Personally I find that sentiment a bit shocking, but then again I feel as though I haven't... well... ever seen let alone been a part of a bisexual "community" and have this past year encountered so much abject prejudice from the most unlikely (and inappropriate) sources. I see so much that needs to be done concerning bisexual advocacy and want very much to be involved in it, but am unsure where to start. So I have tried to educate myself and sort of jump in feet first without any one to guide me. My attempts to connect to the GLBTQ community have largely been met with unsatisfactory results. Perhaps that should be the role of those bi activists/organizers curriedspam referred to... they shouldn't just "go away"... their knowledge and experience is extremely valuable... but rather organizations should focus on outreach to the next generation of bisexual advocates and take a mentoring approach. That said, I have no clue what past or current efforts have been made to that effect so its possible that has already been their focus and I just am
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here is a bit about BiNet USA itself and here is a page detailing some history
offhand (& strangely enough for such a big city) I know individual people but not any particular bi support network in your area - can I suggest you might want to join the BiNet USA e-mail group? someone on there might be able to direct you further
Perhaps that should be the role of those bi activists/organizers curriedspam referred to... they shouldn't just "go away"... their knowledge and experience is extremely valuable... but rather organizations should focus on outreach to the next generation of bisexual advocates and take a mentoring approach
that is EXACTLY what she (and others) are hoping to do but feel stymied and in some ways cut off from what should be the next up and coming generation of Bi/LGBT activists
there seems to be (same as in parts of the women's community) a lot of complacency and an attitude of " oh well I've got mine" without realizing unless everyone keeps pushing things not only won't progress but might slip backwards
thank you - especially because we are being thoroughly jumped on over at postqueer and bipolypagangeek because the word bisexual is now seen by many as reinforcing the binary in gender orientation
it may be hard to hear but at least it is honest and very thought provoking
please remember to also go over to curriedspam and give her your thoughts on how things are going in the bisexual movement and how they could be improved to serve you better
You may want to know that until my life fell apart a month ago, I was bisexual representative to a large LGBT religious advocacy organization, and I was involved with the Bisexual Organizing Project.
Thanks for this post, it was very thought provoking.
I struggle with the 'b-word' for many reasons including that I think it connotates that I'm equally attracted to each sex (not necessarily) and the binary problem... for some people it is not an issue but to me it's important especially because I think I could be attracted to a transgendered/intersexed person.
but in all honestly there is something to be said about the fact that the identification of all people not 100% straight or gay/lesbian with the word "bisexual" comes from a while ago, before the true range of gender or sexuality was known
and as we in the bisexual community are dissapointed when groups we identify with (such as the Lesbian and Gay Task Force) fail to include us, so people who are pansexual et. al. feel the same disapointment at the word bisexual
so both of these feelings are totally understandable
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offhand (& strangely enough for such a big city) I know individual people but not any particular bi support network in your area - can I suggest you might want to join the BiNet USA e-mail group? someone on there might be able to direct you further
Perhaps that should be the role of those bi activists/organizers curriedspam referred to... they shouldn't just "go away"... their knowledge and experience is extremely valuable... but rather organizations should focus on outreach to the next generation of bisexual advocates and take a mentoring approach
that is EXACTLY what she (and others) are hoping to do but feel stymied and in some ways cut off from what should be the next up and coming generation of Bi/LGBT activists
there seems to be (same as in parts of the women's community) a lot of complacency and an attitude of " oh well I've got mine" without realizing unless everyone keeps pushing things not only won't progress but might slip backwards
PS Personally I ( ... )
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it may be hard to hear but at least it is honest and very thought provoking
please remember to also go over to curriedspam and give her your thoughts on how things are going in the bisexual movement and how they could be improved to serve you better
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could we tempt you to come join the new ListServ Local_Bi_Group_Leaders and give us soem of the benifits of your experience?
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I struggle with the 'b-word' for many reasons including that I think it connotates that I'm equally attracted to each sex (not necessarily) and the binary problem... for some people it is not an issue but to me it's important especially because I think I could be attracted to a transgendered/intersexed person.
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and as we in the bisexual community are dissapointed when groups we identify with (such as the Lesbian and Gay Task Force) fail to include us, so people who are pansexual et. al. feel the same disapointment at the word bisexual
so both of these feelings are totally understandable
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