Bi Writers Association

MySpace page of murdered bi sailor revealed

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:45:12 GMT

MySpace page of murdered bi sailor revealed

August Provost from his MySpace page:
I am in the military and I enjoy working and helping my country fight for its freedom. I hope to get married and have kids one day but if not the kids, at least get married to my soulmate.

The very first thing on his MySpace page is his love declaration to his boyfriend:
My LOVE of my life KAETHER

Photo of Kaether from Album entitled "My Loves Backgrounds" on August's MySpace page:

Another pic:

"Me, My Sister, And Brother"

Provost's MySpace profile states:
Male
29 years old
Camp Pendleton, California
United States

Ironically, in his blogpost of 6/27 he is mourning the death of Michael Jackson
I miss Michael Jackson. R.I.P. my friend, never will die in my heart.
Mood: murning

Eerily, his myspace notes:
Last Login: 6/28/2009
Which was only 1 week ago, but it will be the last ever

You can see his myspace page here http://www.myspace.com/a_provost with more pics, blogposts about missing and loving Kaether and his family, etc.

Bisexual Sailor Murdered

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:44:46 GMT

Seaman August Provost, shown on his MySpace page,
was killed while on sentry duty at Camp Pendleton.

Bisexual Sailor Murdered

CNN) -- A sailor found dead earlier this week at California's Camp Pendleton was shot while standing sentry, and a fire was set in an attempt to cover up evidence, the U.S. Navy said. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/03/california.sailor.death/

The death of Seaman August Provost of Houston, Texas, is being investigated as a homicide, Capt. Matt Brown told reporters on Thursday. A sailor is in custody in the case, Brown said.

Although at least one of Provost's relatives said she believes he was killed because of his sexual orientation and his race, Brown said there was no indication the killing was a hate crime. A U.S. congressman also said on Friday there are indications Provost may have been killed because of his sexual orientation.

Provost was killed while he was standing guard as a sentry for the Assault Craft Unit 5 compound at Camp Pendleton, Brown said. He had begun the shift at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, and his body was discovered by his replacement around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.
"Preliminarily, it appears that Seaman Provost suffered gunshot wounds and it appears that someone
attempted to destroy evidence by lighting a fire at Seaman Provost's assigned place of duty," Brown said.

Provost's aunt, Rose Roy, of Beaumont, Texas, said by telephone on Friday that her nephew had told her he was being harassed because of his sexual orientation and because he was African-American. She described him as bisexual.

"He mentioned it to me and a couple other family members," she said of the harassment, and said he had first told her about it sometime last year. "He was frstrated by it," she said.

She said she had advised him to speake to someone of higher rank, but said she wasn't sure if he had done so.

"He went to serve and protect, but he didn't get the protection," she said. Brown said Thursday that he had no information on claims of harassment.

Asked whether she believed her nephew was killed because of race and sexual orientation, she said, "In my heart, I do." She added, "it was like an execution-style killing, and nobody does that unless you have that kind of hatred in your heart."

The Navy has one sailor in custody who "has been linked to the commission of this crime through both physical evidence and his own statement," Brown said. Watch Brown talk about the killing as a random act »

He did not identify the sailor, who has not been charged with wrongdoing. It is unclear if the sailor served with Provost in the same unit.

A second sailor whom authorities initially questioned has since been released, Brown said.

He said the Navy has no indication that Provost's death is a hate crime, although he emphasized the investigation is ongoing.

"What I can tell you, unequivocally at this point, based on the preliminary information that we have, is that regardless of the person standing watch in that sentry station, this crime would have most likely been carried out in the same way," he said.

"In other words, another sailor could have been on that post and would have been the victim of this crime."

Rep. Bob Filner, a California Democrat, has called for a full and transparent investigation. Asked Friday if Provost was killed because of his sexual orientation, he said, "There are indications that that's the case. His family says he was harassed."

Filner said he was on Camp Pendleton hours after Provost's body was found, although no one told him of the killing.

"When I was on the base for another event, the commander of the base was sitting next to me and never mentioned a word, which I find very strange," he said.

He said he was asking for the "truth of what happened."

"We're going to ask, if I may coin a phrase, and we hope that they tell," he said.

