Bisexual Awareness Week, also referred to as Bi Week, takes place annually between 16–23 September, culminating with Bi Visibility Day. The week draws attention to the issues faced by the bisexual (bi) community, including erasure and visibility.
By both celebrating the bi community, while still acknowledging the difficulties and discrimination that bi people continue to face, it is an important opportunity to learn more about the history, culture, community, and current policy priorities of bi communities.
Bisexual Awareness Week, also referred to as Bi Week, was co-founded and co-led in 2014 by GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and BiNet USA, to draw attention to the issues faced by the bisexual (bi) community, including erasure and visibility.
Bisexual Awareness Week celebrates the resiliency of the bi community, while acknowledging the difficulties and discrimination that bi people continue to face. It is an opportunity for both allies and bi people themselves to learn more about the history, culture, community, and current policy priorities of bi communities.
Bisexual Awareness Week is now marked annually between 16–23 September and culminates on 23 September with Bi Visibility Day.
Bi as an umbrella term used to describe a romantic and / or sexual attraction towards more than one gender. Individuals may use one or more of a wide variety of terms to describe themselves, including, but not limited to, bisexual, pansexual (pan) and queer identities. Bi people may face prejudice and hate and can also experience specific issues, distinct from those experienced by those with other identities within the LGBTQIA+ community:
Examples of biphobia and bi-erasure may include damaging and incorrect assumptions or stereotypes such as:
Bi people can face having their identity erased and being made to feel unwelcome in both straight and LGBTQIA+ spaces.
Celebrating Bisexual Awareness Week and Bi Visibility Day provides a platform for the diverse experiences and voices of the bi community. By discussing bi identities, we can progress the normalisation, acceptance and visibility of bi people. This in turn can foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, where bi people can feel more confident to explore, express and embrace their sexuality.
In the 2021 Census covering England and Wales, a question on sexual orientation was included for the first time. The question was voluntary and was only asked of people aged 16 years and over. People were asked “Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation?” 624,000 (1.3%) of respondents described themselves as bisexual, with 165,000 (0.3%) selecting the option of “Other sexual orientation” and within this, when self-describing, this included pansexual (48,000, 0.10%) and queer (15,000, 0.03%).
People aged 16 to 24 years (436,000, 6.91%) were the age group most likely to have identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or another minority sexual orientation. The largest sexual orientation group within this age group were the 252,000 (4.00%) who identified as bisexual.
Census 2021 data also demonstrates how sexual orientation varied across England and Wales (as the question was voluntary, please be aware of differences in response rates when comparing between different areas). The English region with the highest proportion of people who identified with a LGB+ orientation (“gay or lesbian”, “bisexual”, or “other sexual orientation”) was London (4.3%). In London, 1.5% described their sexual orientation as bisexual.
Research that was conducted by UCAS and Stonewall: The Experience Of LGBT+ Students In Education showed that, of the nearly 600,000 people living in the UK who apply through UCAS every year, between 20,000 and 45,000 choose to declare an LGBT+ identity. The number of individuals feeling able to share information about their LGBT+ identity has increased significantly since the questions were first introduced, with this growth largely driven by an increasing number of bisexual declarations. In 2020, over 20,000 applicants declared their identity as bisexual.
At Queen Mary we want to create an inclusive environment where bi staff and students are celebrated; where everyone can be themselves and be treated with kindness, dignity and respect. We can all contribute towards being more bi inclusive, including those within the LGBTQA+ community. As a first step, believing bi people about their identity is the minimum of allyship.
Amplify and celebrating bi people and their stories is also something we can all do. For LGBTQIA+ History Month we published a number of media recommendations, many of which explore the history and experiences of bi people. Bi Pride UK recently took place and you can watch some of their content online. You can also read and share our Queen Mary booklet on ‘Bi Inclusion and Allyship' [PDF].
Biphobia can take many forms and it can happen verbally, in writing, in person or virtually (eg by email, messages, social media). Whatever form it takes, it is always unacceptable. If you experience or witness biphobia, you can report it (anonymously if you like) and / or access support through the Queen Mary Report + Support tool.
QMSU LGBT+ Society provides a safe space for all members and allies of the LGBTQ community at Queen Mary.
QMSU LGBT+ Society (Whitechapel) is a welcoming and supportive environment for all LGBT+ (and unsure!) medics, dentists, and other students studying at Barts and The London.