Slipping Between the Cracks: the Inequalities Facing Bi+ Women in Scotland

Bi+ people have always existed, yet their experiences are often erased or misunderstood both within and outside the LGBTQ+ community. This Bi Visibility Week, we highlight some of the unique challenges Bi+ people face.

In this article, our policy volunteer Shelley explores the inequalities facing Bi+ women in Scotland. Drawing on personal experience, community conversations, and available research, Shelley sheds light on the gaps in support, the impact of invisibility, and the urgent need for change.

The erasure of Bi+ identities

As a Bi+ woman, I’m often made to feel like my identity is a grey area. From my own experiences and discussions with other Bi+ people, it often feels that bi+ identities are erased.

I see that happening both outside and inside the LGBTQ+ community. We’re regularly seen as not “gay enough” or treated as a bit of a nuisance. At the same time, we don’t fit into mainstream, straight society either. For example, 42% of Bi+ people not out at work. Living in this in-between space can leave people like me feeling unwelcome and unsafe.

And yet here in Scotland, nearly two in five LGB+ people identify as bisexual (43.6%). Many others use labels like pansexual or queer, which also fall under the Bi+ umbrella.

The health inequalities facing Bi+ women

Women make up the biggest group of Bi+ people, more than twice as men, with many describing their sexuality as “other”. While Scotland’s 2022 Census gives us some numbers, we still need more detailed research to understand the experiences of Bi+ women living in Scotland.

Even though we’re a large part of the population, particularly within LGBTQ+ community, Bi+ women are often overlooked. Research shows serious health inequalities, and it’s clear that public and third sector services aren’t meeting our needs. Bi+ identities are often seen as “too complicated”, we’re even described as a “logistical difficulty” by Love Island producers. This kind of thinking makes it harder for us to find help when we need it.

Take gender-based violence, for example. Where can Bi+ women go when we’ve survived sexual or domestic abuse? There are very few services in Scotland specifically for LGBTQ+ survivors. LGBT+ Helpline Scotland is helpful and can refer people to inclusive services, but there are no dedicated LGBTQ+ domestic or sexual violence services in Scotland. Even in England, most are based in London and stretched for resources.

On top of that, many Bi+ women I’ve spoken to worry about whether their relationships are “queer enough” to access LGBTQ+ support. Others fear being judged or misunderstood by services. Some might go to mainstream services if the abuser was a man, but there’s concern that these services won’t understand the role our sexuality played in the abuse. Bi+ women are the most likely group in the LGBTQ+ community to report abusive relationships, more than gay men (30%) and lesbian/gay women (35%). In fact, Bi+ women are three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than straight women.

With so few services tailored to our needs, and with people often misunderstanding or mislabelling us, Bi+ women can feel isolated. This has a serious impact on our mental health. 61% of Bi+ women say they’ve experienced depression, anxiety or stress. 70% have a history of self-harm, and rates of disordered eating are also high.

The need for inclusive research and services

Bi+ women face multiple layers of minority stressors and discrimination. We’re one of the biggest groups in the LGBTQ+ community, but research and services rarely focus on us. We’re often made invisible or treated as an exception. I see biphobia every day, on social media, dating apps, and even in spaces that are meant to be inclusive.

If we want to understand the challenges facing Bi+ women in Scotland, we need change. There’s a huge gap in understanding our health and wellbeing. Our place in the “grey area” has made it too easy for services to ignore us. We’re done being ignored. We need action. We need proper research. We need support that’s built around us. And most of all, we need people to listen to and believe Bi+ women when we speak about our experiences.

Join us to create support for Bi+ women

That’s why I’m really proud to be part of “For Us, Bi+ Us”, a grassroots event for Bi+ women in Scotland, hosted by LGBT Health and Wellbeing. It ’s part of a wider community-led project that’s mapping out the needs, priorities and experiences of Bi+ women in Scotland. Through art, conversation, and community, we’re building something that will feed into a report shaped by us, not about us. You can find out more and sign up here.