Bi+ Ireland condemns Twitter erasure of #bisexual hashtag

Screenshot from searching #bisexual on Twitter, and looking for photos

We at Bi+ Ireland are disappointed to see the recent Twitter change that has filtered out community content and resources from the #bisexual hashtag.


On November 3rd, the introduction of search filter changes on the website  included steps for the blocking of potentially sensitive material. This change is believed to have lead to the blocking of photos, video and news searches on #bisexual and related hashtags.


On November 4th, the results were noticed by bi+ organisations and individuals worldwide. They have since been highlighting the issue on Twitter. ​

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Making #bisexual unsearchable is biphobia. Assuming the only content under that hastag is porn is #biphobia @Twitter. Be better.

— □□□ thisisbiscuit (@we_are_biscuit) November 5, 2017

Confirming that if you search #bisexual and click on photos, there is NOTHING there.

I'm bi. I am a person. My existence isn't offensive.

— Whitney Drake □✨ (@whitneyd) November 5, 2017

Today @Twitter @TwitterSupport introduced a search filter blocking photo search on #bisexual and #bisexuality hashtags (among others). (1/2) pic.twitter.com/W2yGZ0BrXH

— BiPrideUK (@BiPrideUK) November 4, 2017

​Bi+ Ireland Coordinator Sharon Nolan states "This move from Twitter, accidental or otherwise, is damaging to the bi+ community. Due to the high rates of isolation within our community, many of our member's only opportunity to connect to other bi+ people is through the likes of social media. Making it harder for bi+ people to connect is unacceptable."


"The removal of photos from the #bisexual hashtag is likely related to Twitter trying to remove adult content" continues Nolan. "There is still a hypersexualisation of the bisexual identity, which has historically lead to our community being dismissed and misunderstood. We are not just our sex acts or porn, but a community of people who deserve supports and to be able to openly exist."

Currently there is a Change.org petition calling for Twitter to remedy the situation, and many media outlets including the BBC, Pink News and Alternative Press are covering the issue.

There has yet been a public response from Twitter about the situation.
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#bisexual is not a slur. Photo curtesy of Bisexual Index -http://www.bisexualindex.org.uk/