![]() Unfortunately, 43 percent of LGBTQ employees report hearing jokes specifically aimed at bisexuality. Pervasive biphobia targets the legitimacy of bisexual, queer, pansexual and fluid identities and comes in many forms: jokes, stereotypes, noninclusive language, and even abuse. Third, bi+ employees regularly face stigma and negative stereotypes.įrequently, the workplace is not a welcoming environment for bi+ employees. This figure indicates that employers are not yet fully capturing the breadth of needs facing bi+ workers, which can affect employee retention, engagement, and upward mobility in the company. Regrettably, bisexual employees also are less likely to self-identify their sexual orientation even in anonymous human resource surveys - 59 percent of bisexuals compared to nearly 80 percent of gays and lesbians. So for Bisexual Visibility Day, here are a few important things business leaders must know about bisexuality in the workplace:ĭespite its significant size, the unique needs of the bi+ community often go unaddressed in the workplace and beyond. From my vantage point today as CEO of Out & Equal, I also know that Ccorporate America can play a powerful role to elevate bi+ voices and address the issues we face in the workplace. Even years later, I can recall the reaction of one of my family members: "I wish you were just a lesbian because that would be easier to understand." As a member of the bisexual community, I know the journey to acceptance and belonging can be fraught with obstacles from navigating your own identity to fighting against stereotypes. Experiencing some of these consequences, I finally summoned the courage to come out in my personal life as bisexual, and I was met with confusion and hesitation. As many in the world of diversity and inclusion know well, inauthenticity has consequences. While I received acceptance at work upon coming out, I knew deep down that I still wasn't seen. I thought that identifying along the binary (gay rather than straight) was safer and easier for people - both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ alike - to understand. Instead of expressing my true self, I chose instead to come out as a lesbian to my coworkers. Even more, I feared the impact it could have on my career. Like many in the bi+ community, I feared the rejection, ambiguity, and stigma too often associated with bi+ identity. While colleagues openly identified as gay or lesbian, I felt I couldn't fully belong. Not knowing anyone at work who openly identified as bisexual, I remained in the closet. Truthfully, at the beginning of my journey, I felt completely alone. I know well the struggles as a bisexual person in the workplace. Tomorrow, as we celebrate Bisexual Visibility Day, I think back on my own journey and career. ![]() September 21 marked the beginning of Bisexual Awareness Week, a time to elevate bisexual, pansexual, and queer voices as well as raise awareness of the unique issues facing the Bi+ community. ![]() I know firsthand the importance of creating spaces of belonging for the bi+ community in the workplace. I may well be one of the few openly bi+ chief executive officers in America today. ![]()
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