It’s the 20th annual Bi Visibility Day this September 23rd.

The date highlights bisexuality and the challenges posed by biphobia and bisexual erasure, as well as celebrating the work of a growing number of local, national and international organisations around the world which champion bisexual visibility and equality.

Last year there were more than 130 events across the globe marking the date, from exhibitions, talks and film screenings to picnics and socials in bi-friendly bars. A host of public buildings around the world flew the pink, purple and blue bisexual flag.

Jen Yockney MBE, who has run the international listings site BiVisibilityDay.com for nearly two decades, commented, “We saw events in at least 35 countries around the world in 2017 – a new record.

“I’ve been organising events marking Bi Visibility Day since 1999 and the transformation in that time is huge. We are more talked about and more heard as bi people than ever before; yet also the challenges and particular needs of bisexuals have been thrown into sharper relief over that time.

“Back then, bi was often seen as a kind of ‘gay lite’ with bis experiencing less impact from social homophobia, but research increasingly shows bi people have greater mental and physical health challenges than gay or straight people. We’re more likely to experience domestic violence from our partners, too.

“Far from the ‘best of both worlds’ cliché, the challenge of either persistently reasserting your bisexuality or having part of your life erased proves wearing for many bi people. Where lesbians and gay men have one closet to escape, many bi people find that leaving the one closet leads to being put in another.

“Greater bisexual visibility is the best solution to that problem, helping more bis find a space where they are neither in the ‘straight closet’ nor the gay one.”

Bi Visibility Day also marks the start of #BiWeek – Bisexual Awareness Week, which runs until 30 September.

Accross the country a number of events are being held throughout the week to celebrate Bi Visibility Day and #BiWeek 2018.

Septemeber 20

• Cork. Bi Visibility Boardgames. 18:00, Tabletop Cork, 9 Castle Street. Facebook event here.
• Galway. Visibili-Tea meet-up. Come & celebrate with some tea, treats and chats! 20:00, The Secret Garden, 4 William Street West. Facebook event here.

September 23

• Dublin. Bi+ Ireland organises a Bi+ Vis Variety Show with singing, burlesque, drag and lots more! 19:00, The Generator Hostel, Smithfield Square. Facebook event here.

September 24

• Belfast. Visibili-Tea meet-up. They have some speakers organised who will chat about their experiences in the local community and further afield. 19:00, Belfast Trans Resource Centre, 98 University Street. Facebook event here.

More information about Bi Visibility Day including events listings can be found here: www.bivisibilityday.com