Marking the 25th anniversary of Bi Visibility Day

Saturday 23 September is Bi Visibility Day.

We will be flying the Bi flag from Hove and Brighton town halls to honour and celebrate the contributions of bisexual communities to our city.

Bi Visibility Day is observed annually since 1999 to recognize and celebrate bisexual people, the bisexual community, and the history of bisexuality.

Bi is an umbrella term used to describe a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards more than one gender.

Bi people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including, but not limited to, bisexual, pan, queer, and other identities.

Bi people have always existed but are often erased from our history books, ignored in the media or stereotyped and ridiculed. Bi people are real. Bi people are valid. Bi people have diverse experiences and identities. And Bi people have been a crucial part of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

Everyone has a role to play in achieving this - to learn about Bi experiences and the unique challenges faced, to call out biphobia and harmful stereotypes where safe to do so, to increase the representation of Bi people whenever we can.

You can find out more about to celebrate, promote and challenge on Stonewall’s Bi Visibility Hub. You can also read reflections on why we need a Bi Visibility Day to the 10 ways you can be a Bi ally.

Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said: “We are proud to fly the flag for the 25th anniversary of the first Bi Visibility Day to represent, honour and celebrate the communities who often find themselves invisible.

“There are many people, groups and communities who come together under the Bi+ umbrella, all of whom deserve to be heard, to be seen and to be able to embrace their identity and live freely.

“This day is fundamental to dismantling stereotypes and denouncing biphobia and bi-erasure, but also drawing attention to the unique experiences and challenges Bi people face.”

Reporting hate crime and anti-social behaviour

Everyone in Brighton & Hove has a right to feel safe.

We are committed to LGBTQ+ equality and supporting communities harmed by hate crime.

We encourage anyone who has experienced anti-social behaviour or hate incidents, harassment or distress due to their identity, to report it. 

You can do that using our online anti-social behaviour and hate incident reporting form or by contacting our Community Safety team by emailing communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk or calling 01273 292735.

Or you can report hate incidents to Sussex Police on 101 if it’s not an emergency. In an emergency, always call 999.

We’re also working with community partners to offer an option of reporting hate incidents to them in a confidential safe space. 

• Rainbow Hub 
  
  Ledward Centre, Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1UU 
  
  Phone: 07714 782585 
  
  Open: 11am to 4pm, Friday to Sunday 
• Possability People 
  
  Montague House, Montague Place, Brighton, BN2 1JE 
  
  Phone: 01273 894 040 
  
  Open: 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday 
• Racial Harassment Forum 
  
  Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG 
  
  Phone: 01273 234 017 or 07563 389482 
  
  Open: 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday