MONOSEXUAL PRIVILEGE CHECKLIST

Extracted by the book

Bi: notes for a bisexual revolution”, by Shiri Eisner

NOTE

a monosexual person is attracted by one gender, e.g. they are gay or straight

About Bi+ Individuals
  • Society assures me that my sexual identity is real and that people like me exist.

  • When I disclose my sexual identity to others, they believe it without requiring me to prove it (usually by disclosing my sexual and romantic history). 

  • I can feel sure that, upon disclosing my sexual identity, people accept that it’s my real/actual sexual identity (rather than assuming that I am lying or simply wrong). 

  • I am never considered closeted when disclosing my sexual identity. 

  • I am considered to have more authority in defining and judging bisexuality than people who identify as bisexual.

  • Perception/acceptance of my sexual identity is generally independent of my choices of relationships, partners, and lifestyles.

  • It is unlikely that disclosing my sexual identity in a non-sexual context will be taken as a sign of sexual availability or consent.

  • I can be confident that people will not rename my sexual identity or use different words to describe my identity than I do.

  • When seen with a partner I’m dating, I can be certain I will be recognized as a member of my sexual-identity group by members of my community.

  • I do not have to choose between either invisibility (“passing”) or being consistently “othered” and/or tokenized in my community based on my sexual identity.

  • I am never blamed for upholding heteropatriarchy or cisgender privilege because of the word that I use to identify my sexuality.

  • I feel welcomed at appropriate services or events that are segregated by sexual identity (for example, straight singles nights, gay community centers, or lesbian-only events).

  • I can feel sure that if I choose to enter a monogamous relationship, my friends, community, or my partner will continue to accept my sexual identity, without expecting or pressuring me to change it.

  • I do not need to worry about potential partners shifting instantly from amorous relations to disdain, humiliating treatment, or verbal or sexual violence because of my sexual identity.

  • I can choose to be in a polyamorous relationship without being
    accused of reinforcing stereotypes against my sexual-identity group.

  • I can fairly easily find representations of people of my
    sexual-identity group and my lifestyle in the media and the arts. I
    encounter such representations without needing to look hard.

  • If I encounter a fictional, historical, or famous figure of my
    sexual identity, I can be reasonably sure that s/he will be named as
    such in the text or by the media, reviewers, and audience.

  • I often encounter the word I use to identify myself in the media and the arts. When I hear or read it, I am far less likely to find it in the context of the denial of its existence.

  • I can find, fairly easily, reading material, institutions, media representations, etc. which give attention specifically to people of my sexual identity.

  • I can feel certain that normal everyday language will include my sexual identity (“straight and gay alike,” “gay and lesbian,” etc.).

  • If I am cisgender, I am far less likely to suffer from intimate and sexual violence.

  • If I am cisgender, I am less likely to suffer from depression or to contemplate suicide. 

  • If I am cisgender, I am less likely to suffer from poverty. 

  • I am more likely to feel comfortable being open about my sexual identity at work.

  • I have access to information about the prevalence of STIs in my community as well as prevention methods that are suitable for me. (For example, searching online yields many accurate and accessible results).

  • Information about the prevalence of STIs in my community as well as prevention methods suitable for me are unlikely to be subsumed under those of any other sexual-identity groups.

  • If I live in a city, I am more likely to find medical care that will suit m own particular needs.

  • If I am cisgender, I am less likely to risk my health by avoiding medical treatment.

  • I have the privilege of not being aware of my privileges.

Written by Irene Giovanetti (member of Communia) in collaboration with Chiara Isabelle Berard (member of Orgoglio Bisessuale) and Greta Ottaviani (member of Communia).

Visit the fanpage: https://www.instagram.com/orgogliobisessuale/

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