Bisexual Awareness Week
A flag with a pink stripe on top, a purple stripe in the middle, and a blue stripe on the bottom. The pink and blue stripes are both equal length but the purple stripe is thinner than the other stripes.
Official nameBisexual Awareness Week, Bisexual+ Awareness Week, #BiWeek
Observed byBisexual people along with their families, friends, allies and supporters
TypeCultural
DateSeptember 16–23[1]
Duration8 days
FrequencyAnnual
Related toCelebrate Bisexuality Day, LGBT Pride

Bisexual Awareness Week, also known as Bisexual+ Awareness Week[2] and #BiWeek, is an annual celebration held from September 16–23.[1] It is an extension of Celebrate Bisexuality Day, held annually on September 23.[3] The celebration promotes cultural acceptance of the bisexual community, as well as attempts to create a platform for advocating bisexual rights.[3][4]

According to a 2013 Pew Research Center survey, bisexuals represent approximately 40% of the LGBTQ community.[5] Bisexual Awareness Week is a platform to recognise bisexual and LGBTQ advocacy throughout history.[6]

History

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Bisexual Awareness Week was co-founded by GLAAD and BiNet USA in 2014 to educate people on obstacles faced by the bisexual community, as well as to set policies that ensure bisexual acceptance and social integration.[7][8]

Goals and activities

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According to co-founding organization GLAAD, the goals of Bisexual+ Awareness Week include accelerating acceptance of the bisexual+ community, drawing attention to the experiences of this community, and celebrating the resiliency of the community.[9] Both allies and bisexual+ individuals are encouraged to spend the week learning about the "history, culture, community, and current policy priorities of bi+ communities".[9] Bisexual+ Awareness Week can also potentially be an important opportunity for bisexual+ individuals to help fight feelings of isolation, create more visibility for others who may be exploring their sexuality, meet other bisexual+ people, and become an integral member of the bisexual+ community by coming out or sharing their personal experiences.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "#BiWeek 2019: Celebrate Bisexuality+". GLAAD. 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Bi Brigade presents: Bisexual Awareness Week! – Proud Queer (PQ Monthly – Daily Online)". PQ Monthly. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.; "Second annual Bisexual Awareness Week to held Sept. 20 – 26; events across U.S. and online". LGBT Weekly. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Bisexual Awareness Week". Bicast. Archived from the original on September 18, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  4. ^ "#BiWeek 2016: Celebrate Bisexuality". GLAAD. 2016-09-01. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  5. ^ "A Survey of LGBT Americans". Pew Research Center. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  6. ^ "It's Bisexual Awareness Week! Here Are Five Ways To Celebrate". Autostraddle. 2014-09-23. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  7. ^ Metzger, Logan (September 22, 2019). "Bisexual+ Awareness Week celebrates invisible community". Iowa State Daily. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  8. ^ "Why Bisexual Awareness Week Matters". 2016-09-23. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  9. ^ a b "#BiWeek 2017: Celebrate Bisexuality+". GLAAD. September 11, 2017. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  10. ^ Zane, Zachary. "The 'B' in LGBT: Why Bisexual Awareness Week Matters". OUT Magazine. Here Publishing, Inc. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.