Highlighting Bi+ Visibility: A Glimpse into the Spectrum at the University of Edinburgh

Bi+ Visibility Day, celebrated annually on September 23, serves as a cornerstone for acknowledging and honouring the diverse identities encompassed within the Bi+ umbrella*, which includes bisexual, biromantic, and other non-monosexual identities. It’s a day dedicated to fostering understanding, dispelling misconceptions, and encouraging discourse around bisexuality within and beyond LGBT+ spaces.

At the University of Edinburgh, the Staff Pride Network (SPN) has participated in Bi+ Visibility Day to underline the significance of this day. In 2020, SPN organized an online event where members, along with the Pridesoc student network, engaged in dialogues to delve into the diverse experiences of Bi+ individuals, with a particular focus on inclusivity for BAME/PoC Bi+ people and Bi+ people with disabilities​1​​2.

In 2021, a panel discussion co-hosted by SPN and PrideSoc delved into the evolution of Bi+ visibility through digital platforms, emphasizing the potential of online spaces in promoting Bi+ visibility and community engagement​3.

The engagement in Bi+ Visibility Day events not only provides a platform for discussions and learning but also reflects a step towards fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding within the academic environment. Through such events, the discourse on inclusivity, acceptance, and the challenges faced by the Bi+ community is propelled, aiding in crafting a more informed and supportive environment for all.

Below: SPN volunteers telling people about Bi+ Visibility Day and the intersectional inclusion work going on at UoE by the Staff Pride Network at Door Open Day Edinburgh at the Playfair Library. Thanks to Rachel, Regina, Julie, Michelle and Jonathan for hosting. #BiVisibilityDay #DoorsOpenDay

Doors open day sign

Edinburgh Neuroscience posing with the Staff Pride Network at Doors open day

Telling people about Bi+ Visibility Day and the intersectional inclusion work going on at UoE by the Staff Pride Network today & tomorrow at @DODEdinburgh at the Playfair Library. Thanks to Rachel, Regina, Julie, Michelle and Jonathan for hosting. #BiVisibilityDay #DoorsOpenDay

Telling people about Bi+ Visibility Day and the intersectional inclusion work going on at UoE by the Staff Pride Network today & tomorrow at @DODEdinburgh at the Playfair Library. Thanks to Rachel, Regina, Julie, Michelle and Jonathan for hosting. #BiVisibilityDay #DoorsOpenDay
  1. Bi Visibility Day 2020: Solidarity Across The Distance – Staff Pride Network
  2. Bi+ Visibility Day 2021 Becoming Visible in a Digital World
  3. Bi Visibility Day 2020: Solidarity Across The Distance

 

*The term ‘Bi+’ in this context relates to an umbrella definition of bisexuality that includes people who are attracted to more than one gender, and may self-identify as bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, bi-romantic, questioning or bi-curious, to name but a few identities. We recognise that identities are unique and sometimes cannot be easily defined with labels. The Bi+ community is inclusive of trans and non-binary people.​