Right now, it’s September, which can mean a million different things: the beginning of the school year, autumn, cooler temperatures, exams, apple picking, and so much more.
But there’s one thing that dominates September. Sometimes, it’s overlooked. Other times, it’s lauded. What makes September shine is that it’s Bisexual Visibility Month!
As a bisexual woman, this is an important time in my life. Since coming out in March, I’ve found support in my friends, family, the organizations I’m a part of, and the University of Connecticut Rainbow Center. I’ve also immersed myself into LGBTQIA+ movies, entered the world of queer literature, and exposed my ears to fascinating LGBTQIA+ artists like Ricky Martin, Elton John, Indigo Girls, and Brandi Carlile. The biggest thing I’ve done since coming out is feeling proud of my identity. Never once have I doubted myself or felt inferior to my peers.
If you’re also bisexual, September is a special month for you as well. Whether you’re already familiar with Bisexual Visibility Month or you had no clue it existed until now, this article will give you the chance to learn about its background, its importance, and ways you can celebrate it!
What is Bisexual Visibility Month?
Bisexual Visibility Month is a time to educate, honor, celebrate, and advocate for the bisexual community. During the month, there are many events to spread awareness of bisexuality and provide support to those who are being discriminated against. Examples of events include Bi Visibility Week, which recently took place from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23. Another prominent event is Bi Visibility Day, Sept. 23.
Bi Visibility Week and Bi Visibility Day are two small segments of Bisexual Visibility Month. There are many other events that happen around the world. In the United Kingdom, Bi Social was hosted on Sept. 20 to give bisexuals an opportunity to meet up and have coffee together. On Sept. 26, Oregon is hosting Bi+ Crafts and Coffee, an event where people in the bisexual community can create crafts together. Additional events include B Curious in Belgium, Queer Book Club in Netherlands, Bi+ Brunch in Canada, Bi+ September Meetup in Australia, and Dîner BIP in France.
Why Do we have Bisexual Visibility Month, and What Does It Mean to Us?
Have you ever told someone you’re bisexual, and they responded by saying, “you’re just in a phase,” “you’re confused,” “bisexuality doesn’t exist,” or “are you telling me you’re bi so you can hide the fact that you’re gay?”
That’s why we have Bisexual Visibility Month. Because of discrimination, people like us have been looked down upon, and our identity has been threatened to be erased from existence.
People misunderstand us all the time. The above Instagram post says it all. People assume that we’re confused, we’re in a phase, or our identity doesn’t exist at all. In other words, we’re gay the instant we begin dating women, and we’re straight the moment we plant our lips on a man’s. These concepts are far from true. It’s shameful that countless people believe that bisexuality doesn’t exist, that bisexual women are identifying as bisexual only to receive attention, or that bisexual women are more likely to cheat. But these beliefs do exist, that’s the cold, sad reality.
Bisexual Visibility Month is a humongous icon in our lives. Not only does it give us representation, but it offers us a space to be heard along with an opportunity to defy the stereotypes that people use against us. The festivals hosted throughout the month give us an opportunity to show our pride and connect with peers who share the same sexuality and romantic attractions as us.
How Can We Celebrate Bisexual Visibility Month and Show Off Our Pride?
Bisexual Visibility Month isn’t just about honoring our identity. It’s about showing the world who we are, what romantic interests we have, and that we’re no less than heterosexual people. This can be accomplished in a million ways, from socializing, to reading literature, and supporting advocacy groups.
A very common way to celebrate Bisexual Visibility Month is attending bisexual events and rallies. The events I listed earlier are exceptional to attend, especially if you live in the United Kingdom, Australia, or Belgium. However, if you live in the United States, there are several events that take place around the country that you can go to. One is the Bi+ The Book Conference, an online event where bisexual writers can connect, share their experiences, and discuss writing through a bisexual lens.
Another great way to show off your bisexual pride is reading literature that focuses on bisexuality. There are a lot of books that have bisexual characters. One is Jennifer J. Coldwater’s When Ivy Met Adam, which features a bisexual woman named Ivy. In the novel, Ivy swears to never love again after having a failed relationship with her college girlfriend. But then she meets Adam, and everything changes.
Another great novel is Casey McQuiston’s I Kissed Shara Wheeler. It’s about a girl named Chloe Green, who is competing against Shara Wheeler for the valedictorian position. At one point, Shara kisses Chloe then disappears, leaving behind her notes as the sole evidence source. Using the notes, Chloe teams up with two other people that Shara kissed, and they work together to find her.
Other recommended bisexual books are Ruby Landers’ Falls From Grace, Lee Winter’s When She Flies, Rachel Kleid’s Heated Rivalry, and Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper: Volume One.
If reading isn’t your cup of tea, why don’t you try listening to a few bisexual artists? You’d be surprised how many pride songs they write. A memorable bisexual artist is Lady Gaga. She’s not just an amazing singer. Her activism in the LGBTQIA+ community is remarkable. From writing queer tunes to founding the Born This Way Foundation, Gaga has provided a lot of support to people of various gender identities and sexual orientations.
Listening to LGBTQIA+ music can go a long way, especially if you’re questioning your identity or are being oppressed. Tunes such as “Born This Way” will inspire you to never feel ashamed of who you are, and they’ll propel you to advocate for others just like you.
Attending events, reading bisexual literature, and listening to bisexual artists are just three of a trillion possible ways you can show off your pride as a bisexual woman. If you’re interested in activist conversations, consider joining or forming a bisexual campaign. You can even openly discuss your bisexuality among friends and family if you’re comfortable with it. If you’re introverted or aren’t a fan of conversations, you can buy a bisexual flag online and hang it in your room. You can also get some outfits that showcase your bisexuality. If you need inspiration, check out these bisexual fashion guides!
There’s no better time to be proud of your identity than Bisexual Visibility Month. While you should honor your pride all year long, September is the best time to do so! Just remember to be yourself and don’t let others define you. You’re a beautiful bisexual woman. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!