GLBTIQ Student Programs celebrated Bi Visibility Day early on Thursday, Sept. 22, and hosted “Stand Bi Me” on The Green.
“Instead of focusing on the discrimination and the things that bi people deal with, how about we celebrate for the day?” said program coordinator of GLBTIQ Student Programs Neja Coleman. “We take a spot on The Green, take up space and create more visibility for people who are bi and non-monosexual and just have a good time.”
Bi Visibility Day is actually Sept. 23 and has been celebrated worldwide since 1999. The organizers of “Stand Bi Me” invited people of all sexualities to come and show their support for bisexual students.
“The bi community deals with a lot of biphobia within and outside of the LGBTIQ community, so I thought that it would be a really cool opportunity,” Coleman said. “Last year we brought Robin Oaks, who is a really awesome bi-activist, to come and talk about some of the different ways we perpetuate these bias and these stereotypes against people who are bisexual.”
Students at the event tie-dyed shirts and enjoyed cotton candy and music. At a “Stand Bi Me” photo booth, volunteers took pictures of participants to share online and “increase digital visibility of bisexuality,” according to Coleman.
Those in attendance expressed appreciation for the purpose of the celebration.
“I think it is an awesome event,” said freshman Tori Anderson. “I am bi, so it kind of helps, and I like that it’s just bringing an awareness to it. That there are people that like both genders, it isn’t just one. Also it was really fun to get messy with tie-dye.”
Future events hosted by GLBTIQ Student Programs can be found on its page on Owl Life, as well as its Facebook page.
