Even in comparison to other LGBT groups, I think bisexuals probably have the weakest claim to having a real culture. There's just not a lot of definitive shared experiences I think since bisexuality can look so different for different people. The memes online about bisexual culture can be funny to participate in, but it's obvious that things like cuffing your jeans or sitting weirdly in chairs has nothing to do with being bisexual.
I think this distinction between bisexuals being a people or type of person is a good point to make not just for the sake of gatekeeping the concept of a people or culture, but also to highlight that it can be an isolating experience. Like maybe this could partially explain why mental health issues affect bisexuals/the LGBT community in general more than other minority groups that face the same or worse level of discrimination in society. You can easily be in a situation where there's no other queer people in your family or friend group. So there's no one around you to relate to in that regard, and the people around you may or may not be supportive. With ethnocentric communities for example, at least you're likely to have family and other people close to you that share the same experiences and offer support which can lessen the mental load.
Well put! And I find the conversation frustrating because people always hear it as "if you're not a people you are lesser" but it's just like... no it's a different experience and it changes how you relate to the world as someone with this identity! The fact that, even as a lifelong bisexual, you don't automatically have bisexual parents, is actually fairly crucial and different from cultures that are generally passed down in a hereditary way.
Even in comparison to other LGBT groups, I think bisexuals probably have the weakest claim to having a real culture. There's just not a lot of definitive shared experiences I think since bisexuality can look so different for different people. The memes online about bisexual culture can be funny to participate in, but it's obvious that things like cuffing your jeans or sitting weirdly in chairs has nothing to do with being bisexual.
I think this distinction between bisexuals being a people or type of person is a good point to make not just for the sake of gatekeeping the concept of a people or culture, but also to highlight that it can be an isolating experience. Like maybe this could partially explain why mental health issues affect bisexuals/the LGBT community in general more than other minority groups that face the same or worse level of discrimination in society. You can easily be in a situation where there's no other queer people in your family or friend group. So there's no one around you to relate to in that regard, and the people around you may or may not be supportive. With ethnocentric communities for example, at least you're likely to have family and other people close to you that share the same experiences and offer support which can lessen the mental load.
Well put! And I find the conversation frustrating because people always hear it as "if you're not a people you are lesser" but it's just like... no it's a different experience and it changes how you relate to the world as someone with this identity! The fact that, even as a lifelong bisexual, you don't automatically have bisexual parents, is actually fairly crucial and different from cultures that are generally passed down in a hereditary way.