NEARLY half of bisexuals have experienced negative attitudes or sexual harrassment when accessing mainstream services, according to a new report.
The poll of 515 bisexual people across the UK found many had experienced the problem, known as biphobia.
The survey carried out by the charity Equality Network also found 38 per cent of those interviewed had experienced sexual harassment, often centred on negative assumptions about their sexual orientation.
The report findings suggest that bisexual people had experienced higher levels of discrimination within health services than any other public services.
A total of 28 per cent of those surveyed said they never feel comfortable telling their GP that they have relationships with both men and women.
The campaigning group said the research, entitled 'Complicated?' is the first across the UK to focus specifically on bisexual people's experiences of accessing services.
It highlights examples of good practice and suggests how to make services more inclusive for bisexual people.
One respondent told the authors a nurse refused to treat her because she was 'not normal and just greedy' to want relationships with both sexes.
The research also found that over a quarter of bisexual people have experienced prejudice when accessing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) services.
One respondent reported they had "heard lots of negative comments about bisexual people and dismissal of the need to include bisexual people." Another reported being told that "bisexuals are 'confused' and not as good as 'real gays'."
The report also highlights examples of good practice in service provision and proposes a roadmap to make services more inclusive for the group.
Tim Hopkins, Director of the Equality Network said: "Unfortunately, as the report findings show, bisexual people are often misunderstood and discriminated against by many services. This leaves them at high risk of not getting appropriate information and support."
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