Roy said her nephew was "a good kid," who didn't have a "bad bone in his body" and had loved the Navy. He joined the service in March 2008, according to Brown.

"He was a people person," Roy said. "If he could give you the shirt off his back, he would."
**********

In other reports, he is described as gay http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/01/ca-sailor-death-070109/ and http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/august-provost/ .

Robyn Ochs Keynote Summit Speech

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:56:31 GMT

Robyn Ochs at Summit Ron Suresha, Robyn Ochs & Renata Moreira
Photos by Barbara Fortune

Transcript of Robyn Ochs Keynote Speech
National Summit on Putting the "B" in LGBT

Robyn wowed the Summit with her Keynote speech and we're very pleased to have a transcript to share with you! You can also listen to it on Robyn's website http://www.robynochs.com/Files/BiMediaSummitKeynote.mp3

I’m Robyn Ochs, and I identify as bisexual, and I most certainly exist. (laughter and applause) A big thanks to the conference organizers and volunteers and to the sponsoring organizations. And thanks to everyone here for choosing to take time out of your busy, overbooked lives to be inside on this beautiful, sunny day to listen, learn and to share your own thoughts.

The theme of this conference is putting the B into LGBT.

L..G..B..T.

I went to a trans conference a few years back, and one of the speakers made reference to the “LGB-fake T community.” I thought, “Um, hum.” I sat there in the audience thinking that our community could also be called the “LG-fake B-fake T community.” And sometimes even the “G-fake L-fake-B-fake-T community.” On our inclusion report cards, the box for “needs improvement” will certainly be checked.

So the B is not the only letter we have trouble with. But in fact, that is what we are here today to focus on. Keep in mind though, that almost everything I say about inclusion could be applied to other groups as well. But we are here today to focus on this particular letter. So in this keynote, I’ll talk about why I think people have so much difficulty seeing and understanding bisexuality. The panels that follow will provide us with greater specificity and focus.

I’ll start by laying out a few of my own assumptions so that you know where I’m coming from, and then I’ll address some obstacles to fair and accurate representation of bisexuals.

Here are my assumptions:

Fact: Human sexuality exists on a continuum. Some people are exclusively homosexual, some are exclusively heterosexual, and some of us fall somewhere along the continuum. The sexuality continuum is a big one. It doesn’t just have three points. There is a whole lot of variety between the poles.

Fact: We don’t all have the same ideas about what these identities mean. There is no universally accepted definition of what it means to call yourself gay, or lesbian, or straight, or bi, or queer. In fact, this is something that is constantly being negotiated. There are many people with same-sex attraction and or behavior who nonetheless identify as “straight.”.

Fact: There isn’t a tidy line that can be drawn between people in one identity group and people in another. Some self-identified bisexuals are gayer than some self-identified gay people. And some self-identified lesbians and gay men are more bisexual than some self-identified bisexuals. And to further complicate an already complicated reality, our identities can change over time as we discover more about ourselves.

Fact: some people define their identities by their current behavior. If you’re doing… (laughter, and Robyn blushes); others by their historical behavior or attractions. Others define their identities by their attractions, regardless of their behavior, seeing bisexuality as an embracing of one’s potential.

Fact: you don’t have to be “50/50” to identify as bisexual. The idea that you have to be 50/50 is really common. I have heard so many people say “I don’t know if I qualify, you see, I have had some attractions toward people of one sex, but most of my attractions have been toward women but I haven’t actually acted on … so I don’t’ know if it qualifies.

One of my favorite jokes is the following: we’d make up an official bisexual identity card, which would be a card that the Bisexual Authority would issue to you when you come out as bisexual. It would have two lines: one for a male lover, one for a female lover, and you’d have to get it signed and dated (laughter) by a male and a female lover. Once you got both of those lines signed and dated, you would qualify. You would be an official, card-carrying bisexual. But of course, like most memberships, there’d be an expiration date. Now we can argue about how long that would be: 10 years, 5 years, 6 months, two weeks, one day, whatever. Everytime you have a new lover you would get the appropriate line of your card re-signed and re-dated, and if you didn’t get both of those lined re-signed and re-dated before the expiration date you would no longer have the right to call yourself bisexual. Simple.

