Bi Erasure

So today I found this fantastic guest post over at Feministing about feeling invisible as a member of the queer community when dating a member of the opposite sex (or the sex opposite to how you present). A few of the comments relate this to the idea of bi erasure.

Although I haven't had many relationships with women, I do feel like the fact that I'm dating a man removes me from a certain aspect of my community. I DO feel invisible on a fairly regular basis, and I've definitely felt the "we-don't-need-your-patronizing-smile-of-acceptance-straight-girl" stare when I smile at queer couples in an attempt to make a silent connection. I recently gave away my queer pride pin to a friend who lives in a city where she is less likely to find such an accessory, but even when I had it, it felt too small to make the kind of visibility statement that I want to make.