Working Bi: Preliminary Findings from a Survey on Workplace Experiences of Bisexual People

Preliminary analysis of early data from an extensive survey of the experience of bisexual people in the workplace indicates that bisexuality is a separate sexual orientation from monosexuality (either homosexuality or heterosexuality), that workplace nondiscrimination policies are more effective in creating perceived safety for bisexual people if they include gender identity and expression in addition to sexual orientation alone, and that dissatisfaction in the workplace, as well as in life in general, can be correlated with the degree to which a person keeps her or his bisexuality a secret. Researchers propose a Sexual Orientation Infinite Polygon and suggest action steps for bisexual people and allies, such as 1. Companies and other workplaces establish Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies offering workplace protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity;2. Employee work groups—formal and informal—encourage bisexual employees to be openly involved in their activities by: a. Hosting bi-specific events b. Actively incorporating bi-inclusive language in their meetings and publications c. Educating their gay, lesbian and straight members about the realities of who bisexuals are to dispel the myths that block those individuals support of bisexual coworkers 3. Bisexual people who are closeted might wish to consider coming out as respondents who are out about their bisexuality indicated greater satisfaction with their sex lives!