Happy Bisexual Visibility Day
Why is it important to have these days of visibility for our LGBTQIA+ community?
In a 2021 article, Pink News covered the Office National Statistic (ONS) 2019 report on sexual orientation which revealed that the LGBTQIA+ population in the UK was growing.
“The data, the latest in an annual series on LGB+ populations, showed that the proportion of the UK population aged 16 years and over who are straight shrank from 94.6 per cent in 2018 to 93.7 per cent in 2019.
In 2019, 2.7 per cent of the population said they were LGB, up from 2.2 per cent the previous year. This represents a thumping 200,000 people jump.
This spike was seen across almost all demographics. LGB women leapt by 0.2 per cent to 2.5 per cent, men from 2.5 per cent to 2.9 per cent.”
The data is clear; the community is growing. And within the last 2 years with loads more time for self-reflection during the pandemic, we have heard of many more stories of people realising that they fall somewhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
It is therefor important that we as a community continue to welcome those who have discovered this part of themselves, by maintaining a safe and accepting space for them.
Today we’d like to shine a light on a vibrant part of our LGBTQIA+ community: bisexual, bi+ and pansexual people.
Bi+ people can experience acute marginalisation. Often targeted with misunderstanding and stereotypes such as being indecisive or greedy, bi+ people face biphobia and bi-erasure both from within and outside the queer community. This causes a great deal of harm to individuals, but also to our community when we use against each other the very cis-heteronormative narratives we are trying to liberate ourselves from.
In a the 2022 Health Needs Assessment conducted by the NHS, research found out that 69% of bisexual men and 42% of bisexual women surveyed had been subjected to discrimination within the last year. In some cases, there are even increased instances of abuse towards bisexual individuals and lower mental wellbeing (especially bisexual women).
The research also found out that bisexual women and men were the least likely to be out (nearly half of bisexual women said they were not out).
“Many felt that assumptions were made about them based on their current partner, and it was not easy to assert their bisexual identity to counteract assumptions that they were either straight or gay depending on who they were currently dating. Some expressed fatigue at having to continually come out as bisexual.”
This is why it is important, that we as a community remain aware of the struggles we might each face because of our different identities. And that we remember that we are all part of a much larger community that can support each other.
Thankfully, the internet has a wealth of resources for bisexuals, or for those who may be bi-curious. Here is a selection of resources we have found the most helpful.
Organisations
The HRC (Human Rights Campaign), have a wealth of resources within their Bisexual FAQ.
Books
If you want to read more about the bisexual experience, The Bi-Ble is a collection of personal essays and stories about the bisexual experience.
If you would like to get yourself a copy of “The Bi-Ble”, you can do so by supporting your local queer bookshop, if you’re in Edinburgh, check out Lighthouse Books, Lavender Menace, and for those based in Glasgow, there is Category is Books.
Bisexual Podcast Collection
The Bi Pan Library have a massive collection of Bisexual focused podcasts. From Two Bi Guys, to The Non.Bi.Nary Show. A whole host of different voices and identities from different backgrounds intersecting with Pansexuality, as well as polyamorous, trans and non-binary identities.
You can listen to these podcasts and more here at The Bi Pan Library.
Events and groups
The Scottish Bi+ Network
Community-run organisation set up in 2018 to provide support for people attracted to multiple genders, tackle bi+ erasure, and raise awareness of issues facing the bi+ community. In addition to regular social events, they also have a monthly Neurodiverse Space and run quarterly one-day community events known as Bi+ Gatherings.
You can find out more at: www.scottishbinet.org.org
Bitastic
An annual bi+ event for Scotland. Every year around Bi Visibility Day on 23rd September we work together to celebrate bi and pan identities at an event with a wide range of workshops and fun activities. You don’t have to be bi or pan to attend Bitastic, but we do want to create a “bi+ bubble” each year where we can share with others like us in a in a safe space. Bitastic is inclusive of all genders.
You can find out more at: https://bitastic.org
The Big Dream
As part of Bitastic 2022, we will be hosting The Big Dream workshop at 13:30 on the 24th of September for a creative discussion around the challenges bi+ people face in connecting with and finding a sense of belonging at queer community events.
We’ll collectively create a bi+-centred space for you to take the lead, have a voice and use a range of materials to contribute your experiences and ideas to imagine the bi+ inclusive event of your dream.
Our volunteer and illustrator Madeleine Leisk from YLWBK illustrations will gather your ideas and create a graphic to visually represent your collective story. This will then be shared with organisations like LGBT Health and Wellbeing, Scottish Bi+ Network, LGBT Youth Scotland and Equality Network which have a bi+ community-building responsibility.
How to join us?
Grab a day ticket for the whole of Bitastic, this will let you attend any workshop throughout the day (ours will start at 13:30).
Tickets are available on a sliding scale (including free) at: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/9967/bitastic-2022
