

31% of respondents feel some solidarity with all of the LGBT+ community.

23% of respondents feel strong solidarity with some groups of the LGBT+ community, but not all.

7% of respondents don’t feel a strong solidarity with the rest of the LGBT+ community.

When asked if they feel a stronger sense of community with some parts of the LGBT+ community:

23% of respondents feel the same sense of community with all of the LGBT+ community.

53% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with transgender people.

50% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with nonbinary people.

47% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with lesbians.

25% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with gay men.

20% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people.

16% of respondents feel a stronger sense of community with asexual/aromantic people.

Most “other” responses included wanting to indicate a stronger sense of community with bisexual people over others (this was not an answer on the survey because this question aimed at observing the relationship between bisexual people and other LGBT+ groups). Other “other” responses included LGBT+ people of color and intersex people.

When asked if they felt a weaker or no sense of community with some LGBT+ groups:

22% indicated they feel the same amount of community with all LGBT+ groups.

50% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with asexual/aromantic people.

42% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with pansexual/polysexual/omnisexual people.

29% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with gay men.

15% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with lesbians.

6% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with nonbinary people.

4% of respondents indicated they feel weaker or no community with transgender people.

3% of respondents included other responses, with a prevalence of cisgender people (who were not an option because cisgender people are not an LGBT+ group).

When asked how they feel their bisexuality is treated in LGBT+ spaces (online or offline):

42% of respondents feel somewhat heard, respected and supported.

30% of respondents feel they are somewhat erased, disrespected or not shown support.

17% of respondents feel they are not heard, respected or supported enough.

7% of respondents feel very heard, respected and supported.

4% of respondents feel extremely erased, disrespected or not shown support.

2% of respondents gave other answers, with a prevalence for being closeted, and not talking about their bisexuality in LGBT+ spaces.

When asked about their experience of biphobia within real-life LGBT+ spaces:

52% of respondents did not have enough experience with real-life LGBT+ spaces to form an opinion.

16% of respondents have never felt biphobia in real-life LGBT+ spaces.

24% of respondents felt their bisexuality was erased.

16% have been made to feel that their acceptance in real-life LGBT+ spaces was conditional because of their bisexuality.

14% have been spoken over or shut down about their bisexuality.

9% have been insulted or mocked for their bisexuality.

2% of respondents gave other responses, including several experiences of biphobia that did not fit under the offered answers.

When asked if they had experienced biphobia in online LGBT+ spaces:

23% of respondents don’t have enough experience with online LGBT+ spaces to form an opinion.

14% of respondents have never experienced biphobia in online LGBT+ spaces.

44% of respondents have felt their bisexuality was erased in LGBT+ spaces.

32% have been made to feel that their acceptance in online LGBT+ spaces was conditional because of their bisexuality.

27% have been spoken over or shut down about their bisexuality.

20% have been mocked or insulted for their bisexuality.

2% of respondents gave other answers, including experiences of biphobia that did not fit under the offered answers.

Hundreds of respondents gave a personal answer when asked if they’d like to say more about their experiences in the LGBT+ community. A lot of these answers include talk about their experiences with biphobia and bi erasure in the LGBT+ community. These answers are available in the survey’s responses.

4. Bisexuality and biphobia outside the LGBT+ community.

When asked whether they were out as bisexual in real life:

60% of respondents are out to their close friends.

41% are out to everyone significant enough to warrant coming out to.

28% are out to casual friends.

28% are out to siblings.

26% are out to their parents.

12% are out to their coworkers or classmates.

9% are out to other family members.

11% are out online, but not in real life.

2% are not out to anyone, online or in real life.

When asked whether they were out to their significant other:

59% of respondents indicated they do not currently have a significant other.

40% of respondents have a significant other who knows they are bisexual.

1% of respondents have a significant other and are not out to them as bisexual.

Less than 1% of respondents have more than one significant other, and are out as bisexual to one or more but not all.

When asked how their bisexuality was received by the people they are out to (note: this question asked to check all that applies to all people respondents are out to. It is possible for respondents to both report that they feel supported and that they do not feel supported, if different people have responded differently to their bisexuality.):

47% of respondents feel very supported by the people they are out to.

47% of respondents feel somewhat supported by the people they are out to.

23% feel supported by friends, but not family.

