Thousands of people across the globe have universally marked the tenth annual Celebrate Bisexual Day.
Probably first observed in 1999, the 23 September anniversary is the
brainchild of three United States bisexual rights activists: Wendy
Curry of Maine, Michael Page of Florida, and Gigi Raven Wilbur of Texas.
Wilbur said: “Ever since the Stonewall rebellion, the gay and
lesbian community has grown in strength and visibility. The bisexual
community also has grown in strength but in many ways we are still
invisible. I too have been conditioned by society to automatically
label a couple walking hand in hand as either straight or gay,
depending upon the perceived gender of each person.”
This celebration of bisexuality in particular, as opposed to
general LGBT events, was conceived as a response to the marginalisation
of the bisexual community by some in both the straight and greater
lesbian and gay communities.
In its first year, an observance was held during the International
Lesbian and Gay Association, which occurred during the week of the
23rd. While at first it only took hold in areas with an extremely
strong bisexual presence, it is now celebrated worldwide.
It features event such as discussions, dinner parties and dances in
Toronto and a large masquerade ball in Queensland, Australia. At Texas
A&M University, the week featured discussion panels and
question-and-answer sessions. Princeton University celebrates this day
each year by throwing a party at its LGBT Center. It has also been
celebrated in Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and here in the
United Kingdom.