Pro-rugby player, formerly of Leinster and currently with Exeter Chiefs, Jack Dunne and Coordinator with Bi+-Ireland Paula Dennan, talk about bisexuality, acceptance and bi-erasure.
Although Ireland is a much more inclusive and understanding place than it was 50 years ago, it might surprise you to learn that bisexual people continue to be met with a lot of confusion, disbelief and stereotypes.
In this episode of Out & Proud, professional rugby player Jack Dunne and co-ordinator with Bi+- Ireland, Paula Dennan, share some insights around representation, acceptance and bi-erasure. Jack says:
"If I'm going out with a man then I’m gay or if I’m going out with a woman, then I’m straight, that’s almost what it looks like from the outside, so that’s probably why it’s easier to not see."
Paula shares some statistics from the OECD that indicate that there are roughly equal numbers of bisexual, gay and lesbian people living in Ireland today, but it often doesn’t feel like that for members of the bi-community.
Equally, some of the tropes and stereotypes around bisexual people also seek to put them in a gay, lesbian or straight box, rather than simply accepting their identity as bisexual.
On the plus side, Jack has had an incredibly positive experience in terms of acceptance amongst his peers and professionally.
"I came out when I was still in school, I probably wasn’t thinking I was going to be a professional player so it didn’t really cross my mind and then when I went into the world of professional rugby, everyone was just really supportive … definitely scary at times, wondering 'oh what are they going to think’, but it’s been overwhelmingly positive."
Paula is active in Bi+Ireland and has some great insight into the importance of finding your community and she shares information about bi spaces, bi club nights etc. around the country.
Listen to Out & Proud, Tuesday nights at 10pm on RTÉ Radio 1 and the RTÉ Radio app or anytime wherever you get your podcasts.
