Bisexual Visibility Month: Celebrate, Educate, and Break Stereotypes

Every September, the LGBTQ+ community and allies celebrate Bisexual Visibility Month—a dedicated time to honor bisexual, pansexual, fluid, and other non-monosexual identities. This month-long observance uplifts bisexual voices, educates the public, and challenges the stereotypes and stigma that too often leave bisexual people feeling invisible.

While Pride Month in June shines a bright rainbow spotlight, September gives us the chance to focus on the “B” in LGBTQIA+ and make sure bisexual+ people are seen, heard, and celebrated.

---

Why Bisexual Visibility Month Matters

Bisexual people make up the largest share of the LGBTQ+ community—surveys show that over half of LGBTQ-identifying adults in the U.S. identify as bisexual. Despite this, bisexuality is frequently erased in both mainstream media and within queer spaces.

This lack of representation, often called bi erasure or bi invisibility, shows up when:

• Media portrays characters as either gay or straight, rarely bisexual.
• People assume someone is “actually gay” if they date the same gender, or “actually straight” if they date a different gender.
• Bisexuality is dismissed as “just a phase” or a sign of confusion.

These stereotypes are not just frustrating—they can be harmful, increasing feelings of isolation and leading to higher rates of mental health challenges. Bisexual Visibility Month sends a clear message: bisexuality is real, valid, and worthy of pride.

---

A Brief History of Bisexual Visibility Month

September 23 marks Celebrate Bisexuality Day (also known as Bi Visibility Day), first recognized in 1999 by activists Wendy Curry, Michael Page, and Gigi Raven Wilbur. Their goal was to create a day specifically for bisexual people to be seen and celebrated.

Since then, Celebrate Bisexuality Day has grown into Bisexual Awareness Week (or BiWeek)—observed from September 16–23—and expanded into Bisexual Visibility Month, giving the bisexual+ community a longer opportunity to be heard and supported worldwide.

---

Busting Common Bisexual Stereotypes

Let’s set the record straight—or bi 😉—on some of the most common myths:

• Myth #1: Bisexual people are confused.
  Fact: Bisexuality is a valid orientation, not indecision. Attraction to more than one gender is not confusion—it’s simply who someone is.
• Myth #2: Bisexual people can’t be faithful.
  Fact: Being bisexual doesn’t mean being attracted to everyone. Bisexual people can have healthy monogamous or polyamorous relationships, just like anyone else.
• Myth #3: Bisexuality is just a phase.
  Fact: For many, bisexuality is a lifelong identity—not a stepping stone to being “fully gay” or “fully straight.”

By challenging these myths, we make space for bisexual people to feel respected and validated.

---

The Impact of Bi Invisibility

The lack of bisexual representation has real-life consequences:

• Mental Health: Bisexual people report higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to their gay and lesbian peers, often due to feeling unseen or misunderstood.
• Healthcare: Many bisexual individuals hesitate to disclose their orientation to doctors, leading to gaps in sexual and mental health care.
• Media Representation: When bisexual characters do appear, they are often hypersexualized, villainized, or erased entirely.

Visibility isn’t just symbolic—it saves lives by reducing stigma and building a stronger sense of community.

---

How to Celebrate Bisexual Visibility Month

Here are a few ways to get involved and show your support during September:

• Learn and Share: Read about bisexual history, leaders, and activists. Share educational resources with your network.
• Join the Online Conversation: Use hashtags like #BiVisibilityMonth, #BiWeek, and #CelebrateBisexualityDay to help raise awareness.
• Support Bi+ Creators: Read books by bisexual authors, support bisexual artists and content creators, or donate to bisexual-focused nonprofits.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Speak up when you hear myths or dismissive jokes about bisexuality.
• Affirm the Bi+ People in Your Life: Sometimes a simple “I see you and support you” can make all the difference.

---

Building a Future of Visibility

Bisexual Visibility Month is about more than just awareness—it’s about building a world where bisexual people can live openly, joyfully, and without fear of judgment.

This September, don’t just acknowledge bisexuality—celebrate it. Visibility saves lives, representation heals hearts, and solidarity creates lasting change.

In Solidarity,
– Ryder