What Bi Visibility Day means to me… 

Health Support Worker Rachel Lonsdale blogs for Bi Visibility Day on 23rd September

I have identified as bisexual since I was a teenager, but believe I have experienced bisexuality for longer than that. Putting a ‘label’ on sexuality isn’t always needed, however for me I feel it really helped to explain how I feel and my attractions towards men and women.

Bi Visibility Day is so important to me as society still has myths regarding bisexuality, and these need to be debunked and biphobia needs to end. Society can often view us as ‘greedy’ or ‘half gay, half straight’, which is not the case. People who identify as bisexual are attracted to more than one gender, including the binary genders of male and female, as well as people who identify as non-binary and other genders. Because of this, society can sometimes think that bisexual people are more likely to be unfaithful in relationships, however this is untrue.

In my experience, people have thought our attraction is a 50/50 split between male and female, which for me isn’t the case, and is often not as simple as that for many bisexual people. Also, a bisexual person is still bisexual, regardless of what gender they are currently in a relationship with. For example, I am in a relationship with a man, however I am still bisexual and fully identify with bisexuality. This does not mean I am now heterosexual or ‘straight’, or any less bisexual.

Bi Visibility Day is so helpful for not only bisexual people, but also for those in society who are not educated on bisexuality and what it means. Bisexual people sharing their experiences of their identity and educating others on what bisexuality is can all help to raise awareness of the bisexual community as we are often overlooked compared to the rest of the LGBT+ community. The community as a whole is amazing and I feel so proud to be a part of it, however, more needs to be done for those who are bisexual as we are just as valid, just as real and loved as the rest of the LGBT+ community.

It has taken me a while to become fully comfortable with my sexuality, as experiencing biphobia and negative comments has made me question this on many occasions. However, Bi Visibility Day really helps me as other bisexual people share their experiences, some similar to mine, which helps me feel less alone and more part of a community.

I feel so proud to be bisexual – love always wins!

Kate Ward, Co-founder of the Trust’s LGBT+ network Rainbow Alliance commented: “Those who identify as bisexual can often be a forgotten part of the LGBT+ community as society tends to commonly reflect around the experience of gay and lesbian people. Therefore Bi Visibility Day is very important. This is a great opportunity to celebrate our bi communities and generate thinking around how we can tackle biphobia, stereotypes and invisibility.”

Whether you identify as LGBT+, have lived experience of mental health difficulties or are an ally of the community, we’d love you to join the Trust’s network Rainbow Alliance.

To join, please email RainbowAlliance.lypft@nhs.net.

From reflections on why we need a Bi Visibility Day to the 10 ways you can be a bi ally, there’s something to inform and inspire everyone online at Stonewall’s Bi Visibility Hub https://www.stonewall.org.uk/bi-hub