Category Archives: Uncategorized

j-applebee:

Structural issues with BiCon. Or why I’m not returning unless I see some changes.

BiCon is run by volunteers in the bisexual community.  Every year the organisers change.  If an organiser screws up, often nothing is done, cos they won’t be there next year (usually).  Last year an organiser made paedophile jokes during the cabaret, mocked non-binary people & was generally inappropriate. Very little was done, even though lots of people complained & were in tears (including me) at the Paedophile thing.  There’s nothing to guarantee the same won’t happen this year or the next, because they’re never held accountable.  The same guy who caused the upset last year (breaking several BiCon Code of Conduct rules in the process) wasn’t thrown out of the Con. If an attendee had done that, they’d be told to leave immediately.  It’s been almost a year since that incident, but I haven’t heard or seen anything on BiCon website apologising about it, or even mentioning it.

When I’ve brought up problems in the past, I’ve often been told “We’re just volunteers!  We don’t get paid to do this!”  This is a silencing tactic, which minimises the power that these volunteers have.  It’s like saying, “Shut up and be grateful!”

Another issue is the constant lack of engagement with bisexuals of colour.  The highest attendance (20+) we had was the year a donor gave BiCon funding to subsidise free places for People of Colour, disabled and working class.  The next year there was nothing, and the attendance went down to about 5 bi’s of colour.  Nobody on organising teams wants to look at the fact that bi’s of colour are more likely to be unemployed or on low wages – due to racism.  If we can’t get subsides places, we simply can’t go.  I’ve been saying this since 2008, and nobody seems to listen.  At the same time, I keep getting asked how BiCon can become more accessible and diverse.  This just feels like the minimum amount of lip service.

I’ve been a bisexual activist for years.  BiCon has been the highlight of each of those years.  BiCon needs to look at the structure of organising the event.  BiCon Continuity could possibly include this in their remit too.  Because until things change, and I feel safer attending, I’m not going back.

I don’t represent all Bisexuals of Colour, but I wanted to be sure they all knew what was happening.  I don’t want to put people off going to BiCon – I want BiCon to be welcoming to everyone so more people can attend.

Free tickets to Bicon 2017

BiCon is a weekend-long educational and social gathering for bi people, their friends, partners, and others with a supportive interest in bisexuality.

Bicon 2016 passed on money to help us improve access to the event for first time attendee’s, people of colour and people who identify as working class.

This year we are pleased to be able to provide 6 free weekend tickets for this year’s Bicon.

If you would like to apply for a free ticket or know someone who would and are a first time attendee and either Identify as working class or are a person of colour please send an email to 2017@bicon.org.uk explaining to us why you would like to attend Bicon and we will let you know if your application has been accepted by the 30th of April

Copyright © 2017 BiCon UK 2017, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
BiCon UK 2017
25 Britannia House
Palgrave roadBedford, MK42 9BY
United Kingdom

Uncategorized

womanistgamergirl:

So, I had an idea. A shit idea probably, but an idea nonetheless.

Black bisexual people catch shit from all sides. We get labeled as gay when we come out or told we don’t exist. Black bi men get told they’re the cause of HIV in the Black community because “DL”. Black cishet women are biphobic af (don’t try to deny it). Black bi women are treated as personal sex toys by cishet Black men.

To counter this, I wanted something where Black bisexual individuals could show ourselves being happy and cute and shit because we are. I also want to show all the closeted Black bisexual people and the Black bisexual babies that they aren’t alone. We’re out here and we’re here for you.

So, the last Saturday of this month (the 25th), if you’re Black and bi and wanna participate, post a pic or tell your story using the hashtag #BlackBiBeauty either on here or twitter. Shit, get Facebook involved too. Why the fuck not?

London BiFest is back!!!

http://london.bifest.org

It’s happening on Saturday 8th April 2017.  And good news for al Bisexual People of Colour – WE GET IN FOR FREE!

London Bi Fest is sometimes called a mini BiCon, but it’s a great even just as it is.  There will be workshops, music and fun.  The location has good accessiblility – look at the website for a breakdown of that.

Sessions have already gone up.  There will be a Bi’s of Colour session, where we’ll be giving progress on the upcoming book, plus catching up with all you lovely folks!

So please come along to London BiFest.  If you think you may difficulty of any kind getting to, or attending this event, please contact Bis of Colour at bis.of.colour.gmail.com and we’ll try to help.