But needless to say, that’s not really the way it works. In fact, by any of these expiration standards, I would no longer “count” as bisexual. In fact, most researchers wouldn’t count me as bisexual because I haven’t had sex with a man in one year, two years, five years, or even ten years. But I still identify as bisexual. But I’ve had people say “No you’re not, because a bisexual is defined as someone who blah blah blah. But I’d say “You’re not the Biseuxal Authority. I am!” (laughter and applause)

So, now to my next to last fact:

Fact: all of the above facts make a lot of people uncomfortable because they require people to embrace complexity. Ick. And that’s part of the “ick factor thing – you’ve heard that expression. Part of it is sex-phobia, and part of it is complexity-phobia. The ick factor is about a resistance to sex AND a resistance to complexity."

Final fact: Bisexuality is – for some people – a long-term and stable identity. I know this to be true. I know it from experience, as I have identified as bisexual for 33 years – my entire adult life. So if in fact bisexuality is just a phase, then for me it has been one hell of a long phase, that I look forward to continuing.

Photo by Amanda Morgan Photo by Barbara Fortune

SO WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES TO BISEXUAL VISIBILITY?

There are several powerful and longstanding challenges to bisexual visibility. Here are 5:

1. The first is that WE’RE SIMPLY NOT SEEN. Let me explain what I mean by this: One of the particular challenges that bisexuals face is that for the most part, bisexual people are not recognizable to others as bisexual. We are assumed by other people to be either gay or straight.

Think about it: …

If I walk into a restaurant with my arm wrapped around a man, other people see a straight couple, 2 heterosexuals.

If I walk into a restaurant with my arm wrapped around a woman, what do other people see? (a lesbian couple, 2 lesbians – wow, they look awfully femmy, but they’re two lesbians. Of course, what else could they possibly be?)

What kind of behavior would I have to engage in to get other people to see me as bisexual? I could walk into the room with a man and a woman and engage in a little bit of tongue work to make it obvious that we’re sexual partners. “Ooh, look at those bisexuals”

Which leads me to #2:

2. TO BE IDENTIFIED BY OTHERS AS BISEXUAL, I’D HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE ME VISIBLE. I could come into the restaurant with 2 partners (1 on each arm?). Or be known to have 2 or more partners of various sexes; or leave someone for someone of a different sex, or get caught “cheating” on my partner with someone of a different sex, or talk about going to sex parties. Or kiss a girl at a party I’m attending with my boyfriend.

Or I could go on a talk show like Jerry Springer. But then, I’ve been turned down by a number of talk shows because they said I wasn’t bisexual enough. (laughter) I know, 33 years of service, but because I don’t have a boyfriend and a girlfriend, that’s the thanks I get.

Or I could be 17 years old, go to a party and make out with another girl, and they might see bisexual chicks making out.

And if you think about it, these examples mirror the most common stereotypes of bisexuality. And that’s not a coincidence. Because of this, many people equate bisexuals with promiscuity, with polyamory, cheating, deception, and untrustworthiness, with horniness. And by the way, I’m not saying bad about any of those things except dishonesty and cheating. Think about the prevailing stereotypes about bisexuals: that we are hypersexual; that we are bad relationship material and will leave our partners for someone else; that we are not to be trusted; that we are all involved with multiple partners.

Is it true that some bisexuals behave in ways that are consistent with some of these stereotypes? Of course it’s true. We run the gamit from asexual to a little bit sexual, to moderately sexual, to mega-multi-very-super-sexual. And that’s not a problem.

The fact is that some people in EVERY identity group run the same gamit. We are pretty much like everyone else in that we’re all different. But it’s only for us that our sexuality gets seen as causing supersexuality. Are there any gay men who are very, very sexual? Yes, I’ve met one or two. Any straight men? (laughter) But people don’t say, “Oh he’s straight, that’s why he’s that way.” (laughter)

Some of us are monogamous, some of us are polyamorous, and some of us are celibate. Just like everybody else. And I have nothing against monogamy, polyamory, or celibacy or any of the other –ogamies or –amories. In fact I’m totally pro-choice on this. I just don’t want to have my own identity group given full credit for any one particular behavior.

