Short story/"game" about bisexuality, how it's viewed and what it's like

http://www.gamingpixie.com/a-name/

This game was linked on Kotaku a few hours ago. I was underwhelmed, I was hoping it'd be more expansive and touch on more issues, but it did raise the point at least...how bisexuality is viewed by a lot of people.

Being bisexual myself, I can tell you it does garner you an odd string of problems. I'm not necessarily going to say it's "worse" than being gay, but you do receive the gay-hate as well as a new brand. People think you're either gay/straight and in denial, people refuse to acknowledge that bisexuality exists, or, one of the worst, people think you're some omnisexual slut who's perfectly fine with just fucking every single person they find attractive. I've heard all manners of stuff like what was said in that game. I live in an incredibly conservative area, and I've been bullied (verbally, mentally and physically) and condemned by the few friends and family I'd tried to tell. Society's a nightmare to me because such a society will treat you like shit if they even suspect you *might* be gay, or even if you defy whatever the normal conventions are. Of course, nowadays I pretend I'm straight and have told everyone I attempted to come out to that that was some weird phase and I wasn't feeling right and of course I'm straight don't be ridiculous.

So yeah, there's this weird stigma on being bi. I've met a lot of bisexuals that masquerade as gay or straight depending on which sex they're more attracted to, and even several who went from "bisexual" to calling themselves gay/straight, waving off the fact that they're attracted to the other sex much the same way the character in the game did. It always surprises me, the amount of people who think bisexuality isn't a real thing.

I apologize, I'm no good at writing OPs and generating discussion. I'm not sure if anyone else here is bisexual, but if there is, it'd be fantastic to hear someone else's input who knows what it's like. As for everyone else, just hearing what you think of everything would be nice as well. I don't know if there's much discussion here to be had about this subject, but I'd like to try.

http://www.gamingpixie.com/a-name/

This game was linked on Kotaku a few hours ago. I was underwhelmed, I was hoping it'd be more expansive and touch on more issues, but it did raise the point at least...how bisexuality is viewed by a lot of people.

Being bisexual myself, I can tell you it does garner you an odd string of problems. I'm not necessarily going to say it's "worse" than being gay, but you do receive the gay-hate as well as a new brand. People think you're either gay/straight and in denial, people refuse to acknowledge that bisexuality exists, or, one of the worst, people think you're some omnisexual slut who's perfectly fine with just fucking every single person they find attractive. I've heard all manners of stuff like what was said in that game. I live in an incredibly conservative area, and I've been bullied (verbally, mentally and physically) and condemned by the few friends and family I'd tried to tell. Society's a nightmare to me because such a society will treat you like shit if they even suspect you *might* be gay, or even if you defy whatever the normal conventions are. Of course, nowadays I pretend I'm straight and have told everyone I attempted to come out to that that was some weird phase and I wasn't feeling right and of course I'm straight don't be ridiculous.

So yeah, there's this weird stigma on being bi. I've met a lot of bisexuals that masquerade as gay or straight depending on which sex they're more attracted to, and even several who went from "bisexual" to calling themselves gay/straight, waving off the fact that they're attracted to the other sex much the same way the character in the game did. It always surprises me, the amount of people who think bisexuality isn't a real thing.

I apologize, I'm no good at writing OPs and generating discussion. I'm not sure if anyone else here is bisexual, but if there is, it'd be fantastic to hear someone else's input who knows what it's like. As for everyone else, just hearing what you think of everything would be nice as well. I don't know if there's much discussion here to be had about this subject, but I'd like to try.

You should move to Santa Cruz California when you get a chance.  People are not dicks here.  Just have to tough it out until you can move.  Sorry that you got bullied. 

I don't know why people always talk about stuff that they have no way of understanding.  I am not bi, so how in the hell would i know if its possible or not?  All i can do is rely on is what other people tell me, and they tell me that they are bi, and i have no reason to distrust that.  People have a way of being hurtful towards things that they don't understand or that they view as different.

I guess my point is that here in Santa Cruz, people are just pretty darn accepting.  They just want you to be happy, whatever you are.  Maybe its all the pot, or the number of hippies, but living here has made me forget that there is intolerance towards people in other places.  The only forms of intolerance that i see here is that many people assume all cops are bad people, which is annoying and hypocritical of them, but besides the point unless you want to become a police officer.  Plus most communities are not fond of the police, so its hard to single them out.

