Monday 23 September is Bi Visibility Day and this year marks 25 years since the first Bi Visibility Day in 1999. Bi Visibility Day raises bi awareness and challenges bisexual & biromantic erasure.
Bi Visibility Day is part of Bisexual Awareness Week from 16-23 September. Look out for the Bi Flag over Sussex House.
Stonewall have a Bi Visibility Hub with a range of resources and articles including ‘Why Do We Need A Bi Visibility Day?’
The terms ‘Bi’ or ‘Bi+’ can be used to recognise that there are a range of identities and experiences that fall under the Bi umbrella, including bisexual, pansexual, biromantic, and m-spec (multi-spectrum) attraction.
Bi Visibility at Sussex
The LGBTQ+ Staff Network has two Bi Reps on its organising committee, strengthening its commitment to support LGBTQIA+ people at Sussex and focusing on bi-specific initiatives.
To find out more about the network or to join the network please visit: LGBTQ+ Staff Network
Bi Rep Helena MacCormack shared reflections ahead of Bi Visibility Day: “As we approach the 25th anniversary of Bi Visibility Day on Monday 23 September, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on its ongoing importance. Bi Visibility Week (16-22 September) gives us a chance to highlight the unique experiences and challenges faced by bisexual people, and it’s an important reminder of the visibility and advocacy we still need.
As well as working in my role at the University Library, I am an independent theatre artist. This year, I have been developing a new performance project called "Bisexuelle," which delves into the specific challenges of bimisogyny (the delightful cocktail of biphobia mixed with misogyny). Throughout my research, I've heard some deeply troubling personal stories of prejudice and discrimination, as well as concerning statistics such as those detailed in the Stonewall Bi Report (2022). These findings highlight why Bi Visibility Day is still so necessary. It’s a reminder that, alongside broader queerphobia, biphobia is a distinct issue that often needs more attention, even within our own LGBTQ+ community.
Building a supportive community is key to tackling these issues. Our LGBTQ+ Staff Network hosts various events throughout the year, like our recent LGBTQ+ History Month talk with Vaneet Mehta, author of Bisexual Men Exist. (You can access the recording here if you missed it.) We hold social events online and in-person to help LGBTQ+ folks across campus connect. Our committee includes two Bi Reps, myself and Hermione La Chapelle, and we are always eager to welcome new members to join our efforts in fostering an inclusive environment for everyone at the university.
Wishing everyone, including our allies, a reflective and supportive Bi Visibility Day.”
In cur community – upcoming events
The Coast is Queer – the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ literature festival takes place on Sussex’s Falmer Campus, at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, 10-13 October.
The festival brings together authors and poets, performers, scriptwriters, activists and audiences to celebrate queer lives and writing with a number brilliant talks, events and activities planned.
Experiencing exclusion and erasure
Bi people often face exclusion both from heterosexual and LGBTQ+ spaces, Bi people are less likely to be ‘out’ to all of their colleagues and family compared to gay men and lesbians, and Bi people often experience an ‘erasure’ of their Bi identity.
A study by the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, ‘Bisexual People Experience Worse Health Outcomes in England’ (2023), found that “Bisexual adults report poorer physical and mental health outcomes compared to any other sexuality.”
Support for staff and students
Our Sussex community has a number of inclusive groups for both staff and students, including:
- Staff members who identify as LGBTQIA+ can join our LGBTQ+ Staff Network by contacting lbgt-staff@sussex.ac.uk.
- Students who identify as LGBT+ can join the Students’ Union’s LGBTQ+ Society and contact the Students’ Union officers for support.
- Students can also find a number of resources and support in relation to sexuality at the Student Centre.
- Staff can contact a Dignity and Respect Champion, who are there to support staff who want to raise concerns about Dignity and Respect at Sussex.
- More information can be found on the EDI Unit’s LGBTQ+ Equality web pages.
The University has clear expectations of how all members of its community treat – and are treated by – others. We will not tolerate bullying, harassment and violence, including sexual violence, racial harassment and hate crime.
If you or someone else has experienced behaviours such as bullying, harassment, a hate incident, sexual violence, domestic abuse or discrimination, you can let us know using this Report and Support tool.