Evan Rachel Wood: Bisexuals exist

Hey, happy Bisexual Awareness Week! Which is now, in case you weren’t aware — which would be kind of ironic, yeah?And just in case you weren’t aware, Evan Rachel Wood is doing what she can to increase visibility, including a lengthy series of tweets about her own experiences being bisexual.

“The reality is that bisexual people face discrimination not only outside of our community, but also from within. And that can discourage them from engaging in and benefiting from the work that LGBT advocates are doing to address our mental, physical and sexual health,” Wood posted, quoting a Human Rights Campaign study. “Bisexual adults have double the rate of depression than heterosexual adults and are more likely to engage in self-harming behavior, including attempting suicide.”

She was even more direct in discussing her own experiences: “I can assure you that whatever ‘straight privilege’ I sometimes get accused of having gets erased by biphobia,” she tweeted. “I still feel like we have to constantly prove ourselves and our worthiness within the community. Point being, it’s OK. We do exist. Don’t let anyone make you feel unworthy.”

I can assure you that whatever “straight privilege” I sometimes get accused of having, gets erased by #biphobia.

— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

Remember, bisexuality doesn’t mean halfway between gay or straight.
It is its own identity.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

I think in some cases people don’t want to be labeled because they are ashamed to be bisexual.
And this needs to stop.

— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

I have battled with myself most of my life because I wasn’t gay or straight enough. I used to think I would never be happy. #biphobia

— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

I had to go through the same panic and shame and depression a lot of people in the LGBT community go through–

— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

— but when I came out a new found shame took over. Bi-shame. Feeling like people are judging you all over again but for different reasons.

— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

— A weight was lifted but not completely. I still feel like we have to constantly prove ourselves & our worthiness within the community.

— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

Point being, its ok. We do exist.
Don’t let anyone make you feel unworthy.
No one knows your journey but you.
#BisexualAwareness

— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015

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