Marked each year since 1999, September 23rd marks Bi+ Visibility Day – a day to raise awareness and challenge systemic and harmful bisexual & biromantic inequities.

The Bi+ community (umbrella term for people who recognize and honor their potential for sexual and emotional attraction to more than one gender and includes bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, fluid, queer, asexual, and other identifiers) is frequently referred to as the “forgotten” demographic of the LGBTQ+ community and face several negative stereotypes and biases.

Why should the workplace care? 

It is important to recognize and celebrate Bi+ Awareness Week and Visibility Day for a variety of reasons.

  1. Recognition helps build awareness and tackle biphobia (the fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender).

    It is an opportunity to combat biphobia by learning more about the community and celebrating their existence. 

    Many people may be confused about what bisexuality and/or Bi+ is, but the day is an opportunity to raise awareness and share knowledge.

  2. It gives visibility to the Bi+ community

    The Bi+ community is frequently forgotten and/or overlooked and feels invisible or excluded from the larger LGBTQ+ community. This day provides visibility to the Bi+ community, raises Bi+ awareness and allows them to be recognized and celebrate who they are with others.

  3. Opportunity for people to learn about bisexuality and Bi+ communities

    Some people may be unaware of what it means to be bisexual or Bi+. The day provides an opportunity for others to learn about and understand the community in all its breadth.

  4. Call for change and action

    The day is a call for change in the way many members of the Bi+ community are treated and/or historically overlooked and marginalized in our workplaces and society broadly. Some people feel they don’t fit in, are not included, and/or are unwanted and undervalued with any community because they are bisexual or Bi+, which should not be the case. It’s an opportunity for everyone to speak up, share their stories, and work toward building a more inclusive environment of belonging for all.

How to celebrate Bi+ Awareness Week

Out & Equal has created a resource to help fill in the gaps in information around Bi+ identities in the workplace and provides tangible action items for employers and individuals.

Companies

Offer LGBTQ+ educational resources and trainings to employees and management that are inclusive of Bi+ identities. When creating LGBTQ+ safe spaces, like LGBTQ+ ERGs, ensure these spaces are inclusive of Bi+ people and programming and that Bi+ people are afforded leadership roles. Check in on company benefits, policies, and practices to confirm that the company is fully inclusive of Bi+ employees, including those in different-gender relationships. Celebrate Bi+ Awareness within your ERG, on your company’s social media platform, and through programming to elevate Bi+ voices. Support for all is vital, and by discussing allyship and the numerous benefits it provides, you are equipping people with the knowledge to help many communities. The goal is to create cultures of belonging where every employee knows they can bring their authentic self into the workplace, are valued for who they are, and are able to thrive.

Individuals

Create the habit of using inclusive language in your everyday interactions with your colleagues. For example, “Do you have a husband?”, turns into “Do you have a partner?” It’s important to remember that not everyone in a different-gender relationship identities as straight, and not everyone in a same-gender relationship identities as gay or lesbian. Furthermore, remind yourself that an individual’s relationship does not determine their sexual orientation. Continue to educate yourself, advocate for your Bi+ colleagues, and practice active allyship for the Bi+ community. Consider Bi+ history. Bisexual history is an extremely important aspect of the day that should be reflected upon. Consider the history of the Bi+ community and how they got to where they are today. It is critical to look back in time to better consider how to shape a more inclusive future for all.