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Why Bi+ Health Matters

According to current estimates, bisexual+ (bi, pan, fluid, queer, m-spec, and non-monosexual) individuals represent over half of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States, but experience significantly worse physical, mental, and social health than their gay, lesbian, and heterosexual peers. Nonetheless, bisexual+ populations are often understudied in health research and bi-specific community services are critically underfunded. 

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine’s report on LGBT health recommended more research focus on bisexual+ people to better understand bi+ population needs. Despite these recommendations, bi+ people are often still grouped with lesbian and gay people in research studies. When research does focus on bisexual+ communities specifically, they regularly find that bisexual+ people experience higher rates of depression, suicidality, interpersonal violence, and other physical and mental health disparities compared to their homosexual and heterosexual peers. The bisexual+ community receives little funding, services, and resources to address these disparities. According to the Funders for LGBT Issues 2018 report, out of nearly $200 million of funding for LGBT organizations, less than 1% went to bisexual+ interests, the majority of which was from one funder that devoted it to academic research, not to bisexual+ organizations serving the community.

In response to these ongoing disparities, Bisexual+ Health Awareness Month works to raise awareness about bisexual+ community health and pushes for more action and resources to support bisexual+ wellbeing.

Learn More About Bisexuality+:

Learn More About Bisexual+ Health Disparities

Resources for Journalists: