This week is Bisexual Awareness Week (#biweek) which works to accelerate the cultural acceptance of bisexual people.
Sept. 23 is Celebrate Bisexuality Day (CBD), an international awareness day that is also referred to as Bi Visibility Day and Bisexual Pride Day. Three bisexual advocates–Wendy Curry, Michael Page and Gigi Raven Wilbur–conceived of the event as a way to combat bisexual invisibility. CDB, which began in 1999, is celebrated with events around the world celebrating bisexual culture, community and history. In 2013, the White House held its first bisexual community issues round table on Celebrate Bisexuality Day.
The National LGBTQ Task Force is marking Bisexual Awareness Week 2015 by urging everyone to educate themselves more about the realities of bisexual people’s lives.
“Much more public education is still needed as misconceptions and stereotypes about bisexual people have serious consequences. For instance, research shows that compared to heterosexual women and gay men, bisexual women experience higher rates of sexual assault, smoking, and suicide,” said Stacey Long Simmons, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, National LGBTQ Task Force who identifies as bisexual.
“Bisexual people are some of the most maligned and misunderstood members of our LGBTQ community. From assuming that we ‘don’t exist’ — even though statistically we comprise the largest group in our community — to the hyper-sexualizing of bisexual people; from saying we are “confused” to suggesting that we can be “turned” gay or lesbian or straight. This week we urge everyone in the LGBTQ community and the general public to educate themselves more about the issues affecting bisexual people. We exist in abundance and we deserve more attention to the reality of our lives.”
Designed by Michael Page, the bisexual pride flag is comprised of three stripes: one pink, one blue, and a purple middle strip. The stripe colors and widths, from top to bottom, are pink (40%), purple (20%), and blue (40%). It is not patented, trademarked, or service marked.