Anyways, just tough it out, because it is not like that everywhere, and not all of society is messed up like that.

In 2013 there is more and more pressure on young people to be gay. Despite all their natural urges they are told that "Its perfectly natural", "All mammals do it" and such other meaningless statements that are trotted out daily. One need only stand up and say how gay people should have equal rights, to be assured a huge round of applause and to bask in the the smiling nods of precious do-gooders.

Sports stars are gay, celebs are gay, politicians are gay. Every soap has gay characters, every pop band has at least one gay member. And when anyone says they are gay, they are 'brave', 'courageous', 'amazing'.

No one is interested in your sexuality if you are straight. But if you are gay, special attention is lavished upon you.

The law protects you in ways a normal person cannot expect. If you are fired from a job, you claim to be discriminated against. If you are evicted from your flat, turned down for promotion, miss out on a place at uni, the law will step in to protect your gay rights. 

There is absolutely no downside. Its a special club, like being in the masons and it has a very, very special handshake.

I want to be gay. I want all the sycophants and liberal douches to say how awesome I am, and for people to fall over themselves to make sure I'm well treated. I want to be applauded and cheered when I walk with all my gay friends down a street protected by needless riot police on a gay rights march. I want to be able to accuse the people I piss off of being homophobic and evil because they don't like me. I want to be absolutely immune to charges of sexual harassment and be able to go to a public gym and shower with people I'm attracted to.

Fuck off with your everyone needs to be gay bullshit. Being gay isn't special. Its actually completely fucking pointless. Fuck people are stupid!

http://www.gamingpixie.com/a-name/

This game was linked on Kotaku a few hours ago. I was underwhelmed, I was hoping it'd be more expansive and touch on more issues, but it did raise the point at least...how bisexuality is viewed by a lot of people.

Being bisexual myself, I can tell you it does garner you an odd string of problems. I'm not necessarily going to say it's "worse" than being gay, but you do receive the gay-hate as well as a new brand. People think you're either gay/straight and in denial, people refuse to acknowledge that bisexuality exists, or, one of the worst, people think you're some omnisexual slut who's perfectly fine with just fucking every single person they find attractive. I've heard all manners of stuff like what was said in that game. I live in an incredibly conservative area, and I've been bullied (verbally, mentally and physically) and condemned by the few friends and family I'd tried to tell. Society's a nightmare to me because such a society will treat you like shit if they even suspect you *might* be gay, or even if you defy whatever the normal conventions are. Of course, nowadays I pretend I'm straight and have told everyone I attempted to come out to that that was some weird phase and I wasn't feeling right and of course I'm straight don't be ridiculous.

So yeah, there's this weird stigma on being bi. I've met a lot of bisexuals that masquerade as gay or straight depending on which sex they're more attracted to, and even several who went from "bisexual" to calling themselves gay/straight, waving off the fact that they're attracted to the other sex much the same way the character in the game did. It always surprises me, the amount of people who think bisexuality isn't a real thing.

I apologize, I'm no good at writing OPs and generating discussion. I'm not sure if anyone else here is bisexual, but if there is, it'd be fantastic to hear someone else's input who knows what it's like. As for everyone else, just hearing what you think of everything would be nice as well. I don't know if there's much discussion here to be had about this subject, but I'd like to try.

I tend to refer to myself as "pansexual" more often than not, but I used to refer to myself as bi and have definitely experienced the stigma you refer to.  Many people, even in the LGBT community, seem to think there's a gay/straight 'switch' that is either one-or-the other.  I eventually decided that I just like who I like, and that I have no need of labels.  I'm attracted to people, not parts.  I happened to end up with a female, but that doesn't make me a lesbian, because gender doesn't matter to me and labels are dumb.  Love is love. 

I'm terribly sorry to hear that you feel you can't be honest with the people around you.  Maybe making a point of losing the label would make it easier for you.  Feel free to PM me if you need a confidant or supportive ear.

Oh, it doesn't matter to you, huh?  Does age matter to you?  Maybe next time you'll want to be with a child!  Love is love, right?

