Bisexual people, often referred to as ‘bi’, are emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to people of more than one gender. Bi people suffer many of the same abuses as gay men and lesbians – including criminalization and widespread discrimination. They also have to deal with an additional set of negative stereotypes, including the myths that being bi is a phase or that bi people are promiscuous, confused, or just seeking attention.
Some people wrongly believe that bi people don’t experience violations because they can “choose” to be in relationships that will be perceived as straight. As a result, most bi people fear coming out – even to their closest family and friends. None of these assumptions are true. Bi people are no more or less sexual than anyone else, and just as capable of love and commitment.
Common misconceptions about bisexuality, including among some gay men and lesbians, leave many bi people feeling misunderstood, isolated and at risk of abuse. Bi people – and especially bi women– experience disproportionately high rates of violence, including rape. They are also at heightened risk of bullying, homelessness, depression and suicidal thoughts. The fact is that bi people just want the same things as everyone else - love and support from their family and friends, and respect from everyone else. See more via the UN Free & Equal Campaign
Why Bi Visibility Day Is So Crucial For Fighting Stigma & Erasure
For the last 20 years Bisexual Visibility Day has been celebrated on Sept. 23. It's such a great excuse to reflect on the progress that’s been made in the LGBTQ+ community in the UK, while raising the profile of bisexual campaigners, artists, writers, and those working to make society a better place. However, when you’re faced with pretty offensive stereotyping or worse it makes you wonder how accepting society really is of bisexuality. So here’s why Bi Visibility Day is still important.
LGBTQ+ may be a really handy acronym for referring to a non-heterosexual community but that also suggests there’s one community and one lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer experience. While I’m sure it’d be nice to all meet in one place to have a cup of tea and discuss the agenda, this couldn’t be further from the truth and the reality for so many people is bisexuality is often forgotten or erased in LGBTQ+ culture.
Bi Visibility Day highlights all of the amazing things that bisexuals around the world are doing but also the stereotyping that's perpetuated in pop culture, workplaces, homes, and friendship groups. Because of "passing privilege" (the idea that a bisexual people can pass as heterosexual by being in a romantic relationship with someone of a different sex) we’re often treated as not being gay enough for the queer community and not straight enough to be heterosexual. So, where does that leave bisexuals?
can’t imagine a summer without Pride and September with Bi Visibility Day. However, the first Bi Visibility Day was observed at the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) conference in Johannesburg in South Africa in 1999. Not that long ago when you think about it. Since then it’s grown into a celebration of all things bi. According to the Office of National Statistics 0.8 percent of Brits identify as bisexual so there’s a lot of us out there. Read more via Bustle