Since 1999, September 23 has been recognized as Bi Visibility Day which highlights the history and achievements of the bisexual community as well as the challenges of biphobia and bisexual erasure.
According to the Williams Institute, studies indicate that approximately 50 percent of people who identify as either gay, lesbian or bisexual, identify as bisexual, making the bisexual population the single largest group within the LGBTQ community.
But bisexual people are often excluded from LGBTQ spaces and are invisible to each other which can make the journey of living authentically incredibly daunting.
Several Democratic presidential candidates took to social media throughout the day to affirm the bisexual community and acknowledge some of the challenges they face.
Check out the messages from former Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro and businessman Tom Steyer.
Amy, you have nothing to be ashamed of and every reason to be proud. Living open and free is a daily act of bravery — bravery that resides in your heart and in the hearts of LGBTQ people around the world. I’m proud to have you on our team. #BiVisibilityDay https://t.co/mv5vyQIkAp
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 24, 2019
It takes courage to be visible, especially as our country grapples with a crisis of belonging that disproportionately affects the LGBTQ+ community. I want everyone celebrating #BiVisibilityDay to know that we see you, we are with you, and you belong.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) September 24, 2019
On #BiVisibilityDay—and every day—we recommit to securing equal rights for every LGBTQ+ American until they can live openly and proudly. Everyone deserves to live without fear or discrimination. https://t.co/ZfPA9ajr1Z
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 23, 2019
Today we recognize #BiVisibilityDay, and the work that still needs to be done to end the erasure. You are valid and we will leave no one to fight alone.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 23, 2019
Bisexuals are the single largest group within the LGBTQ community, but they are frequently erased.
We need to make sure that bisexual voices are heard and bisexual folks are supported and protected.#BiVisibilityDay pic.twitter.com/wMpq7D8HFk
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) September 23, 2019
You can still be fired, denied a home, barred from adopting a child in America because of who you love. On #BiVisibilityDay, we must not only fight to pass The Equality Act, but to ensure equal treatment for every single person in our country.
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 23, 2019
Happy #BiVisibilityDay! We must fight for a world not just free from fear and violence but a world where everyone can be themselves in all facets of their lives.
— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) September 23, 2019
Interestingly, Sen. Bernie Sanders and entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who both skipped the GLAAD-sponsored LGBTQ Forum in Iowa last week due to ‘scheduling conflicts,’ did not seem to acknowledge Bi-Visibility Day in their social media.
More ‘scheduling conflicts?’
For more information about bisexuality, visit the Human Rights Campaign’s website here.
