This is Our Community: Bisexual Anti-Stigma Poster Campaign
(Photo: “This is my community…because I’m bi and trans.”)
Trans bisexuals: Bisexual-identified trans people have often been doubly stereotyped as confused about their sexuality and their gender identity. As a result, some trans people have been denied access to trans health services if they identified as bisexual. A number of bisexual trans people have had to pretend to be straight or gay/lesbian in order to be approved for needed treatments. Bi trans people were often judged by straight trans people as being either “not really trans” or as “kinky.”
While biphobia among some health service providers has diminished, the stigma associated with being both trans and bi has remained. Bisexual trans people report difficulty getting appropriate and useful health care (9, 18-19).
Our poster aims to remind both health care providers and LGBTQ community members that bisexual trans people belong in our LGBTQ community. Our bisexual trans model, Rupert Raj, is a well-known trans activist and a senior. Currently 59, he makes no apology for his gender, sexuality identity, or age. He is a therapist, both in private practice and at the Sherbourne Health Centre, who provides counselling to LGBTQ people and their loved ones.
