Intimate orientation proven fact that sex is binary, this one must either be homosexual or right./title> Rebecca Bodenheimer, PhD Previous new york Council Speaker Christine Quinn delivered the online world into a tailspin earlier in the day this w eek whenever she labeled actress and newly established gubernatorial prospect Cynthia Nixon a “unqualified lesbian”. The uproar so far has primarily dedicated to the salaciousness of governmental infighting between two queer females. However, what’s lacking is a review of Quinn for mislabeling Nixon as a lesbian. Nixon has known by by herself as bisexual, and glossing over this distinction is an obvious exemplory instance of bi erasure, or even the presumption that bisexuality just isn’t an identity that is real but quite simply an intermediate end regarding the intimate orientation train which has just two feasible locations: gay/lesbian and right. The apology did not relate to mislabeling Nixon’s stated sexual identity although Quinn later apologized for her comment. While bisexuality is actually a whole lot more noticeable in popular tradition in past times several years with an increase that is important bisexual figures on television in specific there are numerous stereotypes connected to the label. “On the fence,” “wishy washy,” “going through a phase”: they are all typical misconceptions about bi people. Sadly, a few of the stigma and bi erasure originates from the queer community, from self identified gay males and lesbians who don’t believe bisexuality can be an authentic identification. While they are marginalized with their intimate orientation, they continue steadily to reinforce the heteronormative indisputable fact that sex is binary, this one must either be homosexual or right. It’s interesting to compare the narrative about Nixon compared to that of Oregon Governor Kate Brown: whenever she ended up being elected the media identified her as bisexual, that I assume ended up being because of duplicated efforts on her behalf component to produce her identity that is sexual known. Nixon hasn’t been as clear about her chosen labels; yet, she’s been clear about her intimate and history that is romantic the truth that she’s enjoyed both women and men. One difference that is major both of these females is the fact that Brown is hitched to a guy while Nixon is married to a female. While this might not appear to be a difference that is relevant with regards to queer identity politics, it’s. Bi ladies hitched to guys are thought to be right, and because it’s not obvious from their choice of partner if they are interested in claiming their queerness publicly, must repeatedly come out to people who don’t know how they identify. Whilst the presumption of heterosexuality is certainly not astonishing, it shouldn’t be studied for awarded that a stand set for their intimate orientation. Bi individuals don’t have actually to be participating in romantic or intimate relationships with both genders on top of that in purchase to recognize as bi; in reality, I would personally reckon that most bi individuals come in monogamous relationships at any time. (Incidentally, the concept that most bi people are polyamorous is yet another major myth; non monogamy is practiced by folks of all intimate orientations.) Therefore, i will just assume Brown publicly identifies as bisexual since it’s the only means for her to claim her queerness. Nixon, having said that, is hitched to a lady and it is consequently thought by many people to be a lesbian. As bi ladies have traditionally stated, there is certainly ordinarily a stigma that is particular distinguishing as bi in the lesbian community: “she’ll make you for a man” the most typical stereotypes about bi ladies among lesbians, and reasons why numerous won’t consider dating bi ladies. Inside the LGBT community, then, Nixon has less explanation to wish to loudly claim her bisexuality, as she’d most likely be (and I’m certain she happens to be) derided by some lesbians as planning to retain some part of heterosexual privilege by maybe not “fully committing” into the label of lesbian. In the long run, it is certainly not concerning the words that are specific makes use of to recognize by by by herself. Most likely, numerous bi people prefer the word “queer” with regards to their self identification because it emphasizes their connections because of the bigger LGBT community; other people utilize various identity labels within various contexts. But, clearly mislabeling Nixon as a lesbian, as Quinn did, is a kind of erasure which also reinforces binary notions about sex. It’s high time we stopped considering sex being an either/or occurrence and started using bi people at their term, once we constitute definitely the biggest team in the LGBT community.