Bi The Way

Today is a very special day in the bisexual calendar. The 23rd of September is the day we celebrate Bisexual Pride. The day is an opportunity for bisexual people, their friends and supporters to celebrate bisexuality. A number of events are being held across the UK, Europe and the US to mark the occasion.

Bisexual Pride Day, or Celebrate Bisexuality Day as its officially known, is the brainchild of three bi-rights activists from the United States, Wendy Curry, Michael Page and Gigi Raven and was first celebrated in 1999, regular annual events have been held since.

The idea of a bisexual pride event which is separate from the mainstream LGBT events was really a response to the perceived marginalisation of bisexual people by elements of both the straight and gay community. This is understandable when you consider that no bisexual has ever been able to come out without someone suggesting, its just a phase and we’ll “straighten out” or a transition on the way to accepting “true homosexuality”. So as part of the main LBGT pride events, particularly marches, a fleeting waive of purple amongst all the pink really can look like a passing phase.

So bisexuality now has its own date on the Calendar, a day when it can stand up and be counted on its own and gain recognition as a separate identity to being straight or gay. But its not all about protest, its about fun, a time for the bisexual community to come together and celebrate bisexual history, culture and to hang out with some really cool people.

In truth most of the events were celebrated over the weekend, but there is still one event being held today in Manchester (UK). Unfortunately due to work commitments I’ve not been able to make any of the events myself, but I’ve put on my rather faded purple t-shirt so show some solidarity.

Anyway, happy Bisexual Pride Day.

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