But it pisses me off that only for bisexuals is our sexual orientation seen to be causal or predictive of any of these behaviors. Bisexuals are just like everybody else. And I don’t mean that in an “oh, we’re normal kind of way.” I mean that – just like people in every other identity group, we run the gamit from outrageous to boring.

#3. EXISTING LINGUISTIC CONSTRUCTIONS REINFORCE BINARIES. (How’s that for academese?) This one is really simple. We love our binaries. Gay or straight. Black or white. Democrat or Republican. Man or Woman. These binaries are great for soundbites, if you only have one sentence. But each of these binaries obscures a whole lot of complexity.

Interestingly, I was just doing a speaking engagement where I used the political binary as an example. And I was thinking Democrat/ Republican. And I was thinking of the way in which this binary leaves out people who might be registered one way and vote the other. Then someone shouted out “Green Party.” And I thought, “Oh dear, it’s not even just that it’s a continuum, even if we spanned that entire continuum we’d still be leaving people out! And that’s true for a lot of our binary constructions. It’s not just that we things exist on a continuum, but that there are many different continua. So we have to be really careful that we don’t oversimplify everything.

#4. This one is “special”: the very mention of bisexuality often generates outright hostility, as though our existence is an annoyance or – even more – a challenge or threat to the social order. We are often perceived as a threat. You say you’re bisexual and people recoil as though you’re attacking them! I have a pin that says, “I act this way to piss you off.” Well, the reality is that I don’t. My identity is about ME.

#5. INTERESTINGLY, BISEXUALS FACE THE UNIQUE CHALLENGE OF HAVING TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE SAYING THAT WE DON’T EXIST. Sometimes I feel like a leprachaun, or a tooth fairy or something, popping around corners and surprising people. How many of you have ever heard someone say that bisexuals don’t exist? (all hands go up). I was hoping that none of you would raise your hands, but of course you all did. It’s really weird. And if you don’t believe me, I present you with a short quote from the usually fabulous Dr. Ruth:

"Everyone is either straight or gay," Westheimer wrote in a 2005 column. "Some people go through an in-between stage where they are perhaps not sure, but eventually they fall into one category or the other, so that there really is no such thing as being bisexual."

And she is someone whom I would like to respect. But I feel very disrespected by that statement. But mostly I feel defensive and irritated.

#6. And finally: All of the above factors result in A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF POSITIVE IMAGES OF BISEXUAL PEOPLE. How many bisexual people can you think of, fictional or real? Not many, I predict.

And most of the ones that come immediately to mind are people like Tila Tequila. I don’t know about you, but when I look at her, I don’t see a reflection of myself. And it’s not just that she is shorter than me. For many reasons, she doesn’t represent me.

WE HAVE SEVERAL CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF US.

One is to respond to the negative statements about bisexuals made by media stars – let me call them out – Michael Musto, Dan Savage, Dr. Ruth, Michael Bailey, Oprah – Oprah, who gets lesbian and gay people so well, but has a real resistance to seeing bisexuals. She’s said many things that are very dismissive. Interestingly, everyone I’ve mentioned has done other work that I really respect, but then they go and say these negative and dismissive things, and I just want to get them in a room for two days and educate them!

We face the challenge of challenging negative stereotypes and also of being proactive, of creating positive, affirming images of bisexuals.

I want to leave you with a question. When writing press releases, when blogging or reporting LGBT news, when creating sound bites, some activists and journalists often choose to use the simplest language possible, choosing terms that are easy to digest and also choosing to economize by choosing the shortest, simplest message. They do a little bit of polling to see what words are most digestible. But of course the result of this is often erasure. “Terms such as the gay community,” “gay marriage,” are examples this. Writing “gay marriage” is of course so much shorter and simpler than saying “marriage equality for same-sex couples.” And some people don’t like to use words like “same-sex marriage because it has what word in it? (sex!) Yes, sex. But I’m in a marriage that is not a gay marriage. In fact, our marriage doesn’t have its own sexual orientation and neither of us identify as gay. One of us identifies as bisexual, and one as a lesbian.

But think about what is being rendered invisible when we simplify. Sometimes one benefit has the unintended outcome of creating harm.

