Bi Visibility Day

Bi Visibility Day History

Bi Visibility Day, also known as International Celebrate Bisexuality Day, is an annual event that aims to raise awareness and celebrate the unique experiences of bisexual individuals. The day seeks to promote understanding, dispel myths, and combat biphobia and discrimination faced by bisexual people. This observance also provides an opportunity for the broader LGBTQ+ community and its allies to express solidarity and support for bisexual individuals.

Bi Visibility Day was established in 1999 by Wendy Curry, Michael Page, and Gigi Raven Wilbur, three American bisexual rights activists. In the United Kingdom, the day is particularly significant since research suggests that bisexual people often face distinctive challenges compared to their lesbian and gay counterparts. According to Stonewall UK, a leading LGBTQ+ rights charity, bisexual people are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts than gay and lesbian individuals due to a lack of visibility and support, resulting in isolation.

Various events and activities are organised in the United Kingdom to observe Bi Visibility Day. These include panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, and social gatherings that create safe spaces for bisexual persons to connect and share their experiences. Additionally, LGBTQ+ organisations, allies, and media platforms utilise this day to raise awareness of biphobia and the issues faced by the bisexual community through social media campaigns and educational resources. Bi Visibility Day is celebrated worldwide on September 23rd, making a conscious effort to include and empower the bisexual community in the United Kingdom and across the globe.

Bi Visibility Day facts

• Bisexual People in the United States make up 52% of the LGB community.
• Michael Page also designed the bisexual pride flag, which includes various shades of pink, purple, and blue, in 1998, a year before the first Bi Visibility Day.
• In 2013, the White House in the United States recognized and celebrated Bi Visibility Day for the first time.
• Bi Pride UK is a UK-based organization that aims to create safe spaces for bisexual individuals to celebrate their sexuality. They hosted the first-ever Bi Pride event in London in 2019, attracting hundreds of attendees and support from various LGBTQ+ organizations.
• In the UK, mental health organizations have highlighted the struggles faced by bisexual individuals, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm, particularly among bisexual women.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Bi Visibility Day

Top things to do in the UK for Bi Visibility Day

• Visit LGBTQ+ organizations' websites, read books and articles about the bisexual experience, and have open conversations with friends, family, and colleagues about bisexuality. Bi Visibility Day is an opportunity to challenge biphobia, dispel misconceptions, and promote understanding.
• Spend time in LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, such as London's Soho, Manchester's Canal Street, or Brighton's Kemptown. Many bars, clubs, and restaurants in these areas might hold special events or offer discounts to show their support on Bi Visibility Day.