With the term 'homophobia' so present in the public's consciousness, it makes sense that the term 'biphobia' arose as a definition of hostility towards bisexuals but I have noticed academics use the term 'bi-negativity' in their research, or use the two terms interchangeably. Which one do you prefer to use, and what is your reasoning for doing so? (a link to a discussion on these terms would also be helpful!) Thanks!
Any time I am facing a decision regarding the correct terminology to use in addressing alternative sexualities, I turn to the Glossary on the Human Rights Campaign website. There you can find "biphobia," but there is no listing for "binegativity."
The glossary can be accessed here - https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
Hi Tara,
In my opinion, the terms "homophobia" and "biphobia" are most used in the daily language. However, the term "homonegativity" is more and more used in scientific language and literature, so I think it should be the same for the term "biphobia".
The reasons for such a preference are various. One of them is related to the fact that the term "homophobia" underlines a phobic meaning too much. In fact, not necessarily, people with high "homonegativity" feel fear, repulsion or disgust towards gay and lesbian people. So the term "homonegativity" should be more all-embracing, by including, for example, also the cognitive characteristics of negative attitudes and feelings toward gay and lesbian people. I believe that it should be the same for the term "binegativity".
Anyway you can find a more detail explanation of this question in Herek (2004):
Herek, G. M. (2004). Beyond “homophobia”: Thinking about sexual prejudice and stigma in the twenty-first century. Sexuality Research & Social Policy, 1(2), 6-24.
I hope to have helped you.
Best regards
Marco
Hi Tara, critical psychologists tend to offer critiques of individualistic terms such as 'phobias' and this is one of the reasons why I would use bisexual marginalisation over biphobia.
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