I often hear people talk about the value of simplicity in messaging, and of choosing language that resonates best with focus groups. I do understand the importance of doing research to find out what words “read” better. I’m on the board of MassEquality, Massachusetts’ statewide equality group, and we have used focus groups. When you’re in the middle of a battle, you want to get to a legislative victory. But it comes sometimes at great cost. But what to do if, for example, the phrase “the gay and lesbian community” tests slightly better than “the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community”? What to do if we learn that the more people respond positively to white, middle class professional-looking gay men and lesbians than they do to bi or trans people or to people of color or working class or poor people of any orientation? Do we then choose only easy-to-digest spokespeople? What’s the right thing to do? We know the answer. We need not to choose only easy to digest messages and easy to digest people.

Here I visualize a circle. When we choose simple language and images to make our reader or listener comfortable, we are maximizing our chances that we’ll get our legislative victory, and that we will be listened to and understood. But on the other hand, we are reinforcing a false simplicity and therefore perpetuating an illusion. The snake is swallowing its own tail. Until we step outside the circle, the frame will never change.

In all honesty, I believe that the challenges facing us will never be fully resolved, that we will need to keep on creating images of bisexual people and images of complexity, and challenging the sexual orientation binaries over and over and over again, reminding people that we exist. Binaries are like magnets, we are drawn to simplicity.

But I am willing to keep on doing this work, over and over, smashing and challenging binaries for as long as it takes, with as much patience as I can muster. We have to do this work because it matters. I once heard Raven Kaldera say “every time you draw a line it cuts through someone’s flesh.”

The flip side of this dynamic is that every time you challenge binaries, every time you insist that people use inclusive language and images, every time you make space for complexity, you are engaging in an act of healing,

You are expanding vision,

You are putting more oxygen into the room,

You are creating for yourself and for other people more space to be complex and complete.

So make a commitment to get out there and challenge binaries.

Think about what types of resources you wish were out there. Think about what would have made it easier for you. Think about what would have and does make it easier for you. And now get out there and create some more of that!

I’ll end by saying that my name is Robyn Ochs. I identify as bisexual, and I’m here to recruit YOU to challenge binaries.

Bisexual Poet Appointed Poet Laureate of Britain

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:18:14 GMT

Openly bisexual poet Carol Ann Duffy appointed Poet Laureate of Britain

Beside being the first openly bisexual poet to hold the post, she is also both the first woman and the first Scottish poet to do so. She is also an acclaimed playwright. Duffy is a single mother who lives with her 14 year old daughter Ella and has a pet spaniel. The post has been held by literary luminaries William Wordsworth and Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Duffy took the position on condition that she not be obligated to write poems for royal or state occasions, the original purpose of the post. And her first poem as laureate entitled "Politics" blasted parliament with a cutting commentary on the MPs' expenses scandal, in the form of a 14 line sonnet.

You can read more about her in the Daily Mail and Wikipedia. Schizophrenically, in both articles, she is referred to as both bisexual and lesbian. Probably because of a recent same-sex relationship.

Time Out NY article featuring Bi Summit

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:31:33 GMT

Illustration: Eward McGowan

Setting the record straight

Make way for Bi Visibility Weekend. [Time Out New York / Issue 713 : May 28–Jun 3, 2009]

By Beth Greenfield

We’re a full 40 years into the queer-rights struggle, and still bisexuals are getting bad raps from both the straight and gay worlds—most recently and publicly in an April blog post, “Ever Meet a Real Bisexual?” by Michael Musto. “I’m just wondering how real a phenomenon this is, as opposed to a smoke-and-mirrors cover-up designed to keep antsy gays in the closet,” he wrote, to the chagrin of bi readers everywhere. But this weekend, bisexuals strike back with a series of events at the Center being called the Bi Visibility Weekend, which includes a dinner, a brunch, a Bi Lines writers event with readings and performances, and “Putting the ‘B’ in LGBT Summit,” a daylong Saturday event of workshops and panel discussions.

