BI Identifying the Identity
BI Identifying the Identity
00 index
02
Defining Bisexuality
03
Testimonials
04
Bi Erasure
05
Conclusion
00
Sources
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Colophon
00 Table of Contents
Introduction
BI: Identify the Identity
01
I
01 intro
"You are free to exist and to explore as you truly are."
BI: Identify the Identity
Identity. Thought about simply, it’s the name on your state issued ID. Go deeper than that and it is what makes you an individual, what
drives you just a bit differently than every
other person in the universe. It’s a struggle
from the get go, things like sexuality make
up a large part of how you see yourself.
01 Introduction
identity
The prejudice against who you are or are not attracted
to is something that’s stood the test of time
and has only recently been improving.
Homosexual representation grows steadier
and steadier—but what about bisexuals? This
seemingly unknown phrase is dismissed at
every turn, by both homo and heterosexuals
alike. What, then, do you do when you’re
attracted to more than what the homo and
hetero labels give you? What is your identity?
2|3
ident
ity
02 Defin ing bise xuality
confuse
more genders. The latin prefix “bi” has been
incorrectly translated to meaning “two”, or just
men and women. It’s a widespread belief in
the bisexual community that the prefix “bi”
represents liking a gender like yourself, and
then others. This still communicates to the idea
of “two”, as the first your gender, and the second
is the other.
02 Defining Bisexuality
BI: Identify the Identity
The definition of bisexuality is the attraction to two or
Being bisexual does not make you confused or curious. You don’t have to decide on one or
the other. Bisexual is an umbrella term that
can open you up to a variety of labels and
other sexualities that do not make the
main stream. Something as complex as
human sexuality could never be so limited.
Not
“I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I
have in myself the potential to be attracted
romantically and/or sexually—to people of
more than one sex, and or gender, not
necessarily at the same time, not necessarily
in the same way, and not necessarily to the
same degree.” - Robyn Ochs, activist.
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"remember that your sexuality is more fluid than society would lead you to think."
bisexual with a girl. You can be bisexual
with someone who doesn’t conform to the
gender spectrum. If your relationship is with
the opposite gender, you are not a “non-
practicing bisexual”. If you’re in a relationship
with the same gender you are not “choosing
a side”. If you move on to a different gender after ending a relationship with the same
gender, you are not betraying the community.
ot
02 Defining Bisexuality
choosing side
BI: Identify the Identity
You can be a bisexual with a male, you can be a
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03 testi monials
BI: Identify the Identity 03 Testimonials
"You don't have to choose one side, straight or gay. Bi isn't a phase and you're attracted to whomever you're attracted to, there's no changing that."
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"embrace the path to finding just who you are and the perfect way to identify and express yourself."
BI: Identify the Identity 03 Testimonials
"The only thing I would change about my sexuality is how others treat me for it. I only wish I didn’t have to sacrifice feeling safe, feeling part of a community, and feeling I have anyone to confide in but myself."
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04 BI Erasure
"Bisexual Erasure (n.): the tendency to ignore, remove, falsify, or reexplain the evidence of bisexuality."
invisibility”—is “the tendency to ignore,
remove, falsify, or reexplain the evidence
of bisexuality in history, academia, news
media and other primary sources. In its most extreme form, bisexual erasure can include
denying that bisexuality exists.” Bisexual
erasure is a form of biphobia, which is an
aversion to bisexual people or pansexual
people based on negative stereotypes and
irrational fears.
Unfortunately, erasing bisexuality from history isn’t
the only place it happens. People today
continue to erase today’s bisexuals. A few
well know people who are known to be
bisexual: Drew Barrymore, Angelina Jolie,
David Bowie, Alfred Kinsey, Freddie Mercury,
Kurt Cobain, Anna Paquin, Amy Winehouse,
Billie Joe Armstrong, Megan Fox, Michelle
Rodriguez, Vanesse Carlton, Jillian Michaels,
Carrie Brownstein, Fergie, Margaret Cho,
Patrick Wolf, and Anne Frank.
04 Bi Erasure
BI: Identify the Identity
Bisexual erasure—also referred to as “bisexual
hobia
When a woman comes out as a bisexual, she is
often seen as promiscuous, a tease, or
simply “playing” and will eventually settle
down with a man. When a man comes
out as bisexual, he’s generally pushed under
the homosexual title. It’s import ant to
recognize that society is uncomfortable with
people who fall outside of monosexual titles.
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05 con clusion
as bisexual, but very few make it known. The
stigma attached to bisexuality has to be
corrected. There are individuals struggling,
trying to find something to identify with,
but they can’t be comfortable when the
label they resonate with isn’t treated
seriously. Bisexuality is a real and valid
sexuality. Your identity is valid.
05 Conclusion
vali
BI: Identify the Identity
A large percentage of people in the world identify
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G LAAD. N.p., 23 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Eisner, Shiri. Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution. N.p.: n.p.,
BI: Identify the Identity
Andre, Amy. “What Celebrate Bisexuality Day Means To Me.”
n.d. Print.
Fought, Lyndsey. “Bisexual Erasure: What It Is and How to Avoid It.” Positively Smitten Magazine. N.p., 2 May
2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
00 Sources
Goode, Morgan. “San Francisco Human Rights Commission
Approves Groundbreaking Report: “Bisexual
Invisibility: Impacts and Recommendations””
G LAAD. N.p., 10 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Herek, Gregory M. “Heterosexuals’ Attitudes toward Bisexual
Men and Women in the United States.” Journal of
Sex Research 39.4 (2002): 264-74. Web.
“Quotes from Bi Youth.” Bi Youth Quotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 24
Nov. 2014
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Akzidenz Groteque Paper: Red River Matte Paper Printer & Binder: Chum’s Design & Print
00 Colophon
BI: Identify the Identity
Fonts: Baron Neue & Berthold
Gabriella Skinner Academy of Art University School of Graphic Design Fall 2014 Course: Typography 2 Instructor: David Hake
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