Bi+ Visibility Month: Recognizing Diverse Identities and Stories

🌈 Bi+ Visibility Month 🌈

This month, we celebrate and honor the diverse identities that make up the Bi+ community. Many people experience attraction in ways that don’t fit neatly into “gay,” “straight,” or “lesbian.” Recognizing and respecting these experiences is an important part of supporting our clients and community — especially since Bi+ people often face identity erasure through dismissal, invalidation, or denial.

💡 Bi+ Terms

• Aromantic: People who experience little to no romantic attraction. They may build strong, meaningful relationships, but not in a traditional romantic way.

• Asexual: People who experience little to no sexual attraction. Asexuality exists on a spectrum — some may experience attraction rarely, in specific ways, or not at all.

• Polysexual (umbrella term): An identity and umbrella for people who experience attraction to multiple genders. This includes bisexual, pansexual, and omnisexual identities. For some, polysexual specifically means attraction to some genders, but not all.

  • Bisexual: People who experience attraction to two or more genders. This can include attraction to men, women, and nonbinary people.

  • Pansexual: People who can be attracted to others regardless of gender. Gender does not limit their attraction.

  • Omnisexual: People who are attracted to individuals of all genders, while still noticing or acknowledging gender in their attraction.
    

🌈 Unique Experiences & Challenges

• Mental Health Stress: Research shows higher rates of anxiety, depression, and isolation among asexual and polysexual people compared to straight and gay/lesbian groups, often due to invisibility and lack of acceptance.

• Double Stigma & Exclusion: Bi+ folks can face skepticism or rejection from both straight and gay/lesbian communities, making belonging more complex.

• Stereotypes of Confusion: Bi+ people are often told they are “just confused” or “going through a phase.” Asexual and aromantic people may be told they “just haven’t met the right person.”

• Relationship Challenges: Myths of promiscuity or “not being satisfied” can cause mistrust, especially in monogamous relationships.

• Coming Out Complexity: Because Bi+ identities are less understood, coming out often requires extra explanation and ongoing correction of misconceptions.
  

🌟 Strengths & Positive Experiences

Bi+ communities are not only resilient but thriving:

• They often build strong coping skills and flexibility by moving between queer and straight spaces.

• They tend to be deeply empathetic, inclusive, and welcoming across diverse identities.

• Many Bi+ people challenge traditional ideas of relationships, creating fulfilling chosen families and partnerships.

• Community pride and joy shine through in art, activism, and celebration.

• Finding Bi+ community can be profoundly affirming, offering connection and a sense of home.
  

✨ Bi+ people are not just surviving — they are building joy, creativity, and belonging. This month, we honor their resilience, their challenges, and their thriving communities.