“As bi activists, we’ve always been frustrated with the lack of visibility and the attitude that basically we don’t exist,” says event organizer Sheela Lambert. She adds that last year’s national discussion over the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act—which raised transgender awareness but forgot, somehow, to mention bisexuals—was the impetus for the event, which aims to educate journalists, improve visibility and debunk the many prevailing myths about bisexuality. Here, a preview of the mythbusting from some Summit speakers.

Myth No. 1 Bisexuals are fence-sitters
Debunked by Robyn Ochs, marriage activist and Bi Summit keynote speaker

“The fence exists only in our imagination. We’re all individual people with individual experiences, and the categories we create are artificial. The idea that there’s a wall between gay and straight is a myth.… I don’t think there’s any one person out there who can meet all of our needs, no matter what the gender. When I think about the things [my wife] Peg doesn’t do for me, it’s not about what’s between her legs. Gender is just one of the many, many, many things about a person.…But silly, silly humans love their binaries.”

Myth No. 2 Bisexual men are really gay
Debunked by Ron Suresha, bi activist and writer

“The notion that anyone is 100 percent anything is just not true. The scientific research categorically refutes that. That kind of assertion usually reflects a really narrow view of sexuality of the person speaking. Most bisexuals are really quite comfortable with both sexes over the course of their lifetime.… Still, people say, ‘Oh, you can’t be bisexual.’ I mean, people tell you that! It’s like telling you you can’t like chocolate and vanilla, that you have to choose. It’s a real narrow-mindedness.”

Myth No. 3 There’s no such thing as a bisexual
Debunked by Sheela Lambert, bi activist and writer

“If we don’t exist, does that mean we don’t have to pay taxes? People have a hard time imagining bisexuality because they don’t have those feelings. Maybe for a few weeks in their coming-out as gay they thought they might be bisexual, but that’s it. I think the problem is because of this binary thinking we get into—that everything has to be straight or gay, black or white, good or bad. I guess people have no imagination.… We are accused of being in the closet, but often, in the LGBT community, what people are in the closet about is being bi, because they want to fit in and they want to be taken seriously.”

Myth No. 4 Bisexuals will always cheat
Debunked by Dennis Slade, Bi Request organizer

“That one infuriates me. In gay relationships and in straight relationships, people are cheating all the time. Open communication is what’s going to sustain a relationship. When we as bisexuals own our sexuality, then we can talk about it, and a lot of these problems and worries will go away.”

Bi Visibility Weekend events are Sat 30 and Sun 31.

Link to article on Time Out NY http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/gay/74904/bi-visibility-weekend-in-new-york-city

Action alert: Tell Congress: Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:24:26 GMT

Action alert: Tell Congress: Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act!

Here are the two most compelling reasons to help fuel the fight to finally pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA):

1) In 38 states you can be fired from your job if you are transgender.
2) In 30 states you can be fired from your job if you are lesbian, gay or bisexual.

It's time to get involved: Click here to contact Congress and demand that LGBT people are protected from workplace discrimination.

This week, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) will introduce ENDA, and this time it's a bill that we can really get behind. The current bill would protect all workers from discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Just think about it: Right now employers in MOST states can take away the livelihood of you, or your friends, or your family members, simply because of who you are. This blatant denial of the rights of LGBT people is an affront to the United States' potential as the standard bearer for equality and a disgrace to every American. Congress needs to hear from all of us, and they need to hear from us now.

Every single person in the LGBT community has the right to protection from workplace discrimination.

Don't you agree?

Please take action right now, and then urge your friends, family and co-workers to act as well.

The above links will take you to the Task Force website where an email to your congressperson is all set up for you to sign. You can add anything you want so tell them you are bisexual and you need this law so you cant be fired for being bi!

Inclusive ENDA is introduced to House

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:05:05 GMT

Bi Writers Association Commends Lawmakers for Introduction of
Inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

Monday June 29, New York, NY – The Bi Writers Association applauds lawmakers today for introducing an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees from workplace discrimination. The bill, which enjoys bi-partisan support in Congress, would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal employment non-discrimination laws.

Last year much work was done to make sure that transgender people were included in the bill. Now we need to make sure the bill gets passed so that all LGBT Americans will be protected from job discrimination.

