Why Is Bisexuality Day Important?

Celebrated every September 23, Bisexuality Day is a special day to reflect on the needs and issues of the bisexual community. But what makes bisexuality different from every other letter of the LGBTQ2S+ spectrum, and why should this day be celebrated?

Read on to find out more about the meaning of Bisexuality Day to the community, and how to celebrate it in a respectful, inclusive way!

What Is Bisexuality?

Traditionally “bisexual” is described as being attracted to both men and women, whether it’s romantically or sexually. Activist Robin Ochs gives a less gender-binary definition of bisexuality as “the potential to be attracted – romantically and/or sexually – to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.”

This often has an overlap with pansexuality, which is the attraction to people regardless of gender identity and sexuality. Bisexuality and pansexuality are not mutually exclusive, and many people may identify as both in the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Why Celebrate Bisexuality Day?

Bisexuality Day is a day to uplift the bisexual community, and to bring the spotlight to the issues it faces. Bisexuals often face discrimination from straight people as well as other members of the LGBTQ+ community due to harmful stereotypes.

Bisexual people are often perceived as “promiscuous”, with the belief that bisexuals identify as bi because they want to have more partners. Other people believe that bisexuals are just closeted gay people, and that they remain bisexual because they are afraid to come out. On the other hand, some think that bisexual people are just experimenting and will go back to being straight in the end.

Bisexuality Day is a day to challenge and debunk those negative stereotypes by raising awareness about what it means to be bisexual. On September 23, you can celebrate respectfully by holding group discussions, having one-on-one focus meetings, or even simply correcting someone’s negative beliefs of bisexuality.

Bisexuality Day is a special event that brings attention to the bisexual community’s challenges and needs. It’s a celebration of bisexual identity and breaking stigmas.