Celebrate Bisexuality Day: Embracing Identity, Awareness, and Respect
September 23 marks more than just a date on the calendar—it’s Celebrate Bisexuality Day, a day dedicated to recognizing and honoring bisexual identities, histories, struggles, and triumphs. This observance is part of Bisexual Awareness Week, and it’s rooted in a mission: to uplift voices that have often been marginalized, even within broader LGBTQ+ circles.
Bisexuality is defined as attraction to more than one gender—not exclusively to one. But while that may sound simple, bisexual people everywhere know that the reality is often far from straightforward. This day invites all of us to learn, listen, and stand in solidarity.
What is Celebrate Bisexuality Day & Why It Matters
Celebrate Bisexuality Day began in 1999, thanks to Wendy Curry, Michael Page, and Gigi Raven Wilbur. The founders wanted to raise awareness of the unique challenges bisexual people face—both from outside the LGBTQ+ community and within it. Bisexuals are sometimes misunderstood or dismissed: labeled “confused” by people outside the LGBTQ+ umbrella, or seen as “undecided” or even “traitors” by some within the LGBTQ+ community. These misconceptions can make it harder for people to be open about their identity, to find acceptance, and to feel truly seen.
Celebrate Bisexuality Day is important because it shines a light on those challenges. It gives space for bisexual voices. It promotes visibility. And it calls for respect. It reminds us that every person is deserving of love, dignity, and the freedom to be themselves.
Symbols, Identity, & Representation
Every identity has symbols that help with visibility and belonging—and bisexuality is no exception.
The Bisexual Pride Flag features three colors: pink, purple (often shown as lavender), and blue. Pink represents attraction to the same gender, blue represents attraction to different genders, and the purple stripe in between blends them, symbolizing attraction to more than one gender.
Bisexual representation matters. More public figures who are open about being bisexual help reduce stigma, encourage understanding, and inspire others to embrace or explore their identity without shame.
Common Struggles Faced by Bisexual People
Though there’s been progress, many bisexual people still face both external and internal challenges:
From the outside: Discrimination from those who believe bisexuality doesn’t exist, or who assume someone is “just gay or straight but hasn’t decided yet.” Misunderstanding, erasure, or invalidation can come in many forms.
From within LGBTQ+ spaces: Bisexual people may feel excluded or viewed skeptically by folks who believe in stricter identity definitions. Sometimes there’s a pressure to “choose a side,” which can be deeply hurtful.
Mental health impacts: Because of stigma, invisibility, and invalidation, bisexual individuals are statistically more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges.
How You Can Observe & Be an Ally
It’s one thing to recognize and another to act. Here are ways individuals and communities can meaningfully show support on Celebrate Bisexuality Day (and beyond):
Attend local events: Seek out teach-ins, poetry readings, panels, community gatherings. These offer opportunities to learn firsthand, hear stories, and participate.
Listen & Amplify: If you have friends or family who identify as bisexual, listen to their experiences without judgment. Elevate their voices. Share stories, media, art, and perspectives that center bisexuality.
Show visibility: Display the bisexual pride flag. Wear bi-colors. Include bisexual themes in your social media, workplace, school, etc. Visibility helps normalize and affirm.
Educate yourself: Read, research, challenge your assumptions. Know the history. Understand common myths. Being informed helps you be a stronger ally.
Advocate for inclusivity: Whether in policies, workplaces, schools, or social spaces, push for environments that respect all identities—including bisexuality. Speak out against erasure, erode stigma, demand representation.
Five Facts to Reflect On
To deepen our understanding and appreciation, here are some important realities about bisexual identity:
In the U.S., bisexual people make up a large portion of the LGBTQ+ community—many estimate that over half of LGBTQ+ folks identify as bisexual.
A significant number of bisexual individuals are not “out” at work or in other parts of their lives—fear of misunderstanding or discrimination often plays a role.
Bisexual women in many cases face higher rates of both intimate partner and sexual violence compared to some other groups.
Bisexual people often confront disparities in mental and physical health—including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and in some studies, STIs—often stemming from stress, marginalization, or lack of affirming support.
Even within LGBTQ+ rights movements, bisexual concerns can be overlooked or misunderstood, which makes dedicated days like this one vital.
Why It’s Worth Celebrating Every Year
Celebrate Bisexuality Day is not just a symbolic gesture. It serves:
as a reminder that the fight for LGBTQ+ equality must include bisexual voices
as a way to create space for those who feel unseen
as an inspiration for individuals who may be questioning or hiding their identity to know they are not alone
as a prompt for all of us to do better in respect, inclusion, and representation
Celebrate Bisexuality Day isn’t just for those who identify as bisexual—it’s a day for everyone. Whether you are exploring your own identity, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking to be more inclusive, today offers an opportunity to affirm that all sexuality identities deserve respect, understanding, and visibility. If you commit to one small change—one act of listening, one moment of allyship—you help make the world safer and more welcoming for everyone.