So yeah, there's this weird stigma on being bi. I've met a lot of bisexuals that masquerade as gay or straight depending on which sex they're more attracted to, and even several who went from "bisexual" to calling themselves gay/straight . . .

i've never been able to figure this out. it always seemed to me that gay people would be likelier to have more sensitivity to bisexuality than otherwise, due to their own history of facing prejudice, but it seems not always to be the case.

sexuality is weird, supe. there's no understanding it, and no predicting it. but all the bisexuals i've known seemed more or less like ordinary people.

pick your friends carefully, and be cautious about who you open up to. eventually you'll develop a circle of people you can trust, and that will help a whole bunch.

http://www.gamingpixie.com/a-name/

This game was linked on Kotaku a few hours ago. I was underwhelmed, I was hoping it'd be more expansive and touch on more issues, but it did raise the point at least...how bisexuality is viewed by a lot of people.

Being bisexual myself, I can tell you it does garner you an odd string of problems. I'm not necessarily going to say it's "worse" than being gay, but you do receive the gay-hate as well as a new brand. People think you're either gay/straight and in denial, people refuse to acknowledge that bisexuality exists, or, one of the worst, people think you're some omnisexual slut who's perfectly fine with just fucking every single person they find attractive. I've heard all manners of stuff like what was said in that game. I live in an incredibly conservative area, and I've been bullied (verbally, mentally and physically) and condemned by the few friends and family I'd tried to tell. Society's a nightmare to me because such a society will treat you like shit if they even suspect you *might* be gay, or even if you defy whatever the normal conventions are. Of course, nowadays I pretend I'm straight and have told everyone I attempted to come out to that that was some weird phase and I wasn't feeling right and of course I'm straight don't be ridiculous.

So yeah, there's this weird stigma on being bi. I've met a lot of bisexuals that masquerade as gay or straight depending on which sex they're more attracted to, and even several who went from "bisexual" to calling themselves gay/straight, waving off the fact that they're attracted to the other sex much the same way the character in the game did. It always surprises me, the amount of people who think bisexuality isn't a real thing.

I apologize, I'm no good at writing OPs and generating discussion. I'm not sure if anyone else here is bisexual, but if there is, it'd be fantastic to hear someone else's input who knows what it's like. As for everyone else, just hearing what you think of everything would be nice as well. I don't know if there's much discussion here to be had about this subject, but I'd like to try.

I'm really sorry you feel like you can't come out to your family. I hope one day you at least get to a point in your life when you have a more take it or leave it attitude and just stand up for the person you are, regardless what your family thinks. My dad is an extremely conservative person and we disagree on absolutely everything. It's extremely aggravating when they think my point of view is naive and that I'll just grow out of it and become a religious, conservative American. So I definitely clash with my dad and stepmom, but if they don't approve of the person I am then they can just stop inviting me to their place.
I know it's not a clash over sexuality, but it's the most similar experience I have. At the end of the day, you just have to be who you are. If your friends and family can't accept you then you'll just have to find people who do.

Oh, it doesn't matter to you, huh?  Does age matter to you?  Maybe next time you'll want to be with a child!  Love is love, right?

Thork is perfectly capable of doing his job, thanks.

I dated a girl who was bi.
Didn't bother me at all.  We only dated for like a month but still.


Are you able/willing to move far away if given the opportunity?

I once dated a lesbian. That didn't go well at all. In my head it seemed awesome. She was really pretty, had amazing legs (she played for the Manchester United Women's team at the time) and it was awesome when I asked my work mates if she could join in our kick about and then she scored virtually all the goals. I was majorly turned on. However she was frightened of penises. I have one of those, so the writing was on the wall. I saw her with a girlfriend some time later. I thought how much I'd love to be the meat in that sandwich but the reality is they'd both ignore me and get mad if I just stabbed away hoping to find a port in the storm.

As for Supertails, I don't think you are bisexual. I think you are asexual. You aren't really interested in sex at all. You have an immensely low sex drive. And so I suspect you have a hormone deficiency or live in an environmentally damaged area with poisons in the air/water/food.
If your sex drive were to rise and you were actually interested in screwing someone, then your preference would come out. At the moment you like both sexes equally as there isn't any difference to you. You haven't got that sex drive and don't know any different. Normally I wouldn't say this to anyone, but try some viagra. Failing that, take some steroids. Just a small dose to see if that sparks your interest.

