#DroptheB Should Be #DroptheJudgment

Have the you heard about the #droptheb controversy? The LGBTQ2SA* community has for years used a variation of this acronym. Each letter represents a different aspect of gender or sexual orientation. The community is meant to be inclusive and a safe space for those who have faced discrimination due to their identity and preferences.

Recently, there has been some argument for dropping the "B", which stands for Bisexuality, from the acronym. This has caused a lot of heated arguments for both sides.

The #DroptheB Argument

So why has this become an issue? Why should bisexuality be taken out of the acronym? The argument started on a right-wing forum on 4Chan. The opinion was raised that bisexuality should be excluded because it's not gender-inclusive because there are more than two genders. People feel that this term is outdated and as our language and understanding of gender has changed, the language should evolve as well.

The crux of the objection rests of the belief about the meaning of bisexuality. Many people still see bisexuality as an attraction to men and women. This leaves a lot of other people who don't fall into those binaries out of the picture.

Discrimination Against Bisexuals

The problem with the #droptheb argument is that it discriminates against those who are bisexual. People who are bisexual already face a lot of discrimination from pretty much every community. They are often rejected by the heterosexual community because heterosexuals are often uncomfortable with their desire for the same sex. The gay community also rejects bisexuals because of their desire for what is seen as hetero relationships.

Bisexuals are often told they can't make up their mind, that they just haven't settled, or any other number of things that detract from their sexual orientation. Research has found that bisexuals face the same level of discrimination from the gay community as they do from the heterosexual one. It has also found that the level of discrimination is statistically higher when compared to the discrimination against the gay community.

People who are bisexual have worked hard to come to terms with the conflicting messages, personal confusion, discrimination and exclusion. They have struggled to come to terms with their sexual orientation. The #droptheb campaign continues the trend of saying that bisexuality is illegitimate.

Evolving Language and Evolving Ideas

There is no reason to remove bisexuality from the fold. It should be embraced by the community. The argument for #droptheb and that language should be considered can still be looked at. With the evolution of our understanding about gender and the acceptance of more than just the two gender binaries, we have options to expand and redefine our language.

Given its history and the evolution of the community, there is nothing wrong with leaving the definition of bisexuality as the common definition. New identities can be created for people who may be attracted to two genders but not the two ends of the spectrum. We have created lots of new language on our journey of exploring gender and sexuality, there is no need to reject a whole community because our understanding and vocabulary is expanding.

Another option would be to expand our understanding of what bisexuality means. In its basic definition, "bi" is Latin for two. The Latin prefix before the word simply means nothing more than attraction to two. Bisexuality is the attraction to two. There is nothing in the definition that says specifically that it must be the two genders on the opposing ends of the spectrum. We have accepted that as the long-standing definition because for a long time, only those two genders were discussed or acknowledged. The term is actually inclusive of different genders. It is up to each individual who identifies as bisexual to decide which two genders capture their fancy.

#DroptheB Should Be #DroptheJudgment

Out of all we have learned about gender, sexual orientation, and sex you think we would have learned to stop telling people how they should identify. It is up to each person to decide what is and is not ok for them and what speaks to them. Don't cut bisexuals out of the community. Keep it inclusive. Share this article with your circles today and see what they have to say about #droptheb.

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