A new study from HRC explores the challenges faced by bisexual youth.

To start with what may seem obvious, bisexual youth face greater adversity than their straight counterparts. On average, bisexuals report more harrassment and more unhappiness; 79% of non-LGBT youth say they have a supportive family member in the household, a mere 44% of bisexual youth report having one.

It may or may not come as a surprise, but the study finds many bisexual youths do not even always feel accepted by the LGBT community; bisexual youth often feel that other LGBT people, especially homosexuals, dismiss them as “confused” or just going through “a phase.”

It’s an idea we’re all familiar with — that bisexuality is just a stepping stone to coming out. In fact, the study’s findings could well indicate this happens frequently: there were higher percentages of bisexual students among middle school students than there were among high school students.

However, for the truly bisexual students — those not easing coming out as gay — accusations of “being confused” (etc) continue from peers and adults.

Bisexual youth also face comments saying they are promiscuous, that they are seeking attention, or even that bisexuality is “not real.”

Check out the stats and particulars of the study, embedded AFTER THE JUMP…