MPA Celebrates Bi Visibility Day | 23 September 2024

Written by the MPA DEI Team

Bi Visibility Day takes place annually on 23 September. It began as, and sometimes is still, referred to as “International Celebrate Bisexuality Day”.

The founders, Wendy Curry, Michael Page and Gigi Raven Wilbur are three bi activists from the United States and founded the day in 1999. Michael Page is well known for designing the bisexual flag. The flag is pink, purple and blue horizontal lines. The pink stripe represents same-gender attraction, blue represents opposite-gender attraction and purple is symbolic of the blending of the overlap of these attractions.

Jen Yockney started the day in the UK and it became “Bi Visibility Day”, which has since spread worldwide.
In the UK, Bi Visibility Day has become a key event in the LGBTQIA+ calendar, helping to elevate the voices and experiences of bisexual people and challenge stereotypes that often lead to bi-erasure and discrimination. It is deliberately bi and not bisexual to include those who are bisexual and biromantic but perhaps not both.

Why is it important to celebrate?
The bisexuality part of LGBTQIA+ community is referred to as the “forgotten” part. It’s important to celebrate bisexuality and understand the difficulties that the bisexual community can experience. The lack of bisexual representation in media, politics, and public life further compounds this problem. This invisibility can prevent bisexual people from feeling seen or understood, particularly those who are still exploring their sexual identity.

Bisexuality is still widely misunderstood. Bisexual individuals are often subjected to harmful myths and misconceptions, such as the idea that they are “confused” or “experimenting,” or that bisexuality is simply a phase. These stereotypes can lead to a sense of invisibility and isolation, even within the LGBTQIA+ community, where bisexual people may feel marginalised.

This erasure can have real-world consequences. Studies have shown that bisexual individuals experience higher rates of mental health challenges compared to their gay, lesbian, and heterosexual counterparts. According to Stonewall’s LGBT in Britain – Health Report (2018), 43% of bisexual people have experienced discrimination in the last year due to their sexual orientation, and they are more likely to feel lonely or excluded.

This makes visibility crucial. Bi Visibility Day is a chance to challenge these negative stereotypes, show solidarity with bisexual people, and create a more inclusive environment where bisexuality is celebrated as a valid and beautiful identity.

What can you do?

There are many ways to get involved and celebrate Bi Visibility Day, such as;

• Attending events and webinars.
• Organising training sessions for colleagues and staff.
• Understanding bisexual history – read up on bisexuality. Understanding bisexuality more deeply will help you become a better ally. Some great resources include Stonewall UK, Bi Pride UK, and The Bisexual Index.
• Challenge Bi-erasure – Whether in the workplace, among friends, or within the LGBTQIA+ community, challenge bi-erasure when you see it. If someone dismisses or downplays bisexuality, offer a gentle correction or encourage a more inclusive conversation

Bi Visibility Day is not just about one day of celebration. It’s about working towards a future where bisexuality is seen, accepted, and celebrated all year round. While progress is being made in the UK, it’s clear that there’s still more work to do to ensure bisexual people feel validated and represented.

As we celebrate this important day, let’s remember that true visibility comes from listening, learning and lifting each other up. Bisexuality is a rich and diverse identity and everyone deserves to live their truth openly and without fear.

Events
Bi Visibility Day Speed Mating Tickets, Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
Bi The Way (Over 50s) Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Celebrating Bisexual Visibility (mygwork.com)
Bi Night – LGBTQ+ Speed Dating London – 15th October Tickets, Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite

Resources
Bi Pride UK | Attraction beyond gender
Bi Visibility Hub | Stonewall

For more information or to join our BeYOU Employee Network Group, please contact:

Helen Choudhury
Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity
[email protected]

 Mandy Feighery
Diversity and Inclusivity Officer
[email protected]