16% answered that they people they are out to ignore their bisexuality or don’t believe it is real.

5% indicated that their being out is a source of stress, harassment or mockery from the people they are out to.

5% indicated they don’t feel supported or respected by the people they are out to.

Less than 1% feel they are supported by their family, but not their friends.

6% of respondents gave other responses about the reception of their bisexuality by the people in their life.

When asked if their significant was also bisexual (not repeated here: percentage of respondents who do not have a significant other):

19% of respondents indicated their significant other is not bisexual.

18% of respondents indicated their significant other is also bisexual.

3% of respondents are not sure whether their significant other is bisexual.

2% of respondents have more than one significant other, with one or more, but not all being bisexual.

When asked how their current significant other received their bisexuality

(not repeated here: percentage of respondents who do not have a significant other or are not out to them):

36% indicate their current significant other is very supportive of their bisexuality.

4% indicate their significant other is somewhat supportive of their bisexuality.

1% indicate their significant other has accused them of cheating because of their bisexuality.

Less than 1% indicate their significant other has made them feel that the respondent’s bisexuality is less valid or moral than their sexuality.

Less than 1% indicate their significant other has made them feel ashamed of their bisexuality.

Less than 1% indicate their significant other is angered or offended by their bisexuality, or finds it threatening.

Less than 1% indicate their significant other doesn’t want them to talk about their bisexuality or seems ashamed of it.

Less than 1% indicate their significant other doesn’t believe in their bisexuality.

Less than 1% indicate their significant other uses their bisexuality to coerce them into sexual acts they do not want.

Less than 1% indicate their significant other is not supportive of their bisexuality.

2% of respondents gave other answers about the reception of their bisexuality by their significant other, such as mentioning that their partner became more supportive with time or that they don’t discuss their bisexuality with their partner.

When asked how their bisexuality was received by significant others in past relationships:

27% of respondents have never had a significant other in the past.

30% of respondents had past significant others who were very supportive of their bisexuality.

15% had past significant others who were somewhat supportive of their bisexuality.

14% were never out to any past significant others.

10% have been accused of cheating because of their bisexuality.

9% had past significant others who did not want them to talk about their bisexuality.

9% had past significant others who did not believe in their bisexuality.

9% had past significant others who did used their bisexuality to coerce them into sexual acts they did not want.

8% had past significant others who made them feel that the respondent’s bisexuality was less valid or moral than theirs.

8% had past significant others who were angered, offended, or threatened by their bisexuality.

8% had past significant others who made them feel ashamed of their bisexuality.

6% had past significant others who were not supportive of their bisexuality.

3% had past significant others who mocked, harassed, insulted, beat, or otherwise abused them because of their bisexuality.

8% of respondents gave other responses about their experiences with past partners, including only being out to some partners, not identifying as bisexual in past relationships, as well as other experiences of biphobia from past significant others.

When asked whether, regardless of the perpetrators (this question included strangers), they had experienced any of the following:

76% of respondents indicated their bisexuality was treated as a phase, a lie, or a cry for attention.

75% of respondents indicated their bisexuality was treated as a curiosity or a joke.

50% of respondents have been mocked, harassed or insulted on the basis of their bisexuality.

39% of respondents indicated their bisexuality was treated as a sexual fetish or that they were expected to participate in sexual acts they did not want because of their bisexuality.

21% have been sexually harassed on the basis of their bisexuality.

8% have faced sexual violence other than rape on the basis of their bisexuality.

7% have faced violence on the basis of their bisexuality.

4% have been raped on the basis of their bisexuality.

4% of respondents gave other answers, including experiences of biphobia that did not fit the offered answers.

5. Personal relationship to bisexuality.

Respondents were asked to check all that apply to their current personal feelings about their bisexuality.

70% of respondents take pride in their bisexuality.

25% hide their bisexuality from others.

20% want everyone to know they’re bisexual.

8% feel ashamed of their bisexuality.

4% wish they weren’t bisexual.

46% find that being bisexual informs their experiences in life.

43% find that being bisexual informs their relationships to others.

40% say that being bisexual is a huge part of their identity.

25% say that being bisexual isn’t a very important or defining part of them - it’s just one thing among others.

53% say that if they could choose to be straight, they would still be bisexual.

42% say if they could choose to be gay, they would still be bisexual.

