(Posted 2025 September)
Bisexual Awareness Week (September 16-23) is an annual event that focuses on bisexual people and their experiences, which are often overlooked or erased from conversations about the LGBTQ+ community.
Bisexual erasure, a form of discrimination, can be assumptions that bisexual people are “just confused;” promote stereotypes that they are either gay or straight, depending on the partner they are with; or manifest in the form of a lack of representation in the media, jokes, or ignoring their stories and experiences. This invisibility can have serious consequences for bisexual people's mental and physical health, leading to feelings of isolation. It also puts bisexuals at increased risk of intimate partner violence.
Bisexual Awareness Week is an opportunity to challenge these stereotypes and raise awareness about bisexuality. It is a time to celebrate and honor the bisexual community and to create a world where bisexual people can live openly and proudly. It is also a chance to increase access to resources and support. The week’s key objectives include:
- Educating the public about bisexuality, dispelling myths and stereotypes
- Encouraging acceptance of bisexual individuals within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond
- Addressing the unique challenges faced by bisexual individuals, including stigma and discrimination, which can impact mental health
- Advocating for initiatives that protect the rights of bisexual people
To achieve these goals, organizations host events, discussions, and workshops to promote bisexual visibility and use social media initiatives to spread awareness and share personal stories to foster connection and understanding.
Bisexual Awareness Week serves as a platform for education, advocacy, and community building, aiming to create a space for bisexuals to be seen, heard, and respected.
Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division supports adults, teens, and children who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. Services are confidential, free, and provided regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing interpersonal violence, call the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273 for resources and support. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
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