(In addition to the support service via Vic Aids, you may like to come along to one of our discussion groups or contact the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard. The latter provides telephone counselling for GLBTI communities).

Come along on Thursday 17th May, between 6-8pm at the Northcote Town Hall.

Bivisibility – what a difference a year can make!

By Bisexual Alliance Victoria

Each year since first taking part in Pride March  in 2006, those identifying as bisexual (originally marching as Bi Victoria , and then Bisexual Alliance Victoria , BAV, since 2011) have been subjected to taunts from small sections of the crowd. These slurs include that people who identify as bisexual ‘can’t make up their minds’, should ‘get off the fence’ and are ‘greedy’. Such taunts took the edge off the elation experienced by the affirming responses received from the crowd. Then the distress experienced by a new marcher in our group following Pride March 2011 led us to take action to increase the visibility and legitimacy of the ‘B’ in the LGBTIQQ rainbow. After all, Pride March is a part of Midsumma , an annual ‘Queer Celebration’.

We sought to raise awareness of the impact of biphobia, and that it comes from opposite and same sex attracted communities, by publishing articles in the queer press and putting out a press release about the taunts. These sparked follow-up articles, and interviews on Joy94.9  (a queer radio station in Melbourne) and Alphabet Soup  (a queer television program on Melbourne’s community television station, Channel 31). BAV also contacted Pride March president, Brett Hayhoe, who was sympathetic to our cause and ensured that we were able to take a more prominent position in Pride March 2012.

Our main message has been that bisexuality is a legitimate sexual orientation, and that research indicates that bisexual people have worse physical and mental health indicators than heterosexual and homosexual populations, including greater suicide risk.

The majority response has been sympathetic. A press release was sent out just prior to this year’s Pride March, snippets of which were published in a number of articles calling for people attending the event to avoid calling out slurs as we marched. So it was to our utter elation, no reports of taunts came up following Pride 2012, just ones of support. To quote one of our committee members, “Last year I was in tears, this year tears of joy”.

References:
Barker M, Richards C, Jones R, Bowes-Catton H, & Tracey Plowman (2012). The bisexuality report: bisexual inclusion in LGBT equality and diversity. Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance, The Open University: United Kingdom. http://bisexualresearch.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/the-bisexualityreport.pdf

Browne K, Lim J (2008). Count me in too: LGBT lives in Brighton & Hove – Additional findings, bi people. University of Brighton & Spectrum: United Kingdom. http://www.spectrum-lgbt.org/cmiToo/downloads/CMIT_Bi_Report_Dec08.pdf

Conron KJ, Mimiaga MJ, Landers SJ (2010). A population-based study of sexual orientation identity and gender differences in adult health, American Journal of Public Health, 100(10), 1953-1960. http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/content/short/100/10/1953

Cooney E (2010). Survey: bisexual women in poorest health. White coat notes, 10 June. http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/06/_gays_lesbians.html

LGBT Advisory Committee: San Francisco Human Rights Commission (2011). Bisexual invisibility: impacts and recommendations. The author: San Francisco. http://www.birequest.org/docstore/2011-SF_HRC-Bi_Iinvisibility_Report.pdf

Moon MW, Fornili K, O’Briant AL (2007). Risk comparison among youth who report sex with same-sex versus both-sex partners, Youth & Society, 38(3), 267-284. http://yas.sagepub.com/content/38/3/267.abstract

Weitzman, G. (2006). Therapy with clients who are bisexual and polyamorous, Journal of Bisexuality, 6, 137-264. http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a902686849~frm=abslink

Released in February 2012, The Bisexuality Report collates existing research on bisexuality. It aims to inform and improve practice and policy regarding people who are bisexual by highlighting specific concerns and experiences of this population. Topics include: bisexual experiences and communities, biphobia, bisexuality and health, and recommendations on how to be more bi-inclusive.

Download The Bisexuality Report (pdf, 3620 KB).

We’ll also have bi-pride coloured ribbons and badges with fun bisexual slogans for sale.

WHERE: In the park on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Lakeside Drive, St Kilda. Every group has a sign, in order around the park, so look for “15 – Bi Alliance”

WHEN: Meet from midday onward and share a picnic on the grass, then march at 2pm

WEAR: We don’t have a real “uniform”, but we usually wear purple, with pink and blue mixed in. Wear whatever makes you feel happy and comfortable, though!

BRING: Sun protection is a must (sunscreen, hat, parasol, etc.), and optionally something to share at the picnic (but please don’t feel obliged!) Also, it looks like there may be some rain, so an umbrella wouldn’t go astray!
Remember we’ll be picking up everything and marching, so resist the temptation to bring anything big and bulky, like folding chairs or sun sails, unless they are _very_ portable.

If you have any questions, please ask.

If you want to come but are a bit freaked out, feel free to call me on 0407 823 025 for reassurance.

This is a once a year chance to show the rest of the GLBTIQ community
that bisexuals exist so wear your bi colours with pride and hold your
signs high but most importantly we need you there.

The first 10 people to email the Vice President (veep@bi-alliance.org)
to confirm they will be coming will receive 2 free movie tickets to see
the just released “Weekend” at Cinema Nova in Carlton. Financial
members who can’t make it to the march can claim a ticket by emailing
as well.

Not a member? Your $15 will help us do stuff for Victoria’s Bi and allied
community and pay the basic bills. Join now and you could get some
tickets as well. Email the Treasurer (trezh@bi-alliance.org) for more
details.

Tickets can be collected from the Bi-Alliance Vice President (Rebecca
Dominguez), from her office near Flinders Street Station.

“Bisexual clients (Page, 2007) and lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB)-affirmative therapists (Godfrey, Haddock, Fisher, & Lund, 2006) agree that facilitating a positive identity is one of the most important therapeutic tasks. However, the task of achieving a positive identity may be particularly challenging for bisexual-identified individuals (Rust, 2002). To assist in this effort, the authors conducted an online survey that asked bisexual-identified individuals to respond to an open-ended question about the positive aspects of bisexual identity. Findings from an international sample of 157 adult participants (age 18–69; 67% female; 25% Canadian; 19% British; 51% American; 5% other) revealed 11 positive identity aspects: freedom from social labels, honesty and authenticity, having a unique perspective, increased levels of insight and awareness, freedom to love without regard for sex/gender, freedom to explore relationships, freedom of sexual expression, acceptance of diversity, belonging to a community, understanding privilege and oppression and becoming an advocate/activist. Each of these positive aspects is illustrated with quotes from participants. The authors offer suggestions for incorporating these findings in bisexual-affirmative counselling and therapy.”