Welcome to the bi.youth webring! This is a service of YouthResource, an online youth community sponsored by the Family Acceptance Project. The bi.youth webring is designed to provide support and encouragement for bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer-identified and questioning young people aged 13-21 in their explorations of identity as they come out.
The webring is intended to connect bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer-identified and questioning young people and their allies with other bi.youth and their allies on the web.
Here are some resources which will help Bisexual Youth to find support:
- Bi+ Youth – Bisexual Community Center
- LGBT Youth Resources
- How to Support Bisexual Youth?
- LGBTQ+ Youth Who Experience Homelessness
- LGBT Community Forum and Chat
What is Bi+ Youth?
Bi Youth is a term that refers to youth who feel their attractions to males or females do not fit neatly into the hetero-normative people/women and men/men binaries. The best way to think of bi+ youth is that they feel like neither gender is “right” for them, but both genders are “right”.
Is bisexuality binary?
Bisexuality is not binary. Bi+ youth can be attracted to multiple genders, and similarly, they can be attracted in many different ways.
What about pansexuality?
Pansexuality is considered a broad term to mean attraction to people in all forms of gender identity, not just cisgender people. This includes transgender and intersex youth as well.
What’s the difference between bi.youth, pansexual and queer youth?
Bi+ youth can identify as bisexual, pansexual or queer, but sometimes these groups overlap. It’s a good idea to visit each of these pages and see if they have resources that resonate with you.
Romantic orientations
Not all bi+ youth are interested in romantic relationships. For some, it’s about being attracted to others and no more. Some bi+ youth are asexual, which refers to not being interested in sexual relationships with anyone; whether that be physical or emotional.
Do we need labels?
There are a lot of different terms for different types of attractions and identities. Sometimes, it helps to find the right term or words that people use to describe themselves.
What is biphobia?
Biphobia is a term that refers to the fear, disgust or hatred of bisexual, pansexual and queer people. Biphobia is hurtful and it’s not okay.
What is bisexual erasure?
Bisexual erasure occurs when bisexual, pansexual and queer people are erased from the mainstream media, or when the bisexual, pansexual and queer characters who appear in mainstream media are shown as being monosexual.
Challenging assumptions
It’s important to remember that even though it seems like everyone around you is monogamous, it does not mean that everyone is. Whether you are straight, gay, bisexual trans or cis, it’s a good idea to get used to the fact that there are people all around you who are attracted to different genders than they themselves identify with.
Self-care
Integrity and self-care are essential for coping with biphobia and homophobia in all forms. Bisexual, pansexual and queer youth need support when it comes to staying true to their own identity while dealing with biphobia in their everyday lives.
Nonbinary people can be bisexual
Some nonbinary people are attracted to more than one gender identity. Some bisexual, pansexual and queer youth choose to use the label “nonbinary” because it is preferred over separate terms for the attraction of one’s gender.
Men can be bisexual, too
While straight, gay and bi.youth are terms that often refer to men because of the way those words are used most often in mainstream culture, there is no rule saying that bi.youth can only come from the experience of being male.
Bisexual women are valid
While bisexual, pansexual and queer women are not given the same level of attention as men in queer spaces, this does not mean that their experiences with biphobia and homophobia don’t matter or that they deserve less support.
Exploring different relationship types
It is not uncommon for people to develop different feelings and experiences towards the same gender. It’s a good idea to check out some resources that can help you explore different types of relationships.
Coming out
If you’re bisexual and unsure about how your friends and family will react, it’s a good idea to read some information about how to come out as bisexual. Coming out as bi can be difficult for many different reasons, but it is possible!
How do I tell if my relationship is healthy or not?
Healthy relationships are where people feel loved and respected, even with differences. It’s a good idea to check out some different relationship advice and see what you can do to make sure that your relationships are positive and healthy.
