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Bisexuals (excerpts from Chapter 13) |
How many Americans identify as “bisexual”?
The CDC National Survey of Family Growth report shows increasing percentages of men and women (ages 18-44) are identifying as “Bi”:
2006-2010: 1.2% of males and 3.9% of females identified as bisexual.
2011-2013: 2.0% of males and 5.5% of females identified as bisexual.
Another CDC survey, from its National Center for Health Statistics in 2013, shows only 0.7% identifying as “bisexual” though another 1.1% said they were “something else”:
Among all U.S. adults aged 18 and over, 96.6% identified as straight, 1.6% identified as gay or lesbian, and 0.7% identified as bisexual. The remaining 1.1% of adults identified as “something else” (0.2%), selected “I don’t know the answer” (0.4%), or refused to provide an answer (0.6%).
The Williams Institute at UCLA (LGBT-affirming) said that 1.8% are bisexual....
Bisexual advocacy groups claim they make up 52% of the GLB community (19% are bisexual men and 33% bisexual women). The other 48% are “gay” men (31%) and lesbians (17%). If this is true, it would help explain the recent surge in STD rates among the wider population. The bacterial and viral breeding ground of MSM sex is spreading STDs to women through bisexual men. Bisexual women are likewise spreading disease to their partners – both men (heterosexual or homosexual) and lesbians.
As groups, both MSM – which includes bisexual men – and bisexual women have more sexual partners than heterosexuals. That promiscuity is another big driver of the STD epidemic. ...
High incidence of pathologies in the bisexual population
According to the CDC, bisexuals (male and female) have higher levels of alcohol consumption, tobacco use, drug use, and mental health issues.
An analysis of the National Health Interview Survey from 2013-2014, the first to ask about “sexual orientation” of respondents, revealed that both male and female bisexuals had “the highest prevalence and odds of psychological distress” (compared to “gays,” lesbians, and heterosexuals). They also showed the highest levels of drinking and smoking. Furthermore,
Bisexual women were less likely to be married or living with a partner and were more likely to be younger, living in poverty, and unemployed compared with heterosexual women… more likely to be uninsured and have unmet medical care due to cost … and … greater odds of multiple chronic conditions.
“Young bisexual women” and MSM (which includes bisexual men) have the highest rates of genital infections.
The Bisexual Resource Center [admits] ... that bisexuals have the “poorest health in relation to sexual orientation” (i.e., compared to heterosexuals, “gays,” or lesbians)...
The CDC National Survey of Family Growth report shows increasing percentages of men and women (ages 18-44) are identifying as “Bi”:
2006-2010: 1.2% of males and 3.9% of females identified as bisexual.
2011-2013: 2.0% of males and 5.5% of females identified as bisexual.
Another CDC survey, from its National Center for Health Statistics in 2013, shows only 0.7% identifying as “bisexual” though another 1.1% said they were “something else”:
Among all U.S. adults aged 18 and over, 96.6% identified as straight, 1.6% identified as gay or lesbian, and 0.7% identified as bisexual. The remaining 1.1% of adults identified as “something else” (0.2%), selected “I don’t know the answer” (0.4%), or refused to provide an answer (0.6%).
The Williams Institute at UCLA (LGBT-affirming) said that 1.8% are bisexual....
Bisexual advocacy groups claim they make up 52% of the GLB community (19% are bisexual men and 33% bisexual women). The other 48% are “gay” men (31%) and lesbians (17%). If this is true, it would help explain the recent surge in STD rates among the wider population. The bacterial and viral breeding ground of MSM sex is spreading STDs to women through bisexual men. Bisexual women are likewise spreading disease to their partners – both men (heterosexual or homosexual) and lesbians.
As groups, both MSM – which includes bisexual men – and bisexual women have more sexual partners than heterosexuals. That promiscuity is another big driver of the STD epidemic. ...
High incidence of pathologies in the bisexual population
According to the CDC, bisexuals (male and female) have higher levels of alcohol consumption, tobacco use, drug use, and mental health issues.
An analysis of the National Health Interview Survey from 2013-2014, the first to ask about “sexual orientation” of respondents, revealed that both male and female bisexuals had “the highest prevalence and odds of psychological distress” (compared to “gays,” lesbians, and heterosexuals). They also showed the highest levels of drinking and smoking. Furthermore,
Bisexual women were less likely to be married or living with a partner and were more likely to be younger, living in poverty, and unemployed compared with heterosexual women… more likely to be uninsured and have unmet medical care due to cost … and … greater odds of multiple chronic conditions.
“Young bisexual women” and MSM (which includes bisexual men) have the highest rates of genital infections.
The Bisexual Resource Center [admits] ... that bisexuals have the “poorest health in relation to sexual orientation” (i.e., compared to heterosexuals, “gays,” or lesbians)...
How many Americans identify as “bisexual”?
The CDC National Survey of Family Growth report shows increasing percentages of men and women (ages 18-44) are identifying as “Bi”:
2006-2010: 1.2% of males and 3.9% of females identified as bisexual.
The CDC National Survey of Family Growth report shows increasing percentages of men and women (ages 18-44) are identifying as “Bi”:
2006-2010: 1.2% of males and 3.9% of females identified as bisexual.
Booth at Boston Gay Pride festival. (MassResistance photo)
Bisexual Men Act as Disease Bridge to Women
... bisexual men carry the same general risk for HIV/AIDS, other STDs, and co-infections as homosexual men, diseases which they can and do pass on to (often unsuspecting) women (their heterosexual, bisexual, and even self-identifying lesbian partners).
Much in this section is speculative because little hard data exist specifically relating to bisexual men. The extent to which bisexual men act as a disease bridge to heterosexual women needs serious study by our public health agencies. Here, questions are being asked, with reference to the sparse documentation available. “MSMW [bisexual men] are subject to profound HIV-related health disparities that deserve theoretical attention and public health intervention.”
The CDC reports an increasing percentage of men identifying as bisexual: 1.2% for the period 2006-2010, increasing to 2.0% for the period 2011-2013.
The CDC reported that during 2002, 2.3% of women “had male partners who have sex with other males.” The figure was 1.4% for the period 2006-2010. (These are just the women who knew their partner was bisexual.)
Another CDC report (2011-2013 statistics) connects lesbians and bisexual women to anal sex with men: “Women who said they were ‘homosexual or bisexual’ were also more likely to have had anal sex with an opposite-sex partner (44.2%) compared with 35.4% of heterosexual women.” Some of these male partners would likely be bisexual.
A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2014) agrees with the CDC estimate that bisexual men (MSMW) comprise about 2% of the sexually active male population. They are disproportionately affected by HIV and STIs, yet are less likely than other MSM (“gays”) to use condoms or be tested for HIV “which can lead to undiagnosed HIV and transmission to partners.” ...
It is not just transmission of HIV that is at issue with bisexual male behaviors. There is also a serious risk of spreading other STDs rampant in the homosexual male (MSM) community.
Chlamydia is a major threat to adolescent girls and young women. Some will be infected by bisexual men. According to the CDC,
Chlamydia when left untreated [in women] can quickly infect, inflame and scar delicate reproductive tissues. Chlamydia infections are associated with infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.
HPV, a primary risk factor for anal cancer, is another serious STD. It is often transmitted through anal intercourse. The American Cancer Society states, “Anal cancer is more common in women than men overall and in most racial/ethnic groups,” and that anal receptive intercourse is a major risk factor. The organization estimates there will be 5,160 new cases among women and 2,292 among men in 2016.
Is anal cancer more prevalent in women who have sex with bisexual men? Or more generally, in women who have anal sex with men (whether bisexual or heterosexual)? The American Cancer Society warns about multiple partners and unprotected anal intercourse ...
... bisexual men carry the same general risk for HIV/AIDS, other STDs, and co-infections as homosexual men, diseases which they can and do pass on to (often unsuspecting) women (their heterosexual, bisexual, and even self-identifying lesbian partners).
Much in this section is speculative because little hard data exist specifically relating to bisexual men. The extent to which bisexual men act as a disease bridge to heterosexual women needs serious study by our public health agencies. Here, questions are being asked, with reference to the sparse documentation available. “MSMW [bisexual men] are subject to profound HIV-related health disparities that deserve theoretical attention and public health intervention.”
The CDC reports an increasing percentage of men identifying as bisexual: 1.2% for the period 2006-2010, increasing to 2.0% for the period 2011-2013.
The CDC reported that during 2002, 2.3% of women “had male partners who have sex with other males.” The figure was 1.4% for the period 2006-2010. (These are just the women who knew their partner was bisexual.)
Another CDC report (2011-2013 statistics) connects lesbians and bisexual women to anal sex with men: “Women who said they were ‘homosexual or bisexual’ were also more likely to have had anal sex with an opposite-sex partner (44.2%) compared with 35.4% of heterosexual women.” Some of these male partners would likely be bisexual.
A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2014) agrees with the CDC estimate that bisexual men (MSMW) comprise about 2% of the sexually active male population. They are disproportionately affected by HIV and STIs, yet are less likely than other MSM (“gays”) to use condoms or be tested for HIV “which can lead to undiagnosed HIV and transmission to partners.” ...
It is not just transmission of HIV that is at issue with bisexual male behaviors. There is also a serious risk of spreading other STDs rampant in the homosexual male (MSM) community.
Chlamydia is a major threat to adolescent girls and young women. Some will be infected by bisexual men. According to the CDC,
Chlamydia when left untreated [in women] can quickly infect, inflame and scar delicate reproductive tissues. Chlamydia infections are associated with infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.
HPV, a primary risk factor for anal cancer, is another serious STD. It is often transmitted through anal intercourse. The American Cancer Society states, “Anal cancer is more common in women than men overall and in most racial/ethnic groups,” and that anal receptive intercourse is a major risk factor. The organization estimates there will be 5,160 new cases among women and 2,292 among men in 2016.
Is anal cancer more prevalent in women who have sex with bisexual men? Or more generally, in women who have anal sex with men (whether bisexual or heterosexual)? The American Cancer Society warns about multiple partners and unprotected anal intercourse ...
At the 2008 Boston Dyke March: Lesbian sex with "gay" men. (MassResistance photo)