Last night, here in Minneapolis, five protesters were shot by white men suspected to be white supremacists. Police then moved in on and maced protesters, did not move in to catch the shooting suspects, and were slow to take statements from witnesses. Many on twitter also report derisive and dismissive comments from police on the scene and police dispatchers.

Protests for ‪#‎justice4jamar‬ continue today at the ‪#‎4thprecinctshutdown‬.

#justice4jamar March today: https://www.facebook.com/events/1661441714104855/

#justice4jamar Memorial Concert tonight: https://www.facebook.com/events/859582110829927/

For updates and to find out how you can stand for ‪#‎blacklivesmatter‬:
- Follow Black Lives Matter Minneapolis https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesMatterMinneapolis
- White folks, follow SURJ MN: Showing Up for Racial Justice - Minnesota https://www.facebook.com/showingupforracialjusticemn

We stand for justice for all of us, not just for some.

Peace. Stay safe. Stay awake.

From BOP Chair, Camille Holthaus:

For this 2015 Transgender Day of Remembrance ‪#‎TDOR‬ and for every day.

As a bisexual, cisgender woman, I stand with my trans siblings of all sexual orientations to remember transgender people who have been killed this year. I also stand with the trans community to call for more protections for trans people. Trans people experience violent hate crimes at much higher rates than the rest of the LGBT community. Trans women of color are the most vulnerable of an already besieged community and especially need our support and care.

I want to acknowledge the huge impact violence against trans people has on the bi+ community because so many of our community are trans. Bi+ people are not bystanders who can decided if we are involved or not. We stand together against people who do not understand us and who do not include us. Together we do the hard work of breaking down binary narratives. We must be inclusive of each other, support each other, and understand how our struggles are inextricably entwined.

Cis bi+ people must speak up about violence against trans people. It is our responsibility to use our cis privilege to create space for trans inclusion and leadership, to speak up where it might be too unsafe for a trans person to speak, and to act in all ways as the allies we are.
We are so much stronger together.

Help fund the BECAUSE Conference and bi+ representation at regional Pride Celebrations! The first $1000 in donations will be matched!

The BECAUSE Conference started in 1992 and has been an important part of the bi community. Don't take our word for it! Here's nationally known blogger Aud Traher:
Over this past weekend I had the amazing privilege of going to the BECAUSE conference in Minnesota. 3 days of nothing but Bi activism, Bi workshops, performance and food. I have been in my fair share of LG BT spaces, I have given my time, my money, my spirit, my spoons and energy to those spaces and organizations. And you know what? Unless they can provide for me as a Bi Trans person the welcome and acceptance BECAUSE did? I’m out of there.
http://evenaud.wordpress.com/2014/06/12/the-bar-has-been-raised-now-you-jump/

And bi elder Lorraine Hutchins:
Surround me with a few hundred bisexuals for a whole weekend, and I relax like I haven’t in a long time, feeling empowered and supported.  Even after all these years as an out bisexual, being with so many bi comrades who understand our unique challenges and care about our community is still a rare experience.
http://www.lorainehutchins.com/2014/06/18/because-brings-bisexuals-together/

We keep BECAUSE as accessible as possible by making registration free or pay what you can, providing meals and receptions throughout the weekend as well as offering scholarships. Last year over 300 attendees from across the country joined us for workshops, speakers, and community building. Paid registrations only cover about a third of our conference expenses. The conference happens because of the amazing financial support of individuals, organizations, and businesses. All U of M students attended for free as well!
Help us keep BECAUSE available to the entire community! Donate now to support BECAUSE 2016—and we hope to see you at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus April 8 – 10, 2016.

• $70 covers the cost of a person to attend to BECAUSE.
• $100 provides lunch for 10 people at the conference.
• $1000 allows us to the cost for a national keynote presenter.

DONATE NOW

Bisexual Organizing Project will once again be participating in Give to the Max Day 2015. This is a special day of the year where people like you show how much you love what we do. We know you do that all the time, so why Give to the Max Day? Because GiveMN will make your contribution so much more. GiveMN awards cash to organizations who have the most donors on Give to the Max Day,plus, random drawings add $1,000 to a selected donation every hour on November 12!

You don't even have to do it on the 12th. Let's face it, we're all busy. But you can schedule your donation now, and then forget about it.

Why?

How about ... paying for one person to receive a scholarship to BECAUSE ($50).
How about ... paying for food for one attendee at BECAUSE ($10).. or lunch for 10 ($100)?
How about ... helping us provide a presentation on Bi+ Essentials to organizations that may need our information but can't afford to bring in a speaker?

You can give as little as $10, or as much as you're comfortable with. Find out more details about how your investment is put to work on our GiveMN.org page!

It's Time!   Schedule Your Donation!   Don't Wait!