originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:51 PM

Hopefully, this thread can serve as a place for bi+ people to connect without fear of biphobia! As I mentioned before I will post some resources on how you can connect with bi support and community  

 

@scared01 touched on this question before and we thought this was a great one to hash out a little further if you have anything else to say on this @AnthonyBisexual 

 

What's the difference between bisexuality and pansexuality?

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:56 PM

There is a very nuanced difference but bisexuality is the attraction to people of your own gender and other genders and, pansexuality is the attraction to people regardless of their gender (so its about the person not their specific gender), does that make sense?

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:01 PM

That totally makes sense but for anyone who wants more context, we touched on the last question at the beginning of the live chat 🙂 

 

@AnthonyBisexual I think I speak for everyone who has been involved tonight, that your insights have been so invaluable. I think we are so lucky to have had you online with us this evening! And thank you for sharing those wonderful resources with us as well  

 

To wrap it up we have one last question: 

 

How to be a good ally? 

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:06 PM

Thank you so much for having me and i am so happy to have spent tonight with you all, thank you for all of your wonderful questions and insights.

So, how to be a good ally?....believe a bi+ person when they tell you they are bi, always refer to them as bisexual regardless of the gender of their partner, and most of all, allies please go out and talk to other non-bi people about biphobia and how important it is for the bi-community that you help us feel more welcomed and affirmed.
You are all amazing thanks again!

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:10 PM

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts @AnthonyBisexual. I've loved reading through this chat. 🙂

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:13 PM

Sydney Bi+ Network

https://sydneybiplusnetwork.org/

 

Brisbiane Bi+ Network

https://m.facebook.com/BrisbaneBiNetwork/

 

Perth Bisexual Community Group

https://m.facebook.com/groups/bicommperth/?ref=group_header&view=group

 

Victorian Bisexual/ pansexual/ multi-gender attracted (Bi+) community stuff:

Bi Alliance Victoria run monthly support groups for Bi people, their partners, friends, family members and allies: You can find them at http://www.bi-alliance.org/ 

The Melbourne Bisexual Network (MBN) is a professional peer volunteer network and we have a number of projects that we work on at any given time. You can contact them to find out more about their 40+ Bisexual social group. MBN can be found at www.melbournebisexualnetwork.com   

 

Monthly social gatherings and community connection for bisexual/  pansexual people is something MBN advocate for and support, we have a FB page that many of our members use, this is facilitated by the MBN president Ruby. Online conversations occur on this Facebook page regarding bisexual people, family, friends and allies. You are most welcome to join to connect with others. You can check out the Bisexual Community Facebook group where these social events and other things are discussed: 

https://m.facebook.com/groups/melbourne.bi.community 

 

Melbourne's LGBTI radio JOY 94.9 FM you can listen to the Triple Bi-Pass show every Tuesday night  at 9pm for more information on our bi+ community. You can check out the podcasts at joy.org.au/triplebipass 

 

Thorne Harbour Health will be offering an 8 week therapeutic group for Bisexual/ Pansexual/ multi-gender attracted people later this year. The group is called Bi+ & Mighty and details can be found at https://thorneharbour.org/lgbti-health/mental-health/therapeutic-groups/

 

Australia wide:

Another great Australian resource is Bi+ Australia where you can find a range of information and resources all aimed to support people who identify as bi+ and their families. They also provide bi-inclusive online counselling and other supports. Go to  https://www.biplusaustralia.org/

 

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:08 PM

@AnthonyBisexual I think you've taught us so much tonight and made our bisexual members feel really valid and valued. Thank you so much!  

 

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:13 PM

@Bre-RO - I love that gif, I am jealous that bi people get all the fun puns. 

Thanks so much @AnthonyBisexual! I loved being a part of this chat and hearing your insights, and thanks again for all the resources! Seriously, I never knew of any bi-specific resources before now. I'm glad I'd know where to direct someone should they need it, now! 

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:17 PM

Thank you so much @AnthonyBisexual for coming onto RO to have this discussion! It was really informative and just plain awesome! 😄 

 

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:21 PM

Thanks @AnthonyBisexual!!

This was a really good discussion!

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:13 PM

What an absolute cracker of a discussion!!! I am a proud member of the queer community and after reading this discussion I feel even prouder and more importantly I have some really good insights around the bi community and how I can be a better ally!!! Thank you to everyone who participated, @Bre-RO  for facilitating, and a massive thank you to @AnthonyBisexual 🌈❤🙌

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:00 PM

Personally, I think there's so much debate over the difference between pan/bisexuality so I really think it's up to personal interpretation. For example, some people think you can only like two genders if you're bi (e.g. woman and non-binary people). The way I see it though and the definition I most like is that it's a different kind of attraction? For example, bi people can be attracted to men in a different way to their attraction to women, whereas pan people are 'gender-blind' and are attracted to all people in the same way. I'm not bi or pan though, so I don't know how valid this definition is! 

