#bisexual issues

Note: I am using bisexual for the majority of this post. Bisexual, pansexual, and omnisexual people all experience biphobia and share most of the same experiences.

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What does monosexual mean? A monosexual person is anyone who likes one gender (plus non-binary people). Lesbians, gay men, heterosexual women, and heterosexual men are all monosexual. Monosexual is the opposite of MSPEC.

What is mononormativity? Mononormativity is a word similar to heteronormativity. It just means that in our society, it is the norm to be monosexual and many norms, beliefs, practices of activism, etc. only have monosexual people and the concept of monosexuality in mind. Mononormativity is why most biphobia exists. It's why bisexuals are often not believed about their sexuality, why bisexuality is seen as a phase, why bisexuals are told to pick a side, why bi women are seen as straight and bi men as gay, why bisexuals are denied asylum, etc.

Monosexual is a controversial term. Many people are uncomfortable with it, but there's no reason to be. There are a lot of claims and misinformation going around that I am going to debunk.

"It groups us in with our oppressors!"

If that's the case, so does allo, nonlesbian, nonbisexual, nongay, etc.

"Just say nonbisexual!"

Nonbisexual and monosexual are not synonymous. Nonbisexual includes lesbians, gay men, heterosexual women, heterosexual men, pansexuals, omnisexuals, and asexuals. Monosexual includes lesbians, gay men, heterosexual women, and heterosexual men. As mentioned earlier, monosexual is the opposite of MSPEC. Other MSPEC identities (pansexuals, ominsexuals, etc.) do not fall under the term monosexual. Monosexual is needed to talk about the specific experiences, discrimination, issues, and prejudice we face for being MSPEC.

Mono means one! It excludes non-binary people!"

Now this one is just hypocritical. Mono doesn't mean one gender just as bisexual doesn't mean two genders. Both terms are inclusive of non-binary people.

"People use it derogatorily!"

Some people do. And that's wrong. It is an academic term. It is not supposed to be used as a derogatory term. However, stop to think. Is this person using the term derogatorily or are they just calling you out on your mononormative way of thinking?

"Monosexual privilege doesn't exist. We're not you're oppressors!"

Monosexual privilege does not exist in the way you think it does. You are not privileged for being monosexual. However, you do have certain advantages because our society and the LGBTQ+ community is mononormative. It's like how I, a bisexual fem-presenting person in a relationship with a man, have an advantage in some situations over lesbians and bisexual women in relationships with other women. Because you are monosexual, you won't be told your sexuality isn't real. You won't be denied asylum because of your sexuality. You're less likely to be erased (i.e. calling two women in a relationship lesbians, calling the relationship a lesbian relationship, calling same sex marriage gay or lesbian marriage, etc.). You are less likely to be excluded from LGBTQ+ activism. And, unless you're a lesbian, you are less likely to be told your sexuality is a phase.

Now I'm not saying you've never experienced these issues! Lesbians definitely are erased and are usually not separated from gay men. However, I am speaking in a general sense.

"You just made the word up!"

Monosexual is an academic term that has been around since the late 19th/early 20th century. The source below is a great read if you're looking to learn more about the term.

"The term isn't needed!"

As I previously stated, the term is needed to talk about the specific discrimination, prejudice, issues, etc. we face for being MSPEC. Because society and the LGBTQ+ community is mononormative, MSPEC people have different experiences.