Every September, right in the heart of Bisexual Awareness Month, the world takes an extra week to celebrate, uplift, and amplify bisexual voices. Bisexual Awareness Week—often called Bi+ Week—runs from September 16th to 23rd, and it’s a time to highlight the stories, struggles, and triumphs of bisexual, pansexual, fluid, and other non-monosexual people.
This week is about visibility. It’s about countering stereotypes that try to paint bisexuality as “confused” or “nonexistent.” And it’s about making sure bisexual people see themselves represented in history, culture, and community. Let’s dive into why this week matters, how it began, and what we can all do to celebrate.
The Origins of Bi+ Week
While Celebrate Bisexuality Day (Sept 23) began in 1999 as a grassroots event, activists soon realized a single day wasn’t enough. Bisexual+ people needed more time, more space, and more visibility to counter decades of erasure.
Thus, Bisexual Awareness Week was born. By expanding the celebration from one day to an entire week, organizers created space for conversations, events, and educational campaigns that honor bisexual identity. Today, Bi+ Week is recognized globally and supported by LGBTQ+ organizations, community centers, and online creators who use this time to amplify bisexual voices and challenge damaging myths.
Why Bisexual Awareness Week Is So Important
Though bisexual people make up more than half of the LGBTQ+ population, their experiences are often overlooked in both straight and queer spaces. That invisibility—known as bi erasure—feeds harmful stereotypes, such as:
- Bisexuality is just a “phase.”
- Bisexual people are “confused” or “indecisive.”
- Bisexuality is just “gay in denial.”
- Bisexual people are inherently more likely to cheat.
These myths not only undermine bisexual identities, but also contribute to higher rates of mental health struggles among bisexual people compared to their gay, lesbian, and straight peers. Feeling unseen or invalidated can fuel anxiety, depression, and isolation.
Bi+ Week is our chance to push back. It’s about visibility, validation, and giving bisexual people the space to thrive.
Busting Stereotypes Wide Open
Let’s sprinkle a little truth glitter on those myths, shall we? 💅✨
- Bisexuality is not a phase. For some people, sexuality may evolve over time, but for many, bisexuality is a lifelong and deeply authentic identity.
- Bisexuality is not confusion. Being attracted to more than one gender is not about indecision—it’s about inclusion. Bisexual people know exactly who they are.
- Bisexual people can and do commit. Just like anyone else, bisexual people are capable of long-term, healthy, faithful relationships.
When we dismantle these stereotypes, we create a culture where bisexual people don’t have to defend their existence—they can simply live it.
Bi+ Representation: Why It Matters
Representation is more than just seeing yourself on screen—it’s about feeling valid in the wider world. And for bisexual people, representation has often been a mixed bag.
For decades, bisexual characters were either hypersexualized, used as villains, or erased altogether. If a character dated multiple genders, writers often forced them into a single box by the end—gay or straight—ignoring their bisexuality entirely.
Thankfully, change is happening. We’re seeing more openly bisexual characters in shows, films, and books. And we’re seeing bisexual celebrities—like Halsey, Alan Cumming, and Sara Ramirez—proudly embracing their identities. Visibility like this can be life-saving for young bisexual people searching for role models.
How to Celebrate Bisexual Awareness Week
If you want to honor Bi+ Week, there are plenty of ways to do it—whether you’re bisexual yourself, part of the LGBTQ+ family, or an ally.
- Educate Yourself and Share What You Learn
Read up on bisexual history and share it with your community. Bisexual activists have been part of every major LGBTQ+ movement, but their contributions are often erased. - Amplify Bisexual Voices
Use your platform—big or small—to uplift bisexual creators, activists, and storytellers. Share their work, quote their words, and support their projects. - Host or Attend an Event
From online panels to local pride events, Bi+ Week is full of opportunities to connect. Many LGBTQ+ centers host discussions, film screenings, or social gatherings. - Challenge Biphobia
Speak up when you hear dismissive jokes or harmful myths. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but standing up for bisexual inclusion makes a difference. - Celebrate the Bisexual People in Your Life
A simple “I see you, and I’m proud of you” can mean the world. Validation is one of the most powerful gifts you can give.
Why Bi+ Week Belongs to All of Us
Bi+ Week isn’t just for bisexual people—it’s for everyone who believes in building a more inclusive world. When bisexual people are visible, all of us benefit.
Celebrating bisexuality strengthens the LGBTQ+ community by affirming every letter in the acronym. It shows allies what true solidarity looks like. And it reminds us that love, attraction, and identity don’t have to fit into rigid boxes.
This week is a celebration of fluidity, authenticity, and resilience. And it’s an invitation for all of us—queer or not—to recognize the power of visibility.
In Solidarity, Always
– Ryder
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