What is Bisexual Awareness Week?

Bisexual Awareness Week is a global event observed annually during the week leading up to September 23rd, which is Bi Visibility Day. The week is dedicated to raising awareness about bisexuality and addressing the unique challenges faced by bisexual individuals, such as bi-erasure and biphobia. It also aims to celebrate the contributions of bisexual people to society and promote acceptance and inclusion within both the LGBTQ+ community and the broader world. The event seeks to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about bisexuality, encouraging greater visibility and understanding.

Since its inception in 2014, Bisexual Awareness Week has gained international recognition, with advocacy groups, LGBTQ+ organizations, and educational institutions participating in events and discussions that promote bisexual visibility and pride.

History and Origin

Bisexual Awareness Week was co-founded in 2014 by GLAAD and BiNet United States, two prominent organizations advocating for bisexual rights and visibility. The week was created to extend the impact of Bi Visibility Day, which had been observed since 1999, into a week-long campaign aimed at highlighting the unique issues bisexual individuals face, including discrimination from both straight and LGBTQ+ communities. By dedicating an entire week to bisexual visibility, the goal is to foster greater inclusivity and address the mental health challenges often faced by bisexual individuals due to bi-erasure and lack of acceptance.

Who Celebrates Bisexual Awareness Week?

• Bisexual Individuals: People who identify as bisexual use this week to celebrate their identity, share their stories, and advocate for more visibility and inclusion.
• LGBTQ+ Organizations: Groups dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community organize events, educational workshops, and social media campaigns to raise awareness about bisexuality.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations like GLAAD and BiNet United States work to promote bisexual rights and raise awareness about the discrimination bisexual people face, using the week to launch new initiatives and campaigns.
• Universities and Educational Institutions: Schools and universities host panels, discussions, and workshops to educate students and faculty about bisexuality and the challenges faced by the bisexual community.
• Allies: Supporters of bisexual rights participate by attending events, sharing resources, and raising awareness about biphobia and bi-erasure on social media.

Slogans and Themes

The themes of Bisexual Awareness Week emphasize visibility, pride, and acceptance. Slogans like “Bi and Proud” and “Celebrate Bisexuality, Embrace Diversity” are commonly used to encourage bisexual individuals to embrace their identity and to educate others about the importance of bisexual inclusion. The week also focuses on fighting stereotypes, highlighting the diversity of bisexual experiences, and advocating for bisexual representation in media and society.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

• Colors:
  • Pink, Purple, and Blue: Represent the Bisexual Pride Flag, with pink symbolizing attraction to the same gender, blue representing attraction to other genders, and purple reflecting the overlap of those attractions.
• Symbols:
  • Bisexual Pride Flag: The main symbol of bisexual pride, frequently displayed during events and shared on social media to celebrate bisexual visibility.
  • Double Moon: A symbol representing the fluidity and inclusivity of bisexual attraction, often seen in bisexual pride designs.
• Patterns:
  • Rainbow: Often used to represent the broader LGBTQ+ community, connecting bisexual pride to the larger movement for equality.
  • Interlocking Circles: Representing the fluid nature of bisexuality and attraction to multiple genders.

Most Used Hashtags

• #BiWeek
• #BisexualAwarenessWeek
• #BiVisibility
• #BiPride
• #CelebrateBisexuality

How to Celebrate

• Attend Bi Week Events: Many LGBTQ+ centers and organizations host events such as workshops, panel discussions, and film screenings to raise awareness about bisexuality and celebrate bisexual pride.
• Wear Bisexual Pride Colors: Show your support by wearing the pink, purple, and blue of the Bisexual Pride Flag and encouraging others to do the same.
• Share Your Story: If you’re bisexual, share your experiences on social media using #BiWeek and other hashtags to connect with the community and promote visibility.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Take time to learn about bisexuality and the issues bisexual individuals face, such as bi-erasure and biphobia, and share that information with others to promote understanding.
• Support Bisexual Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that work to support bisexual rights and visibility, such as BiNet United States and GLAAD.

Importance of Bisexual Awareness Week

Bisexual Awareness Week is crucial because it addresses bi-erasure and the marginalization bisexual people face, both in straight and LGBTQ+ spaces. Many bisexual individuals experience discrimination or mental health challenges due to the lack of visibility and understanding about their identity. By promoting bisexual visibility, the week aims to combat biphobia, educate the public, and create a more inclusive society where bisexual people feel accepted and validated. The event also serves as a reminder of the need for bisexual representation in media, politics, and public life.