Bi-Visibility Day
23 Sep 2024
Celebrate Bi-Visibility Day on Monday, 23 September
Bi-Visibility Day on Monday, 23rd September has been marked nationally since 1999 and the University has supported the day since 2012. Bi-Visibility Day is a call for the bisexual community and their allies to recognise and celebrate bisexuality, bisexual history, community and culture, and all the bisexual people in their lives.
The University has a significant bisexual population. In our March 2024 Equality Information Report, 4.1% of our staff and 11.3% of our students declared their sexual orientation as ‘bisexual’.
In fact, the actual percentage of bisexual colleagues and students is most likely higher than the numbers states above. Stonewall have stated that ‘two in five bi people hide or disguise their sexual orientation at work’. Many bisexual people hide their identity due to the negative stereotypes, incorrect assumptions and discrimination that they face.
At the University of Manchester, we recognise and celebrate our bisexual staff and students by continuing to support Bi Visibility Day, through our LGBT+ Staff and Student Networks as well as though data collection which helps us to continually grow and improve.
Ways you can support Bi Visibility Day:
- Visit Stonewall’s Bi Visibility Hub to learn more about Bi Visibility how you can be a supportive ally;
- Read profiles of some of our bisexual members on our ALLOUT Profile pages;
- Wear colours of the Bi Flag to show support to friends and colleagues;
- Watch the very first TED Talk on bisexuality, or a TED Talk which looks at bi-erasure;
- Contribute to Wikipedia - you can edit the pages of bi celebs! A video gives a flavour of what you can do;
- Familiarise yourself with our LGBT+ Guidance for managers;
- Check and update your equality details in MyView and encourage others to do the same;
- Read all about The Kinsey Scale which describes a person's sexual orientation;
- Become a member of ALLOUT – the LGBT Staff Network Group or become an ALLOUT Ally - supporting all LGBT+ Staff – you will learn how to be a bi-ally - plus all allies get a choice of LGBT+ lanyard to wear! ALLOUT members who are not bi can also become a bi-ally via this route too.
More Information
You can contact the EDI Team with any questions equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk.