The Bisexual Awareness Week, also known as #BiWeek, is an annual celebration held in September, from the 16th through the 23rd. The celebration promotes cultural acceptance of the of the bi+ (bisexual, pansexual, fluid, no label, queer, etc.) community.
Bisexual Awareness Week was co-founded by GLAAD and BiNet USA to educate people on obstacles faced by the bisexual+ community, as well as to set policies that ensure bisexual acceptance and social integration. A 2013 Pew Research Center survey observed that bisexuals represent approximately 40% of the LGBTQ community. Bisexual Awareness Week is a platform to recognise bisexual and LGBTQ advocacy throughout history. 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. Both allies and bisexual+ individuals are encouraged to spend the week learning about the “history, culture, community, and current policy priorities of bi+ communities”.
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.
When in monogamous relationships, bisexual people are often assumed to be gay, lesbian, or heterosexual based on the gender of their partner. When bisexual people are open about their sexuality, they face increased levels of violence from intimate partners, rejection by community, family, and peers and skepticism from the people and organizations whom they turn to for help, resources, and services.
Bisexual people experience biphobia from both inside the LGBTQ+ community and from their communities as a whole, which means they are less likely to come out than their gay or lesbian counterparts.The day is celebrated every year with teach-ins, poetry readings, parties, picnics, festivals, and awareness events.