Saddam, stahp thorking this thread.

#ws" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">I'M PANSEXUAL!?

Laci Green has some really good videos about sexuality. Even as old as I am, I've learned a few things from her.

Why do all these vloggers insist on constantly cutting mid-sentence? Can't they do a take for five full fucking seconds?

Why do all these vloggers insist on constantly cutting mid-sentence? Can't they do a take for five full fucking seconds?

That drives me crazy too.

I own that same pan. How exciting.

Do you lick it sexily?

It's bizarre. I spend a lot of time in and around the LGBT community and I've heard gay men dismissing bisexuals as some straights dismiss gays. Then again in my experience they have it easy when compared against trans and genderqueer people.

My guess is that one tends to spend so long building a narrative and an identity that if you're similar but reject the narrative then it's because you're doing it wrong not because the narrative is wrong.

Also, Thork. If my bi ex is even vaguely representative of bisexual women then a low libido is certainly not an issue.

Chin up Supes :-) remember you have allies on all sides of the rainbow.


EDIT: Gah! The word filter makes talking about se xu ality a major pain.

What part of the world do you live in Snupes?

What part of the world do you live in Snupes?

I get a Texan or some southwest vibe...

In my head I imagine Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois ... somewhere near there. I support the Greenbay packers because they have the best songs.

#ws" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#ws

In my head I imagine Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois ... somewhere near there. I support the Greenbay packers because they have the best songs.

#ws" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#ws

Like a blizZARD. That girl is so white and nerdy.

Its twenty below zero and I don't even care, cos I'm at Lambeau field.

Move to the Netherlands, the actual land of the free.

Move to the Netherlands, the actual land of the free.

No lie.  I'm seriously considering it.

I tend to refer to myself as "pansexual" more often than not, but I used to refer to myself as bi and have definitely experienced the stigma you refer to.  Many people, even in the LGBT community, seem to think there's a gay/straight 'switch' that is either one-or-the other.  I eventually decided that I just like who I like, and that I have no need of labels.  I'm attracted to people, not parts.  I happened to end up with a female, but that doesn't make me a lesbian, because gender doesn't matter to me and labels are dumb.  Love is love. 

I'm terribly sorry to hear that you feel you can't be honest with the people around you.  Maybe making a point of losing the label would make it easier for you.  Feel free to PM me if you need a confidant or supportive ear.

Exactly! People don't seem to realize sexuality is much more complex than that. And thank you, I will if I need it, which I inevitably will. :]

i've never been able to figure this out. it always seemed to me that gay people would be likelier to have more sensitivity to bisexuality than otherwise, due to their own history of facing prejudice, but it seems not always to be the case.

That's what baffles me about it. They know what it's like, then they turn around and treat others exactly how they were treated.

I'm really sorry you feel like you can't come out to your family. I hope one day you at least get to a point in your life when you have a more take it or leave it attitude and just stand up for the person you are, regardless what your family thinks. My dad is an extremely conservative person and we disagree on absolutely everything. It's extremely aggravating when they think my point of view is naive and that I'll just grow out of it and become a religious, conservative American. So I definitely clash with my dad and stepmom, but if they don't approve of the person I am then they can just stop inviting me to their place.
I know it's not a clash over sexuality, but it's the most similar experience I have. At the end of the day, you just have to be who you are. If your friends and family can't accept you then you'll just have to find people who do.

Aww, thanks. Part of me really wants to take that approach, but I'm so terrified of disappointing people, and of hurting anyone. I spend a lot of time thinking about what everyone would think of they knew everything I don't tell them. I'm so scared to live my life how I want to. I don't really know how to do it. Seeing the disappointment or worse would just kill me.

Are you able/willing to move far away if given the opportunity?

If I had the money, I might consider it. I'd be terrified, but it would be a lot easier. I actually want to head to Australia, though I'd love to live in Sweden as well.

As for Supertails, I don't think you are bisexual. I think you are asexual. You aren't really interested in sex at all. You have an immensely low sex drive. And so I suspect you have a hormone deficiency or live in an environmentally damaged area with poisons in the air/water/food.
If your sex drive were to rise and you were actually interested in screwing someone, then your preference would come out. At the moment you like both sexes equally as there isn't any difference to you. You haven't got that sex drive and don't know any different. Normally I wouldn't say this to anyone, but try some viagra. Failing that, take some steroids. Just a small dose to see if that sparks your interest.

