I forget how much of a difference being out makes to other people. I’ve been an out bisexual since at least 2006, and I forget what difference that makes to other non straight, non gay and non lesbian people.
A couple of weeks ago, I appeared in The Age (nice photo and everything) talking about bisexuality, to support a friend and fellow activist’s book on bisexuality. The interview was easy, apart from it being at 9:30am on a Sunday, and the photographer who came around to take photos of me and James was also lovely, the whole thing was great.
My colleagues, who I had told I was being photographed, were very supportive of the story, messaging me as soon as they saw it, congratulating me on being in the paper. Old colleagues from a previous job, who I am also out to, got in contact to tell me that they had found the article and loved it. In all of this, I forgot that this story makes a difference to people.
Being an out bisexual is so a part of my life, I forget that it helps other people. Two people, one a friend of a friend, and one a business associate, have commented positively on the article, one talked to me about bisexuality and the invisibility she feels because she is married to a man, as well as how she feels unwelcome in LGBTI spaces because she is bisexual and married to a man. The other thanked me for the work I do (outside my paid work), saying that this was so important, and made such a big difference to people.
When I agreed to be interviewed I thought about the impact this probably wouldn’t have on my life – given I’m very out. I didn’t think about the impact that it would have on other bisexual people, or those who fit under the bisexual umbrella. I’m glad it’s made a difference, and I recognise I need to spend more time thinking on how to use my power (of being an out bisexual) for good to bring community to those who don’t know where to find it.
If you are in Victoria, Australia there is a Bisexual community. You can be a part of called Bi-Alliance Victoria. If you are in other parts of Australia, please feel free to follow us on Twitter, join our email lists or like our Facebook page. (I’m not on Facebook, I have no idea what you’re supposed to do in FB land) If you’re visiting Melbourne, and you’re here when we have a discussion group, come along. Always great to meet people and build community.
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