Day celebrates bisexuality, dispels myths

Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with "Bi Pride" in large red letters Ann Arbor resident Susan Hope, along with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community members, gathered last night at the Aut Bar for the inaugural Celebrate Bisexuality Day.

Celebrate Bisexuality Day, recognized worldwide, was initiated to acknowledge and celebrate bisexuality and bisexual history in society.

About 45 people, including students, supporters and Ann Arbor residents, with an equal gender ratio, participated in the friendly atmosphere inside the bar and at outside tables.

"We're here to socialize, have fun and drink together," said Holly Ferrise, coordinator of education and training for the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs.

KIMITSU YOGACHI/Daily Ann Arbor resident Stephanie Moore-Fuller holds up a sign expressing her support for the newly inaugurated

The celebratory day is "the brainchild of three activists who wanted to challenge the pervasive and wrongheaded notion that any one of us can be defined by the gender of our partner," according to information on BiNet USA, the largest American Bisexual organization. BiNet USA works to develop visibility for the bisexual community.

Hope said she was pleased with turnout for the event and stressed the importance of visibility.

Many bisexuals define their sexuality on an individual basis, Hope said, but a general definition is "to be attracted emotionally, sexually, or romantically to members of all genders."

Many people believe that bisexuals are confused about their sexuality and the education - including pamphlets at the bar's entrance - help to dispel this myth, Hope said.

"It's like a big bisexual potluck," Hope said, gesturing to the people of varying ages and representing both genders mingling at tables.

"Does biphobia make you blue?" Hope asked while wearing a necklace of four rainbow colored rings, that she said represented queer pride. Hope and others put blue paint on their faces to symbolize the fight against bisexual phobia for people afraid to talk about their bisexuality.

Second-year graduate student Binyamin Biber said the celebration also gave significance to the "BT" in LGBT. The letters representing bisexuals and transgenders are often overlooked, he said.

Co-owner of the Common Language Bookstore Lyn Kelly sold books and pins related to bisexual topics last night.

"It's really important to be supportive of people who stand up for themselves," Kelly said. "People shouldn't have to feel bad about themselves."

Kelly laid her hand, with her arm dabbed with blue paint, onto book-covered table. She said that she didn't expect her books to sell and that she was there predominantly as a supporter. "This much stuff has been written by and for (bisexuals). It's an indicator of things changing."

Celebrate Bisexuality Day yesterday at the Aut Bar located on Braun Road.

09-24-99