It's not necessarily as you think. I know I'm attracted to both genders, physically and emotionally, it's just that I care about the emotional part a lot more than I do the sex part. It still appeals to me (though I did wonder if I was asexual for a while, as well), it's just that it appeals to me with somebody that I love. I don't want to have it casually, I'd love to just have it with one person my whole life, my first and last. So it's not that I'm not interested in sex, it's just that I have really strict policies for it, or something?

It's bizarre. I spend a lot of time in and around the LGBT community and I've heard gay men dismissing bisexuals as some straights dismiss gays. Then again in my experience they have it easy when compared against trans and genderqueer people.
My guess is that one tends to spend so long building a narrative and an identity that if you're similar but reject the narrative then it's because you're doing it wrong not because the narrative is wrong.

Chin up Supes :-) remember you have allies on all sides of the rainbow.

Being trans is one of the hardest things to be, but I'm glad we're approaching some sort of equality for that lately as well. And your hypothesis sounds plausible, i could see that. Far too many people think that things happen the way it happened to them, so they know how it all works.

And once again, thanks a ton. You're awesome. :]

What part of the world do you live in Snupes?

Thork got it right. It's weird, because around here is generally (as in during elections) liberal, as far as I can tell, but the specific place I'm in is incredibly, incredibly conservative. I don't know how I managed that bad luck.

Quote from: Particle Person on January 15, 2013, 03:23:52 PM

What part of the world do you live in Snupes?

Thork got it right. It's weird, because around here is generally (as in during elections) liberal, as far as I can tell, but the specific place I'm in is incredibly, incredibly conservative. I don't know how I managed that bad luck.

I was going to say that area seems more liberal. Poor luck that is.

Quote from: Blanko on January 15, 2013, 08:39:36 AM

Why do all these vloggers insist on constantly cutting mid-sentence? Can't they do a take for five full fucking seconds?

That drives me crazy too.

Blame Ze Frank. (Which is impossible)

I've run into the "they're just kidding themselves" mindset in Australia too (my parents, for one, don't think bisexuals exist). I've never really had any problem in understanding that a person can be attracted to both genders. I once met someone that said everyone is a bit bisexual, and I'm inclined to somewhat agree. Human sexuality is a complex thing, and tying it down to one of two terms seems like a gross oversimplification to me.

Besides that, most people don't seem to care, the younger generations especially so. Although, our politicians have no backbone when it comes to matters of sexuality.

Quote from: Particle Person on January 15, 2013, 03:23:52 PM

What part of the world do you live in Snupes?

Thork got it right. It's weird, because around here is generally (as in during elections) liberal, as far as I can tell, but the specific place I'm in is incredibly, incredibly conservative. I don't know how I managed that bad luck.

My power knows no limits. I really have to start paying less attention to Americans. When I can guess where they come from on the internet from their posts, I know I know far too much about their culture.

Quote from: Supertails on January 15, 2013, 05:01:31 PM

Quote from: Particle Person on January 15, 2013, 03:23:52 PM

What part of the world do you live in Snupes?

Thork got it right. It's weird, because around here is generally (as in during elections) liberal, as far as I can tell, but the specific place I'm in is incredibly, incredibly conservative. I don't know how I managed that bad luck.

My power knows no limits. I really have to start paying less attention to Americans. When I can guess where they come from on the internet from their posts, I know I know far too much about their culture.

You should probably post a lot less, just to be safe.

Quote from: Supertails on January 15, 2013, 05:01:31 PM

Quote from: Particle Person on January 15, 2013, 03:23:52 PM

What part of the world do you live in Snupes?

Thork got it right. It's weird, because around here is generally (as in during elections) liberal, as far as I can tell, but the specific place I'm in is incredibly, incredibly conservative. I don't know how I managed that bad luck.

My power knows no limits. I really have to start paying less attention to Americans. When I can guess where they come from on the internet from their posts, I know I know far too much about their culture.

That, or Supes has said several times where Supes resides and you were just paying attention.  Nice try, though.