The bottom line is -- if a label fits you, go for it!

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:05 PM

Love this  @Hozzles 

 

The bottom line is -- if a label fits you, go for it!

 

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:03 PM

i love this, thank you for sharing it, i think the more ways we have to explain the complexity of our intimate feelings desires and inner worlds, the better

originally posted on 04-03-2020 9:00 PM

@AnthonyBisexual  Thanks for explaining that! I was wondering about the difference too. Good question 🙂

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:50 PM

One of the reasons I especially love going to pride is seeing all the different flags i.e. the unique bi, trans, asexual, etc flags. A brilliant reminder of separate micro-communities coming together into one and showing solitary! I wish there were more resources for people that don't quite identify as either gay or straight, though.

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:54 PM

Thank you for mentioning Asexuality, people can have no sexual desire or attraction but feel romantic attractions to people of all genders #asexual/biromatic

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:57 PM

@WheresMySquishy me too! Also, it's usually funny as there's always about four different kinds of lesbian flags, haha.

@AnthonyBisexual  of course! For most of my teenage life I thought I was ace, so I'm passionate about supporting those people (and the rest of the community) as it was a very lonely time for me. I emphasize with people struggling to find resources to help them through their journeys. 

Wow, thank you for your great collection of resources! 

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:53 PM

@Hozzles  I love seeing all the flags too! 🙂 I always try to see if each micro-community is represented and get annoyed when they leave ones out.

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:54 PM

This has been a really cool chat to read through! Loved hearing your insights so far @AnthonyBisexual 😄

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:52 PM

This is very Victorian-based. But you can add:

Sydney Bi+ Network
https://sydneybiplusnetwork.org/

Brisbiane Bi+ Network
https://m.facebook.com/BrisbaneBiNetwork/

Perth Bisexual Community Group
https://m.facebook.com/groups/bicommperth/?ref=group_header&view=group

Victorian Bisexual/ pansexual/ multi-gender attracted (Bi+) community stuff:

Bi Alliance Victoria run monthly support groups for Bi people, their partners, friends, family members and allies: You can find them at http://www.bi-alliance.org/

The Melbourne Bisexual Network (MBN) is a professional peer volunteer network and we have a number of projects that we work on at any given time. You can contact them to find out more about their 40+ Bisexual social group. MBN can be found at www.melbournebisexualnetwork.com

Monthly social gatherings and community connection for bisexual/ pansexual people is something MBN advocate for and support, we have a FB page that many of our members use, this is facilitated by the MBN president Ruby. Online conversations occur on this Facebook page regarding bisexual people, family, friends and allies. You are most welcome to join to connect with others. You can check out the Bisexual Community Facebook group where these social events and other things are discussed:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/melbourne.bi.community

Melbourne's LGBTI radio JOY 94.9 FM you can listen to the Triple Bi-Pass show every Tuesday night at 9pm for more information on our bi+ community. You can check out the podcasts at joy.org.au/triplebipass

Thorne Harbour Health will be offering an 8 week therapeutic group for Bisexual/ Pansexual/ multi-gender attracted people later this year. The group is called Bi+ & Mighty and details can be found at https://thorneharbour.org/lgbti-health/mental-health/therapeutic-groups/


Australia wide:

Another great Australian resource is Bi+ Australia where you can find a range of information and resources all aimed to support people who identify as bi+ and their families. They also provide bi-inclusive online counselling and other supports. Go to https://www.biplusaustralia.org/

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:40 PM

its really great reading along with all the questions and responses tonight 🙂

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:36 PM

@AnthonyBisexual that made me think of another myth: that if you haven't been with either gender, then you can't be bi. You can be bi without having never been with the opposite gender to who you normally date! Some people feel like they should experiment with people of all genders, while others are happy with their one person. Like with all sexualities, both are valid and it has nothing to do with being bi!

originally posted on 04-03-2020 8:41 PM

yep yep for sure. Sexual orientation is not about sexual behaviour. Althogh the 2 are linked, they are not always linked. Said in another way, just because a man kisses a man or a woman kisses a woman doesn't automatically make them gay or lesbian.
But you make such a great point. A gay man or a lesbian women can be a virgin and no one would question their sexuality. A bisexual person may only have been with one gender and their sexuality is questioned and measured against how many people of different genders they have sex with.
Don't you hate the question: "what percentage gay are you and what percentage straight are you"??? soo annoying....of course the answer is 100% bisexual!!!