Bringing bisexual voices together
The Bi Series Takeover happened on 19th August 2017, at the LGBT Foundation in Manchester. I didn’t know what to expect of this event, with it coming only a week after BiCon. During BiCon I received several emails and texts from bisexuals of colour about the poor treatment they had received at that event. I was worried that it would be more of the same at the Takeover. My worries were for nothing, as it was a very positive event. I was informed that it had the same amount of bisexuals of colour in attendance as BiCon had (an event 4 times as big). There were trans only spaces, bisexuals of colour only spaces, and it was all held in a reasonably accessible building. The heavy rain didn’t seem to put people off, as it was very well attended, with people coming from far and wide.
In the Bi’s of Colour session there were discussions about recent Blackface incidents at LGBT events in Manchester and Durham, and how these insulting acts had to be challenged over and again by People of Colour. We also spoke about the possibility of a longer Bi’s of Colour event - a retreat or conference; everyone was very happy about that! The call for submissions to the Bi’s of Colour book was repeated: £50 for any bisexual person of colour whose piece was accepted into the book (we haven’t turned anyone down yet!). The closing date is 21st December 2017. If you want to know more, or submit a piece of work, contact us on bis.of.colour@gmail.com
I have hesitated about posting this link. Stonewall used to be AWFUL to bisexual people, but they have improved a bit over the years since the current person in charge took over.
If you do consider attending this FREE programme, ask questions, don’t get fobbed off, and practice self care. Bisexual People of Colour get all kinds of negativity from people who should know better. You do not deserve to be dismissed or erased, wherever you are.
For the last three years, I have been working as a bi volunteer and activist in Leeds. Throughout that time, I have been thrilled by the increase in bi inclusion, both for bi specific events, like Bi Visibility Day, and at events for the wider LGBT+ community, like Leeds Pride.
This year, Leeds Pride was bigger and better than ever. Leeds Bi Group was invited to participate by running a stall at Leeds Queer Film Fest’s film night on the Friday evening and Leeds City Council’s Pride marketplace at the City Museum on the Saturday.
Leeds Bi Group also secured funding from Leeds Pride’s community fund and a free venue from Leeds Cosmopolitan Hotel to enable us to run a Pre Pride Bi+ Brunch on the morning of the big march. A great time was had by all with excellent food and service from the hotel, face painting, placard making and generally getting into the Pride spirit. We had dozens of attendees kicking off Leeds Pride Sunday with a celebration of bisexuality before the group joined the LGBT+ parade to welcome cheers from the crowds.
Groups and organisations in Leeds and the rest of Yorkshire have already been
supporting Bi Visibility Day by joining the social media thunderclap (see blog post: http://www.freedomquarter.com/lgbtblog/bi-visibility- day), within days the social media reach was already set to reach 1.8 million on Twitter!
There has also been support for BiCon (see blog post:
http://www.freedomquarter.com/lgbtblog/2017/1/20/bicon-is- coming-to-
leeds?rq=bicon) with Leeds City Council funding free tote bags for all attendees and MESMAC getting involved with free sexual health testing.
Bicon, Leeds - Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th of August 2017
Lea, a member of Leeds Bi Group recently commented that Leeds City Council have definitely stepped up their game within the last few years, showing support online as well as ensuring bi+ inclusion at their events:
“…It has been refreshing to watch over the last couple of years how Leeds is finally starting to wake up, to embrace me and others like me, to realise we have needs, we have lives, but more importantly, Leeds City Council have started to notice us, include us, embrace us and give our being a voice within our city.”
I still recognise that all is not perfect: I still hear stories of health professionals being dismissive of their patient’s bisexuality, biphobia within some of the LGBT bars and inequality of funding for some services. However, amazing progress has been made and I’m excited to see what the next three years have in store.
This post was a long time coming. People of all ethnicities are often guilty of doing this, and it hurts Black people the world over.
Each year, the bi+ community and their allies' fight to tackle bi invisibility and erasure is highlighted annually on Bi Visibility Day, 23rd September.
This is a chance to celebrate, educate and shout from the roof tops. One way of doing this (and a nice, easy way to offer your support) is to join the yearly thunderclap: a social media tool where you sign up to a prewritten message with your Twitter or Facebook account which then publishes the message on the 23rd.
Last year the Bi Visibility Day thunderclap reached its minimum of 100 supporters after a few weeks, this year it was obtained within 48 hours of going live! The momentum is very encouraging, with a month and a half still to go, the more support the better. Last year #BiVisibilityDay trended 2nd on Twitter; let's see if we can beat that this year?
To join the thunderclap, follow this link and register with your social media accounts: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/60029-it-s-bi-visibility-day that's all it takes!
If you would like to find out more ways to get involved with Bi Visibility Day, email leedsbigroup@gmail.com. You can also find events in your area (and worldwide) at www.bivisibilityday.com.