11% say if they could choose to be gay, they would.

3% say if they could choose to be straight, they would.

40% feel they’re “not bisexual enough”.

38% still question their bisexuality and are never sure they’re really bisexual.

29% feel they’re “not LGBT enough” because of their bisexuality.

16% find that bisexual feels like a dirty word, and they have a hard time calling themselves bisexual even though they know they are.

15% feel guilt because of their bisexuality.

4% of respondents gave other answers about their relationship to their bisexuality, including mentions of conflicting feelings about bisexuality.

Respondents were asked to check all that applied to their past feelings about their bisexuality:

57% have had a hard time accepting their bisexuality and questioned themselves constantly.

56% have had a hard time admitting that they were bisexual, to themselves or others.

38% struggled with the bisexual label, felt like bisexual was a dirty word, or tried to call themselves other labels to avoid saying “bisexual”.

37% have been ashamed of their bisexuality.

31% have wished they weren’t bisexual.

30% have identified as pansexual/omnisexual/polysexual before realizing they were bisexual.

29% have identified as a gay man or a lesbian before realizing they were bisexual.

24% have known they were bisexual as soon as they knew bisexuality existed.

19% have been proud of their bisexuality ever since they realized they were bisexual.

6% of respondents gave other answers about their past feelings about their bisexuality.

Respondents were asked if they identified as another orientation other than straight before identifying as bisexual, and if so, why.

24% of respondents have only identified as bisexual.

32% say they had a preference for the same/similar gender and felt it made them gay/a lesbian.

28% say they were afraid to accept their different-gender attraction due to heteronormative pressures, trauma, or other reasons.

28% say they were afraid to accept their same-gender attraction due to homophobia, trauma, or other reasons.

27% say they identified as another sexuality because they believed bisexuality wasn’t inclusive enough.

24% say they were afraid to identify as bisexual due to stereotype or stigma against bisexuality.

19% say they didn’t know any bisexual people and didn’t have an idea of what bisexuality could be.

17% say they were pressured by others to identify as another LGBT+ identity.

16% say they didn’t fit stereotypes about bisexuality and thought it meant they weren’t bisexual.

10% say they believed they weren’t bisexual because they didn’t have a gender preference or didn’t experience attraction differently based on gender.

5% say they believed bisexuality wasn’t real.

11% of respondents gave other responses about identifying as another non-straight orientation.

6. Bisexuality and gender.

When asked whether their bisexuality informs their gender identity:

42% of respondents said their bisexuality doesn’t inform their gender.

28% say they feel a connection between their nonbinary identity and their bisexuality.

26% say they feel more connected to their gender because of their bisexuality.

23% say their bisexuality and their gender are inextricably linked.

11% say they feel less connected to their gender because of their bisexuality.

3% of respondents gave other responses about the relationship between their gender and their bisexuality.

When asked whether their bisexuality informs their gender presentation:

45% of respondents said their bisexuality does not inform their gender presentation.

34% say they present in a way that they feel reflects their bisexuality.

22% say their gender presentation is linked to their same-gender attraction.

22% say their gender and their bisexuality are inextricably linked, and so is their gender presentation.

9% say their gender presentation is linked to their different-gender attraction.

3% of respondents gave other answers about their relationship between their bisexuality and their gender presentation.

When asked whether they consider themselves gender non-conforming:

47% of respondents said they are GNC.

45% of respondents said they are not GNC.

8% of respondents gave other answers (most of them uncertain of whether they were GNC, or saying they are GNC sometimes).

When asked whether their gender non-conformity was linked to their bisexuality (not repeated here: percentage of respondents who are not gender non-conforming):

23% say they’re GNC because their bisexuality and their experience of gender are inextricably linked.

21% are GNC, but it isn’t linked to their bisexuality.

16% are GNC because it’s their way of expressing their sexuality.

10% are GNC to signal interest to potential same-gender partners.

3% of respondents gave other responses about the link between their gender non-conformity and their bisexuality.

When asked whether they had more to say on the relation between their gender and their sexuality, over a hundred respondents wrote personal answers, often discussing a shifting or fluid relationship to their gender and presentation linked to their bisexuality. These answers are available in the survey responses.

7. LGBT+ terminology and privileges.

10% of respondents use the term “monosexual” to talk about people only attracted to one gender.

