Bisexuality Day

Bi Visibility Day, also known as International Celebrate Bisexuality Day, is an annual observance that aims to raise awareness about bisexuality and promote greater understanding and acceptance of the bi+ community. It seeks to highlight the unique challenges and experiences faced by bisexual individuals, who often encounter invisibility and erasure within both the heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities. Celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of bisexual individuals to society, the observance encourages people of all sexual orientations to engage in conversations about bisexuality, challenge stereotypes, and support the well-being of the bi+ community.

The first Bi Visibility Day was held in 1999, initiated by three American bisexual activists to address the lack of representation of bisexual individuals in the mainstream LGBTQ+ rights movement. In Canada, this observance is essential because bisexual individuals continue to face unique challenges compared to their heterosexual and homosexual counterparts. They experience higher rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and intimate partner violence, often due to biphobia and misconceptions about bisexuality. By raising awareness about these challenges and providing resources tailored to the Canadian bi+ community, Bi Visibility Day aims to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for the diverse population of bisexual Canadians.

In Canada, Bi Visibility Day is widely observed through various events and initiatives, including educational workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, and social gatherings. These activities aim to bring together members of the bi+ community, allies, and the wider Canadian public to celebrate bisexual identities, increase visibility, and promote understanding. Canadians observe Bi Visibility Day on September 23rd, following the international schedule, as a day to recognize, celebrate, and support the diverse experiences and contributions of the bi+ community across the country.