Raising Our Standards: How to Get Your Local Council to Fly the Bi Flag
It may only be February, but bi activists up and down the country are already planning their activities for Bi Visibility Day 2017, and getting our flag raised is on most of their agendas. But how do they do it?
After successfully hoisting the bisexual flag over Oxford in 2016, Stephanie talks us through the steps.
This is a photo of the Bi flag flying proudly over Oxford Town Hall for the first time on Bisexual Visibility Day 2016. Since I began lobbying councillors and senior staff to make this happen I have acquired a detailed and unprecedented knowledge of flag flying protocol at Oxford City Council, (OCC). Not every council is the same, but most are at least similar. Here’s my handy ‘how to’ guide should any other bi activists feel inspired to give it a go.
Realise it will take time
I first had the idea to do… Continue reading
“It boils down to visibility in the end”: We talk to Marcus Morgan about CaBiRet
Following the success of CaBiRet in October, and with whispers on the wind of another event in the new year, we caught up with Marcus Morgan of the Bisexual Index to find out how CaBiRet came about – and what we can hope for in the future.
Hello Marcus. Let’s get right down to business. How did the idea for CaBiRet come about?
As August progressed I found myself looking ahead to Bisexual Visibility Day. Looking ahead but not so much looking forward. I realised that although there were things planned for the launch of the book I’d been involved with, Purple Prose, I didn’t have any bisexual events I could go to for Bi Visibility Day itself.
There wasn’t anything in London on the day?
That’s right. And not just geographically – the sort of event I would want to go to wasn’t happening. I have very fond… Continue reading
Bisexual Pride Flag Flies Over Camden Town Hall
The bisexual pride flag was today raised over a London council building for the first time.
Nadia Shah, who was appointed Mayor of Camden in May 2016, hoisted the flag in a small ceremony on the roof of Camden Town Hall at 1oam today. The ceremony was attended by members of the Bisexual Index and Camden LGBT Forum as well as local activists and civic staff.
Mayor Nadia Shah addresses the crowd
The flag has been flown at Council buildings in Brighton and Hove since 2012, but other councils have been reluctant to follow suit. This year, just five further councils (including Camden) – out of more than 410 – have chosen to follow suit.
The Bisexual Index told Biscuit, “a lot of councils have told us that they fly the rainbow flag for gay pride, and that we’re included in that. But bisexuals… Continue reading
What’s Happening in the UK for Bi Visibility Day
Here’s Biscuit’s guide to the events celebrating Bisexual Visibility Day throughout the UK. Looking for a bi event near you? look no further!
Warm up for Bisexual Visibility Day on 14th September at INCITE!@Phoenix, where LGBT Poet Laureate Trudy Howson hosts professional and amateur poets and chats to poets Genevieve L Walsh and Sven Stears. Of course, the theme of this INCITE! is bisexuality.
On 20th September ParliOUT hosts Purple Prose editor Kate Harrad and bi activist and poet Jacq Applebee for a Lunch and Learn for LGBT parliamentary staff in Westminster.
In Bolton, you’ll find a display packed with information at Bolton Library. The display will remain in place until 26th September so pop down for a look!
In Southampton on 22nd September Bi Wessex hosts an informal networking event at Cafe Momento.
Also on 22nd in Central London, OUTstanding hosts… Continue reading
Bi Visibility Day: Activists For LGBT Charity Stonewall Tell Their Stories
Stonewall, the biggest LGBT charity in the UK, hasn’t always had the best track record when it comes to bisexual visibility in its campaigns. But things are changing fast under a new leadership team and here at Biscuit we salute their efforts – and bring you two bi activists very proud to be speaking out under the Stonewall banner…
Sarah Lynn, Communications Officer, Stonewall Cymru
I recently started my first relationship with a woman. Despite knowing that I identify very openly as bi (pansexual to be exact), and that I had previously dated men, my housemate and friends like to crack jokes about how me and my girlfriend will soon be moving in together and getting a cat – because that’s what lesbians do.
Ridiculous stereotypes and tired jokes aside, knowing that even though I am very open about my sexuality, it is still not taken seriously by those… Continue reading
Bi Visibility Day: “My friend gave me a magnet that said ‘Bi Now, Gay Later’…”
Bi Visibility Day, says Sarah Evans, is a day to celebrate those who are vocal and proud – like these women.
I like to enjoy my supportive community and encourage others to be visible but the people I try and celebrate the most are those who make it their mission to challenge biphobia, bi erasure and my new pet hate – assumption.
In 2013 LGBT Youth North West started a brilliant campaign to challenge heterosexism (the idea that everyone in society is presumed to be heterosexual) called “Don’t Assume…”. It started with “Don’t assume I’m heterosexual” then young people started completing the sentences with their own endings. It made me think about how many people have assumed that my sexuality is a phase, that I won’t be monogamous, and that because I have a female partner I am no longer bi. I started to get angry. It’s been two years… Continue reading
Event: “Identity v Misbehaviour: Miscommunication Between Lesbian & Bi Women”
Friday 25th September
Goldsmiths, University of London
SE14 6NW
6.30-8.30pm
Run by Gracey Morgan for the Goldsmiths LGBTQ* Society
Marking Bi-Visibility Day by bringing together leading bi activists, writers, thinkers, and community leaders to discuss this important topic.
Speakers include:
Prof. Surya Monro – A leading academic specialising in sexuality
Jacqueline Applebee – Renowned writer and poet
Elaine McKenzie – Prioprietor of Glass Bar Events
Faith Cheltenham- President of BiNet USA
Hopefully we will touch on questions such as:
▼ “Why is there such a big separation within the LGBTQ Community, especially among lesbian and bi women of color?”
▼ “Why is there so much distrust between lesbian women and bisexual women?”
▼ “Why do some lesbian sisters within the LGBT community still continue to ostracise their bi sisters?”
▼ “When did communications began breaking down between the two?
▼ “Are there similarities/differences between the two, and does identity… Continue reading
Bi Visibility Day: “I was invited to the White House to discuss bisexuality.”
Whenever the administration requests an off-the-record meeting, attendees are not allowed to discuss specifics. The privacy allows individuals to talk freely. As much as I’d love to share the details, I need to respect the condition.
The eight policy briefs decided, however, have been made public. These focus on the following: Data Collection; Education; Employment and Entrepreneurship; HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care; Immigration and Asylum; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention; Physical Health; and Violence. More information on these is available here
For this piece, however, I would like to share… Continue reading →