21% believe in monosexual privilege.

12% use the term “straight-passing” to describe bisexual people in M/F relationships. 26% believe in straight-passing privilege.

(Note: all questions about privilege indicated that the respondent must give their feelings on whether a group experiences privilege over another based on sexuality alone, not on gender.)

83% do not believe lesbians have privilege over bisexual people.

12% believe lesbians have privilege over bisexual people.

5% had other answers, with a prevalence for feeling lesbians sometimes have privilege over bisexual people, or that the question it depends on the situation and circumstances.

78% believe gay men do not have privilege over bisexual people.

17% believe gay men have privilege over bisexual people.

5% had other answers, with the same tendency towards the idea circumstantial privilege as the previous question.

91% feel bisexual people do not have privilege over lesbians.

5% believe bisexual people have privilege over lesbians.

4% gave other answers, with the same tendency towards the idea of circumstantial privilege as previous questions. Several indicate feeling that bisexual people do have privilege when in M/F relationship.

92% feel bisexual people do not have privilege over gay men.

5% believe bisexual people have privilege over gay men.

3% gave other answers, with the same tendency towards the idea of circumstantial privilege as previous questions. Several indicate feeling that bisexual people do have privilege when in M/F relationship.

When asked whether they believe terms like twink/bear/etc are exclusive to gay men:

34% of respondents do not have an opinion.

48% believe these terms include bisexual men.

9% believe bisexual men can call themselves these terms only when they are in M/M relationships.

6% believe these terms are exclusive to gay men.

3% gave other answers.

When asked whether they believe the terms butch/femme are exclusive to lesbians:

21% of respondents do not have an opinion.

45% believe these terms include bisexual women.

19% believe these terms are exclusive to lesbians.

10% believe bisexual women can call themselves these terms only when they are in F/F relationships.

5% gave other answers.

When asked how they feel about the terms stag/doe:

27% of respondents do not know these terms.

25% have a neutral opinion.

25% don’t like the terms, but respect people using them.

17% like the terms, but do not use them.

10% find these terms offensive or dehumanizing.

3% like the terms and use them.

5% gave other answers.

When asked how they feel about the terms knight/mage:

55% of respondents do not know these terms.

15% have a neutral opinion.

17% don’t like the terms, but respect people using them.

10% like the terms, but do not use them.

5% find the terms offensive or dehumanizing.

2% like the terms and use them.

4% gave other answers.

When asked whether they believe bisexual people can call themselves gay:

72% say bisexual people can always call themselves gay.

20% say bisexual people can call themselves gay, but only in the context of same-gender relationships or attraction.

3% said bisexual people cannot call themselves gay.

1% said bisexual people can only call themselves gay when they aren’t in an M/F relationship.

4% gave other answers, often saying they have no opinion or don’t care, or that bisexual people can call themselves gay but it is confusing or erases their bisexuality.

When asked whether they’d like to say more about LGBT+ terms and privilege between LGBT+ people, over a hundred people gave personal answers. They are available in the survey responses.

8. Bisexual stereotypes and misconceptions.

When asked whether they feel a pressure not to conform to stereotypes about bisexual people:

38% of respondents say they do not feel pressure to not conform to stereotypes.

27% say they genuinely do not conform to any stereotypes about bisexuality.

20% say they lie about or hide their attraction to some genders or people to avoid conforming to stereotypes.

17% say they lie about or hide their interest in some sexual acts.

15% say they lie about or hide their interest in non-monogamy.

14% say they lie about or hide their interest in threesomes.

13% say they lie about or hide their gender preference.

5% say they avoid dressing or presenting in some ways to avoid fitting stereotypes.

17% say they call themselves “slutty”, a “bihet”, a “traitor”, or other insults targeted at bisexual people to reclaim them.

11% say they are open about their sexuality and interest in sex because they have been made to feel guilty about it due to their bisexuality.

8% say they purposefully fit stereotypes about bisexuality to rebel against the pressure to not fit them.

4% say they are open about their non-monogamy because they have been made to feel guilty about it due to their bisexuality.

2% of respondents gave other answers.

When asked whether they are polyamorous:

66% of respondents say they are not.

18% say they might be, but they are afraid to explore it due to stigma against polyamorous people.

15% say they are polyamorous.

12% say they might be, but they are afraid to explore it due to stigma against bisexual polyamorous people.

