September 23rd is Bi(sexual) Visibility Day. Founded in 1999, this global holiday is meant to recognize and celebrate the bisexual community and challenge bisexual & biromantic erasure.
Wondering why we need a day specifically for bisexuals, when we already have Pride? It’s because the B in LGBTQ is often forgotten, or worse, intentionally ignored and discriminated against—both by people within the queer community, and by people outside of it.
We face a lot of negative stereotypes, such as being “greedy,” incapable of monogamy, or indecisive. Bisexuals in a monogamous relationship are often assumed straight or gay depending on the gender (presentation) of their partner. Even worse, a lot of people don’t believe that bisexuality is real, often viewing bisexual women as “actually straight” (sometimes being accused of using their sexuality to attract men), and bisexual men as “actually gay” and going through a “phase” that will eventually lead to them coming out as gay.
When you consider all of the stigma and assumptions, it may come as no surprise that bisexuals face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mood disoders compared to both straight and gay people—which is why Bi Visibility Day is important.
Looking to celebrate Bi Visibility Day? If you’re not bisexual, read about bisexuality, talk (and listen) to your bi friends about their experiences, reflect on any views or assumptions you may have about bisexuality, and considering donating to an organization or fund that specifically works to support the bi community.
If you yourself are bi? TREAT YO’SELF. (You could also do things like come out to someone who you haven’t yet or contribute to bisexual representation by sharing your story, but it’s totally reasonable to take the day to celebrate yourself instead of educating others.)
In honor of Bi Visibility Day, here are some resources to help support and celebrate the bisexual community:
- Bi Visibility Day: Started in 2001, this page acts as an online information hub about #BiVisibilityDay, including related events each year
- BiNet USA: The oldest advocacy organization for bisexual people, BiNet offers important educational information and helps facilitate the development of bisexual and bi-friendly communities around the country.
- #StillBisexual: #StillBisexual is a bisexual education and health advocacy organization that provides nine free LGBTQIA+ lessons to high school sexual education programs and GSA groups.
- GLAAD: GLAAD is a media-monitoring non-profit that aims to accelerate LGBTQ+ acceptance through entertainment, news, and digital media. GLAAD also provides ample resources for the bi community and other identities.
- Human Rights Campaign (HRC): Established in 1980, the HRC aims at ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ people around the world and has an expansive list of bisexual resources.
Bi Visibility Day is not only an opportunity to combat the stigma and erasure we face individually and as a community, it’s also a day to celebrate! So if anyone needs me, I’ll be celebrating by leaning into my preferred bi stereotypes: wearing my flannel-and-leather-jacket combo, sitting in a chair in the exact opposite way it’s intended, and listening to Freddie Mercury.
