FLASHBACK: Bi Visibility Day Was Founded (September 23, 1999)

September 23, 1999: Today in LGBTQ+ history…

Bi Visibility Day, aka Bisexual Day, was founded to celebrate the bisexual community.

September 23 has been recognized around the world as Bi Visibility Day or International Celebrate Bisexuality Day since 1999. The day aims to provide a platform to the bisexual community and their supporters, and to bring attention to the social, economic and cultural prejudices and challenges faced by bisexual people. It’s an important day to recognize, especially within our own community because there’s also prejudice within the queer community.

The first Bi Visibility Day was organized in 1999 by a trio of American activists. Michael Page, Gigi Raven Wilbur and Wendy Curry rallied to raise awareness about bisexuality and to dispel the stigma surrounding their community.

“Ever since the Stonewall rebellion, the gay and lesbian community has grown in strength and visibility,” said Wilbur. “The bisexual community also has grown in strength, but in many ways we are still invisible. I too have been conditioned by society to automatically label a couple walking hand in hand as either straight or gay, depending upon the perceived gender of each person.”