I was interviewed by Empathize This ( http://empathizethis.com) a great website that creates comic strips based on social justice. I contacted them with an idea, and they encouraged me to tell of my experiences attending LGBT pride. They are very open to people sharing their stories, and were helpful through the whole process.
I wish biphobia at LGBT events didn’t happen, but they do at almost every single one I’ve been to. I felt so sad when I saw the image of myself crying at Brighton pride, after I was spat on; it’s one of the most horrible things to happen in a supposedly LGBT space. I remember how alone I felt when it happened. I also remember how that incident still makes me nervous at times. However, the final image of me hugging a bisexual heart makes me smile. I am happy to be bi. I’m happy that I can love others. I just wish lesbian and gay folks would be happy to leave me alone too.
Big Bi Fun Day 2014 was a blast! I had been very unwell for a month, so I didn’t know if I would be able to make it, but I’m glad I did. The event was held in Leicester, UK, at the Quaker Friends Meeting House (although the Quakers had no involvement in the event)
The weather was sunny and incredibly hot; the garden was full of happy bi folks, their friends and families. There were quite a few children present who all enjoyed the garden facilities, although I did spot a few adults making castles in the sand pit, and taking advantage of the swings!
I found I had very little energy when I arrived, but I still had a go learning how to use flower sticks (I can twirl it now!). I also enjoyed the quiet room with the free books and games.
I returned home at 5 o’clock, totally exhausted, but I had a brilliant time. Most of the other attendees went to nearby Victoria Park for some more fun in the sun.
Big Bi Fun Day managed to raise enough money to cover their costs, so they will be back in 2015. Many thanks to Sanji for a wonderful event!
Dear Dan Savage, It pains me to say this. I like you. I don’t think you’re perfect, or have any obligation to be. I don’t think you have a responsibility to be an official representative of everyone with a smidge of queerness in the world. I don’t agree with everything you say- not a bit!- […]
Being present and visible is something that I often struggle with. There have been countless incidents in my life when I’ve been told, “Are you sure you’re in the right place?” This doesn’t happen when I’m lost, but almost every time I go to a queer space, or a white-dominated space (which is often the same thing). After a while I start wondering if there is another place I could be. I keep searching, hoping to be in a more accepting environment, but it hasn’t happened yet. I suppose the thing that has changed is me wanting to stick around when I feel so unwelcome. Biphobia, racism, fatphobia, class-hatred are some of the things that I am bombarded with on a daily basis. It gets tiring. It only adds to me feeling like crap. I don’t know if things will improve, but I don’t just want to exist. I want to be happy to be here: happy to be alive.
It seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Here we all are, doing our thing in a world that has plenty real threats against us, and people pick who someone loves or what gender they are as reasons to despise them. On face value, it doesn’t make any sense.
I’m still bisexual.I’m still hanging around with geeky/nerdy white folks. I love my friends most of the time, but they also manage to piss me off on a regular basis.Hence the extended bingo card.It is still my major resource to surviving interactions with them with my brain intact. And without being incredibly lonely.
I’m going to concentrate on the centre four squares, because I actually have a job, and it ain’t this.No further explanations of the outer boxes will be given.Please don’t ask.
Game of Thrones
This show manages to tick every single box of what it is like to be on the outside of popular culture, watching horrified at the world around you.It manages to be racist, misogynistic and triggering to survivors of violence and/or abuse.http://smokeandstir.org/2013/06/22/game-of-thrones-racism-and-white-saviors/
So many white geeky/nerdy folks love this show, and will not shut the hell up about it.Dare you complain about any of this, and you will encounter the next square on the bingo card.
No other black people around
You’ll probably notice how alone you are if you try to speak up about anything.Not all white folks are racist, but the cluelessness and privelige that many have can leave you flummoxed.Get used to explaining why things are hurtful, insulting and racist, because that will be your major contribution, whether you like it or not.
Steampunk
Or what happened when Goths discovered the colour brown.Never mind that steampunk is a fictional concept, it’s a case of history repeating itself and ignoring people of colour.Do an internet search of “Steampunk images of people” and try to find more than three people who are black.Scroll down a good few pages.Go on, I’ll wait for you to come back.Not much luck?Yeah.I thought so.
Racism Apologists
I wish this wasn’t on here.I wish I didn’t have to encounter this in almost every conversation I have with white geeky/nerdy white folks.But I do.Some examples I’ve personally had to grit my teeth through…
“X isn’t racist, it’s artistic.”
“X isn’t racist, it’s an accurate portrayal of the time period (even if it’s set in the future)
“X isn’t racist, because Islam isn’t a race.” (seriously, do not get me started on this one)
“X isn’t racist, because Scottish/Welsh people get called names too. Nobody starts a riot about that.”
Gah.
Things that didn’t make the card: Esperanto, Torture Garden club night, Richard Dawkins.
Things I removed from previous card: Slutwalk, Referencing the Guardian newspaper.
And lastly…
Bitcoin.Seriously?Everyone has way too much time on their hands.
Kat Gupta, Maryam Bibi Din & El Dia, three of the four organisers of the Community stage.
Bi badges from Uncharted Worlds. http://www.uncharted-worlds.org/identitybadges/
Pagan Pride http://www.paganpride.org.uk/pagan-pride-2013/
My British Sign Language signer was a patient soul!
Love this badge!
Two presenters from Nottingham's Trent Sound radio station
Kat enjoying the music at Nottinghamshire Pride.
I had a wonderful time at Nottinghamshire Pride. It was the first pride festival where I performed my work. I read my Biphobia story and my Personal Ad hell poem (I was asked to do non-smut!) on the Community stage. It was certainly daunting to look out at all the people having picnics on the grass as I read out loud.
This was only my second time at Nottinghamshire Pride. I got totally lost in Nottingham, but some friendly goths helped me find my way. I felt really welcomed the whole day, which was great.
I read my pieces in the afternoon, so I had a lot of time to enjoy all the other acts including a brililant dance troupe, soulful Single Bass, and some spoken word from Seattle’s El Dia, whose Dragon Lady tune blew me away. Maryam Bibi Din did a mythbusting piece on Queer Muslims that would have made the entire day worth it. There was just so much to enjoy!
No place in Scotland for transphobia. I loved these Mugs. Plenty of Doctor Who fans at BiCon. My Braveheart Drag King story was a hoot! I won a Bisexual Cake award for my activism. Some resources for bisexual and trans folks. BiCon 2013 was held a...
The copies of Bi Community News were a big hit at Black Pride.
It was so good to see many LGBT folks wearing African and Asian dress.
UNISON were out at Black Pride, looking really happy.
A great guy from Imaan, the LGBT Muslim group.
The folks from the London Black Aetheist group dropped by.
This is what happens when two people try to out-Indian each other!
UK Black Pride was just excellent! I had a wonderful time in an oasis of relaxation. I was joined by lots of queer and trans people of colour throughout the day. They brought energy, laughter and some good food too!
