bisofcolour:

UK LGBT History Month is now over.  It was a mixed month for us at Bi’s of Colour.  Stage 3 of our history project saw us sending over 30 sets of our posters all over the country, from the Highlands of Scotland, to lush Devon.  Thanks to many kind and generous donations, the costs of postage and packing was covered.  UNISON were also incredibly generous in printing the posters for us. Jacq Applebee gave talks about bisexual history and people of colour in London, Bristol and Manchester.  

However there were some less positive things about LGBT History Month that made us disappointed: the Bisexual erasure from so called LGBT groups and organisations was even worse than usual.  Camden LGBT Forum refused to host any bisexual events, and called them “Flops.”  School’s Out, the official organisers of LGBT History Month and the LGBT Festival, refused to acknowledge the many queries they received about the lack of bisexual content during the month (until a day before the month ended).  They also never answered any queries about the lack of bisexual content and speakers.

The bi communities came out in force, as did the queer, trans and intersex people of colour communities, to support their members during February.  This was in stark contrast to the large funded organisations who say they’re LGBT, but are often only for lesbians and gays only.  For many bisexual people of colour, this type of poor behaviour is nothing new.

We still have many sets of posters available: if your library, community centre or organisation would like a set, please contact us at bis.of.colour@gmail.com  If you would prefer to receive a PDF of the posters, please let us know – this may be especially useful if you live outside of the UK.

Here’s hoping the rest of the year is more positive to both people of colour, and to bisexuals too.

Nila is the Co-founder of Bi’s of Colour.  Please help support them in this difficult time.

Below is my letter to School’s Out over the lack of bisexual inclusion in their official program:

I read through your magazine that accompanies LGBT history month.  Apart from the pictures of David Bowie, I couldn’t find anything that was specifically bisexual.  

I was invited to take part in the LGBT History Month event in Bristol on 20th February, after being told by someone else involved, that there wasn’t a single bisexual session in it.  They realised at the last minute that they needed a bisexual speaker to be there.

I was contacted by someone who attended the launch of LGBT History Month  last weekend in London.  They told me there wasn’t any bisexual content or speakers at the event.

These are just 3 examples of the lack of bisexuality in LGBT History Month.  I realise that we bisexuals have to put ourselves forward, but if we are never asked to participate, then how can we?  I have been very disappointed with all of this, because it happens year after year.  I’ve been told that bisexuality is covered within LGBT talks and sessions, but that isn’t a good enough way to include us.  If I don’t see that something is specifically bisexual, I and many others will assume we aren’t wanted there, and won’t be addressed either.  This assumption has formed because of the countless times bisexuals are promised inclusion, but nothing has appeared.

So I have 2 questions for you:
How can you have a LGBT event with no B present?
What are you going to do to ensure this doesn’t happen again next year?

bisofcolour:

SAVE THE DATE!

Sunday 14th of February may be Valentines Day, but it’s also the Bi’s of Colour Celebration for LGBT History Month!

Where: Peckham Library (5th floor) - 122 Peckham Hill St, London SE15 5JR.  Nearest train station is Peckham Rye (has lots of stairs) or Peckham Queens Road (has a lift). The library is very accessible, with decent loos inside and ramps to enter.

When: 1pm - 3pm

Why: LGBT History Month is traditionally not a great time for either People of Colour or Bisexuals.  We tend to get erased, and our history is ignored.  Jacq Applebee will be talking about our history project, and there will be refreshments too!  

If you need any more info, email us at bis.of.colour@gmail.com

bisofcolour:

February is #LGBT History Month in the U.K.  There are a few events with content from bisexual AND Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people.  For more information on LGBT History Month events across the country, see http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/

February 4th Expansions  - 6:30pm onwards - https://t.co/lIitRwIwDE -
Idea Store Watney Market, 260 Commercial road E1 2FB

February 14th Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street London SE15 5JR
1-3 Bi’s of Colour Event, with food, socialising, stories and talks. Wheelchair accessible.

February 20th Bristol National LGBT Festival - History and Stories from J. Applebee – the only bisexual content in the entire festival! http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/event/national-history-day-bristol/?instance_id=2882

February 27th Manchester – 5pm - LGBT Foundation – 5 Richmond St, Manchester M1 3HF –
Past, present and future of Bisexuals of Colour from J. Applebee

bisofcolour:

The abstract for this poster:

Fear is an emotion that was raised throughout the first-ever report on Bisexuals who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.  Fear mixed with corresponding negative experiences, which many bisexual People of Colour report, may lead to or worsen adverse mental health, including depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide idelation.  Bisexual People of Colour have spoken of their experiences of racism, biphobia, sexism, abelism and fetishization both within and outside of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities.  These intersecting oppressions leads to an ongoing fear of being “out” in daily life. Fear was also raised in connection with family rejection, risks of violence including sexual violence and honour-based violence, which leads the bisexual person of colour to exist in a near-constant state of heightened awareness and dread.  All of these experiences, both lived and potential, places a great mental strain on bisexual people of colour.
There is currently very little information on bisexual people in the United Kingdom, and even less on People of Colour who identify as bisexual; this leads to mental health treatments being unsatisfatory or inappropriate for this group.
The Bisexuals of Colour Report can be read in full at: https://bisexualresearch.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/bis-of-colour-survey-report.pdf

Not too long before UK’s LGBT History Month.  The 5-poster set on the experiences of Bi’s of colour is almost ready to go out!

If you are/know of a library, community centre or charity that could use this resource, please email me at bis.of.colour@gmail.com and I’ll add you to the mailing list.

Not too long before UK’s LGBT History Month.  The 5-poster set on the experiences of Bi’s of colour is almost ready to go out!

If you are/know of a library, community centre or charity that could use this resource, please email me at bis.of.colour@gmail.com and I’ll add you to the mailing list.