#BisexualMenSpeak Encourages Us to Listen to Bi Men

"I tire of people telling me I don't exist and that I'm lying". With this concise message, author J.R. Yussuf launched the #BisexualMenSpeak hashtag. "A bisexual friend of mine on Twitter and I were gushing over celebrity couples that made our bi-senses tingle" when Yussuf was brought back to biphobic comments a member of one of the couples made. "The reminder of all of this kind of reopened the wound for me and I started tweeting."

Bi+ men/masc identified folk, please use the tag #Bisexualmenspeak to voice whatever you're feeling about being Bi+ & how it impacts the way you move through the world!
;" J.R. Yussuf (@JRYussuf) July 16, 2018

Bi men started using the hashtag to share their stories. "The responses have been really varied and extremely vulnerable which has been really lovely."

I tire of people telling me I don't exist and that I'm lying. #Bisexualmenspeak
;" J.R. Yussuf (@JRYussuf) July 16, 2018

My two cents: I'm bi, it took me a very long time to realise it, but that's what I am. A lot of people were a bit surprised when I came out but no reaction surprised me more than that of some gay men in the LGBTQ community itself #BisexualMenSpeak
;" Callum S (@G0CartMozart) July 23, 2018

All but one of my previous partners were ok with my #bisexuality: one beautiful bisexual woman, two wonderful gay men, one non-binary queer folk, and my loving straight wife of 12 years. I've been truly lucky and blessed #BisexualMenSpeak 4/
;" Enrique Gil (@silfidasta) July 23, 2018

older thread, but...#BisexualMenSpeak https://t.co/buX6J8dZwv
;" moonflower / the iii. (@AfroJediii) July 22, 2018

#Bisexualmenspeak ppl always think we are greedy... ask us to pick a side... the truth is that I am tired of picking sides ... I stand by me and other wonderful queer-accepting ppl x thanks... byeeeeee 👋🏽
;" Bri.Yang.Jin (@xie_jinhao) July 22, 2018

Last week, a coworker looked me directly in the eyes & told me that bi+ men didn't exist. When I reminded her that I am one, she responded by saying: that's just my opinion.#Bisexualmenspeak
;" austin (@dowlingaus) July 23, 2018

I'm hoping as a trans man I can jump in on the #BisexualMenSpeak tag.
Every day (no exaggeration) I'm told I can't exist because I'm trans, nonbinary, and bisexual. ;" Gabriel D Vidrine (@MxEmber) July 25, 2018

Just remember, bisexual has always been trans inclusive. There are trans bi people. Don't erase us. #BisexualMenSpeak
;" Gabriel D Vidrine (@MxEmber) July 25, 2018

I'm TIRED of holding my breath after I say "I'm bi," on dates because I'm not sure if they'll say something offensive or not. #Bisexualmenspeak
;" J.R. Yussuf (@JRYussuf) July 16, 2018

#BisexualMenSpeak.
Me being me, doesn't make you less you. #Bisexual #Bisexuality #LGBTIQA pic.twitter.com/dBDbMwgvjf ;" Kevin Jones (@Aussie_Kev) July 21, 2018

I was in a "straight" relationship for two years, but I'm #StillBisexual
I've only been on one date with a guy but I'm #StillBisexual The only time I feel comfortable and unapologetic with my attraction to guys is in my dreams #BisexualMenSpeak ;" ByeBiBoy (@Bye_Bi_Boy) July 24, 2018

#BisexualMenSpeak - I love being bi because it means I am open to seeing someone else's bisexuality even when others don't/won't
;" Nico "#StillBi in July" Gomez (@nickawgomez) July 16, 2018

As a bi dude, there is generally a distinction I make between feeling uncomfortable in gay male spaces and in straight male spaces. In the former, I worry that I'll be dismissed or accused of faking it. In the later, I worry someone might kill me. #bisexualmenspeak
;" Guy New York (@Quickiesnewyork) July 23, 2018

"Would you date a bisexual man?"
"wOuLd A bIsExUaL mAn DaTe YoU?" (Courtesy of @SIutmuffin_ )#Bisexualmenspeak ;" J.R. Yussuf (@JRYussuf) July 16, 2018

I have only realised I'm Bi, after realising I am trans. Sometimes things aren't as straightfoward as one might assume, and I'm okay with that.#Bisexualmenspeak
;" Grand Marshal Hux (@PointyHux) July 25, 2018

I'm not straight. I'm not gay. I'm not queer. I'm bi. I went the long way round in figuring it out, and have learned how many hurdles there are for bi people - some part and parcel of being LGBT, others exclusive to the bi experience. Speaking out is everything#BisexualMenSpeak
;" Josh Scully (@Josh_Scully) July 22, 2018

I love my Bisexuality. I don't love the ways that affects the way I move through the world. I don't love the way people treat me because of my bisexuality.#Bisexualmenspeak
;" J.R. Yussuf (@JRYussuf) July 16, 2018

Playing sports my whole life, the masculinity that surrounded me was pretty toxic. I probably would have used the term bisexual earlier and maybe even gotten in touch with my fem side earlier in life instead of my 30’s. #BisexualMenSpeak https://t.co/jdByDCeJ28

— DC Barry (@BeingBiSelf) July 26, 2020

Bisexuality is confusing yet beautiful #bisexualmenspeak

— William 💗💜💙 (@WilliamHern99) August 25, 2020

Me when someone says I'm in denial and calls me gay: #bisexualmenspeak pic.twitter.com/oqfV02Aozs

— Mark (@markanthony913) January 15, 2020

When asked what seeing the response has been like for him, Yussuf replied "[they] have reaffirmed me and shown me that it is okay for me to be vulnerable as well, that people can handle it, and that we have to continue to make room for ourselves in more ways than one".