Powerful message. Evan Rachel Wood opened up about her bisexuality — and the battles the LGBT community faces — via Twitter on Thursday, Sept. 17.
“I can assure you that whatever ‘straight privilege’ I sometimes get accused of having, gets erased by #biphobia,” Wood, 28, wrote. “Remember, bisexuality doesn’t mean halfway between gay or straight. It is its own identity. I think in some cases people don’t want to be labeled because they are ashamed to be bisexual. And this needs to stop.”
The Westworld actress came out as bisexual in 2011. Her moving tweets, made days before Bisexual Awareness Week, began after a commenter questioned if she was still bisexual following her 2014 split from ex-husband Jamie Bell. (The exes welcomed a son in July 2013.)
“Actually I am divorced with a son and no matter who I am with I am #stillbisexual @ZipporahMorgan,” Wood replied. “Haha no worries at all. Not mean spirited @ZipporahMorgan.”
She continued: “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.”
Wood noted that she can relate to other LGBT members who have felt “panic and shame and depression” about their identity. Despite feeling judged, she hopes that others never feel “unworthy” about who they are.
“Point being, its ok. We do exist,” she wrote. “No one knows your journey but you. #BisexualAwareness.”
Check out more of Wood’s tweets below, which also cites a Human Rights Campaign blog:
“The reality is that bisexual people face discrimination not only outside of our community, but also from within–
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
–And that can discourage them from engaging in and benefitting from the work that LGBT advocates are doing–
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
–to address our mental, physical and sexual health.” – HRC
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Bisexual people are the largest single group within the LGBT community, yet we are hardly recognized.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
“Bisexual adults have double the rate of depression than heterosexual adults, and are more likely to engage in self-harming behavior–
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
–including attempting suicide” – HRC
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
Bisexual people often feel there isnt a place for them and this can lead to major health problems. http://t.co/6g3acqiN3H
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) September 17, 2015
