We're In This Thing Together

By Martha Hardy

2013 Bi Community Issues Roundtable at the White House Attendees, BiNetUSA.org

BiNet USA's Faith Cheltenham just published a wonderful piece about solidarity on The Bilerico Project called "Bisexuals at the Gates" in which she further reflects on being present a the signing of President Obama's Executive Order prohibiting workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. In this piece, Faith Cheltenham calls upon us to work together not only within bisexual communities but also with lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, asexual, and intersex people. It is hard to pick just one pull quote, so here are a couple:

"We can't save lives alone, and I'm proud we have amazing gay, lesbian, transgender, queer, ace, intersex, and heterosexual allies who stand with us and against every stupid myth, stereotype, and slight against complex sexualities. Together we're fighting against a monosexist society that would call for bisexuals to "come out," and then close the gates to desperately-needed resources when they do. Bisexual resources and support opportunities still need to be created at nearly every major LGBT organization, and doing so will ensure bisexual people won't continue to face immediate sexual assault, stigma, and suicidality upon disclosing they are bisexual."

"Having frank conversations about acephobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and classism are necessary in order to keep our entire community safe and whole, even if inclusive language is sometimes unfamiliar and suspiciously lacking in cynicism. Sexual and gender minority movements have never had a "more perfect union," but we can still build one on the backs of our collected strength."

"How I got up there onstage with President Obama last week is also the story of how I survived growing up black, broke, and bisexual. It's the tale of how I got up from thinking I was alone and never at home in the world, let alone at home with a word that described my own community. And it's another step in the nearly fifty years of modern bisexual history that belongs to us all.

When I stood by the president, I did not stand alone. My community stood with me."

As bisexual people, we're used to being erased, or ignored, or overlooked. We're rightfully frustrated when others act as if the B in GLBT is silent or not there at all. We get caught up in debates about labels. All of these conversations are crucial for bi+ folks to have AND we also need to remember that, as bi+, transgender, gay, lesbian, queer, intersex, and asexual people, we're all in this thing together, working for social justice.