When asked whether they had ever cheated on a partner:

91% of respondents said they had not.

7% of respondents said they had.

Less than 1% gave an answer saying that they had, but indicated specific circumstances (it was as a teenager, it was emotional cheating but they didn’t act on it, they were in an abusive relationship…).

When asked whether they had been approached for a threesome by a couple, when they had made no indication of interest in threesomes, being open to sexual advances, or interest in the people approaching them:

71% said they had not been approached for an unwanted threesome.

23% said they had, and found it upsetting.

7% said they had, but didn’t mind it.

3% gave other answers (often detailing experiences with unwarranted sexual advances).

When asked whether they had been assumed to be “available for sex” due to their bisexuality:

64% said they had not (several said “no” in the “other” answers, and said it was because they are not out).

36% said they had.

Less than 1% gave other answers, often saying they weren’t sure or didn’t know whether it was due to their bisexuality or other factors.

Out of 874 women or female aligned people:

51% have never been told they are “available to men” due to their bisexuality.

42% have been told they are “available to men” and found it offensive.

4% consider themselves available to men.

2% have been told they are “available to men” and did not find it offensive.

14 individuals who do not identify as women or female-aligned have indicated that this has happened to them because they used to identify as women or female-aligned or are misgendered as women - most found it offensive.

Out of 353 men/male-aligned people:

61% say they have never been assimilated to straight men and/or benefit from straight men’s privileges.

35% say they have been assimilated to straight men and/or benefit from straight men’s privileges, and found this offensive.

3% say they have been assimilated to straight men and/or benefit from straight men’s privileges, but did not find this offensive.

Less than 1% thought they are basically the same as a straight man.

5 men/male-aligned individuals said they believe they have not experienced this specifically because they are trans and are misgendered as women.

When asked whether, regardless of their gender, it was assumed that respondents were primarily or only attracted to men, and that their attraction to other genders was either fake, or unimportant and shallow:

71% said they had experienced this.

27% said they had not experienced this.

2% gave other responses, such as being unsure or detailing experiences with this stereotype.

Out of 346 men/male-aligned people:

36% have been assumed to be “really gay” and lying about their attraction to women.

57% have not faced this assumption.

2% have indicated they have not experienced this because they are misgendered as women.

1% gave other responses (mostly being uncertain of whether this had happened).

4 people who are not men/male-aligned indicated this happened to them when they previously identified as men or because they are misgendered as men.

Out of 908 women/female-aligned people:

74% have been assumed to be “really straight”, or that their interest in women is just a phase, a sexual fetish, or experimenting.

25% have not faced this assumption.

1% have faced the opposite assumption: they have been assumed to really be lesbians.

Less than 1% gave other answers (mostly uncertainty).

12 people who are not women or female-aligned say they have faced this assumption when they previously identified as women/female-aligned or because they are misgendered as women.

When asked whether they have been made to feel that identifying as bisexual was regressive or less inclusive than other sexualities:

73% of respondents said they had.

25% said they had not.

3% said they had been told this but did not internalize it, or that they had not personally been told this but had witnessed this sentiment.

When asked whether they had been told that identifying as bisexual meant they were prejudiced against trans and nonbinary people:

74% of respondents said they had.

25% said they had not.

2% said they had not been directly told this, but had seen this being said.

Out of 686 trans and/or nonbinary people:

71% were made to feel that they could not be bisexual because “bisexuality doesn’t include trans people”.

35% were not made to feel this way.

2% said they had been told this but did not internalize it.

Less than 1% said they did not identify as trans or nonbinary when they were told this, or that they hadn’t identified as trans or nonbinary long enough to have experienced this.

When asked whether they had been made to feel or told that they should identify as a different label because of the way they experience bisexuality:

29% of respondents said they had not.

63% of respondents said they had been told they should identify as pansexual/omnisexual/polysexual instead.

20% said they had been told they should identify as asexual/aromantic/greysexual/demisexual/etc instead.

16% said they had been told they should identify as a lesbian instead.

6% said they had been told they should identify as a gay man instead.

4% gave other answers as to their experience being pushed to not identify as bisexual, which are available in the survey results.

When asked whether there was anything else relevant to the survey that they wanted to say, over 100 respondents gave personal answers that are available in the survey results.