Bisexual Awareness Week: 4 Ways to Celebrate #BiWeek 2021

Bisexuality is as old as humanity itself. But it wasn’t until the 90s that we took steps to raise awareness about this issue, especially among the larger part of the gay community.More than half of the LGBTQ+ population (identifies as bisexual.) International Bisexuality Celebration Day was launched in 1999 when a trio of American bi activists—Wendy Curry, Gigi Raven Wilbur, and Michael Page—teamed up to raise awareness about bisexual issues.

At the time, they had begun to pave the way for gay rights, but the bisexual community remained largely stigmatized by both straight and gay people. GLAAD and BiNet USA have since joined forces to expand the event into Bisexual Awareness Week, which takes place every year from September 16 to 23 to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for the bi+ community (which includes bisexual, pansexual, gender-fluid, gender-nonconforming, and queer people).

Whether you’re asking questions quietly, being proud and loud, or just here to support your brilliant bisexual friends, here are a few things to keep in mind as you celebrate your bisexual pride this year:

1. Debunking the myths

We have made progress and that is worth celebrating! But there is still a long way to go. Bisexuality is still surrounded by many myths and stigmas that prevent our bisexual brothers and sisters from living their authentic lives.

Bisexuals are still stereotyped as indecisive, greedy, and more likely to cheat. They are assumed to be just experimenting, “trying it out like they did in school,” or demonized for not “choosing sides.” They are forced to “prove” their bisexuality based on a transcript of their sexual experiences. They are told that they are not queer enough if they have not had sex with enough different people. Or that the gender of their partner determines whether they are straight or gay.

What bisexuality is not:

– A phase

– Indecision

– A fold

– Transphobic

– An excuse to cheat

– A reason to be wary of a potential partner

– Determined by who your partner is

– Determined by past sexual experiences

What is bisexuality:

– The ability to be emotionally, romantically and/or physically attracted to more than one gender

– May or may not manifest in terms of sexual interaction

– Something some people have always known while others discover it later in life; everyone’s story is their own

– Regardless of your appearance, a bisexual person who identifies as such

– Valid

2. Let the flag teach you one of the most important things about bisexuality

The most recognizable symbol of bisexual pride is the bisexual flag. The pink, purple, and blue stripes of the flag convey an important message. Pink represents same-sex attraction, and blue represents heterosexual attraction. But it is the purple that we need to pay the most attention to. It symbolizes attraction to all genders.

A common misconception is that bisexuality means being attracted to two genders: (cis) men and women. In fact, bisexuality is officially described as the ability to be attracted to more than one gender.

We’ve seen some internal wrangling over this. But the implication that bisexuality excludes trans people is a gross misinterpretation. Bisexuality has always included non-binary and trans people.

3. Embrace memes

As a bisexual millennial, the meme culture that has grown out of our attempts to find and cultivate community has been an integral and important part of my queer experience. And I know I’m not alone. Through memes, I’ve made friends, honed my dating skills, and met my girlfriend in ways that have proven difficult, if not impossible, in real life.

A meme takes something harmless and turns it into something relevant that we can rally around. In some cases, it helps reaffirm our place in a community. When the all too common experience of queer people, and especially bisexual people, is feeling invisible and hidden, the power of feeling seen and understood is significant.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of my favorite memes and stereotypes that bisexuals have claimed as a community:

– Excessive use of hand gestures, including gun fingers, peace signs, and the OK sign

– You roll up your jeans

– Flannel, leather jackets and/or hoodies are a must-have for your aesthetic

– Not having to change pronouns when singing love songs

– You are a master of wordplay.

– You sit badly on the chairs

– You’re bad at math.

– You are attracted to women, non-binary people, and boys who look like they just came out of the grave and maybe don’t have a pulse…

– You have an inexplicable love for frogs

– And frogs with little hats

– You’re just a huge frog simp, ok

– You have made holes in your long sleeve shirts/sweaters to put your thumbs through

– You don’t know how to drive (or you drive very well, but in a way that terrifies your passengers)

– You tuck the front of your loose shirt into your jeans (aka the French Tuck)

– You were passionate about Greek mythology when you were a child.

– You like lemon bars

While stereotypes can be limiting and even dangerous, there is undeniable power in being able to claim your identity, fit in with the community, laugh at yourself, and maybe even make friends and lovers along the way.

4. (Re-)Watch The Mummy

Perhaps the most important aspect of bisexual culture and history is how one becomes bisexual.

Everyone knows that we’re not born bisexual, but that we watched the 1999 masterpiece “The Mummy” starring everyone’s favorite himbo Brendan Fraser and the eternally gorgeous Rachel Weisz (along with a whole host of other girls) and became bisexual.

I also refuse to believe that it’s just a coincidence that the first Bi Pride Day happened within four months of this film’s theatrical release. So please. Take the time this week to revisit this crack team as they thwart ancient curses in the desert, to honor our collective queer origin story.

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All kidding aside, bisexuality comes in many shapes and sizes. Your bisexual experience, no matter what it looks like, how it feels, how it has played out and continues to evolve for you, is valid. If you’re bisexual, you are 100% bisexual. Period. And anyone who tries to tell you otherwise can’t sit with us.

Happy Bi Pride!