Currently, 12 states and more than 100 localities have LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination protections, covering nearly 40 percent of Americans. And, according to numerous surveys, large majorities of likely voters in the U.S. support federal employment non-discrimination laws to protect LGBT people. Polling data from 2006 shows that voters are more likely to support a candidate who votes for an LGBT discrimination law than they are to vote against.

At the National Summit on Putting the “B” in LGBT, openly bisexual speaker Meghan O’Connor told the story of how she was fired from her job, shortly after asking if she could bring her girlfriend to the company picnic (she was asked if she would like to invite a boyfriend) despite good performance revues.

The Bi Writers Association worked with many LGBT organizations in last year’s push for an inclusive ENDA by participating in United ENDA conference calls and sending out ENDA action alerts to the bi community while pushing for bi-inclusive language to be used in United ENDA action alerts and press releases.

“It’s of crucial importance, especially in a recession where jobs are scarce, to ensure that all employees have equal access to a fair and equitable workplace,” says Sheela Lambert, founder of the Bi Writers Association.

Bisexual on TV

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:27:00 GMT

Bisexuality on TV: This week

Peaches, a bisexual musician with "hermaphrodite envy" was on Carson Daly Friday nite singing to and interacting with various women on stage. http://peachesrocks.com/media/

Brooke Kisses a Girl: In the episode entitled, I Kissed a Girl, Brooke Hogan (Hulk Hogan's daughter) goes on a date with a girl and has a sexy good night kiss. Episode Summary from Brooke Knows Best website: After a flurry of disappointing dates, Brooke's roommate Glenn is frustrated with the state of his love life. Brooke makes a shocking suggestion -- maybe he should think about dating girls again. Glenn says it's not that easy to switch teams, and challenges Brooke to think of it the same way: how does she know she doesn't like girls? So all the roommates decide to date girls for a night to see how the other half lives.

The Unusuals: Two guy cops in bed. In the episode "The Apology Line," Det. Eddie Alvarez is frustrated because he was pranked by Det. Jason Walsh and is often teased by the other cops. He is advised by Det. Leo Banks that the fastest road to respect is to prank Jason right back. So one morning, after a drunken night with his girlfriend, Jason wakes up in bed with Eddie, who claims they had a night of passion. ABC is actually showing this clip right on their website http://abc.go.com/primetime/theunusuals/ or you can view it on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7UhY5atGcU .

President Barack Obama declares June LGBT Pride Month

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:03:17 GMT

President Barack Obama declares June LGBT Pride Month
His proclamation is 100% inclusive in every sentence and deserves to be reproduced here (see below.)

By contrast, Hillary declares Gay and Lesbian Pride Month on the State Dept website
1. Read her statement: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/06/124176.htm
2. Call or write: Tell her how she stumbled on inclusion and suggest she read the President's proclamation for an example of a fully inclusive statement http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Bisexual Book Library Donations Campaign

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:09:33 GMT

Announcing the Bi Writers Association
Bisexual Book Library Donations Campaign

The LGBT Community Center Library in New York City is one of the most influential and well used LGBT libraries. But their Bisexuality bookshelf was pitifully understocked with only a few (3 or 4) recent titles and a handful of dated titles. The Bi Writers Association is working with volunteer librarian Naomi McClernan to expand their collection. We have already collected and donated 20 of the best recently published bisexual books including donations from some of the authors who read at Bi Lines: Honor Moore, Ann Herendeen and Bobbie Geary. In addition, bi-themed novels and biographies already in the library have now been moved to the Bisexuality shelf, so every kind of bisexual book can easily be found there. (Additional copies will be shelved on bio and fiction shelves as well, so they can be found in either location.) So far, we have increased the number of books on the Bisexuality bookshelf by 200%. But there are still many important bi books missing and we need your help to round out their collection.

Donate Bisexual Books
If you have any bisexual books laying around your house you can donate (used or new), or would like to purchase bi books for the library, please contact the Bi Writers Association. We have a list of the bi books the library already has, can tell you what they still need and assist you in making the donation.

The Pat Parker/Vito Russo Center Library
Founded in 1991 to encourage and facilitate the reading and research of LGBT literature, the Pat Parker/Vito Russo Center library is an important community resource. More than 450 people visit each month to browse and borrow books and videos.

There are more than 20,000 circulating titles of fiction and nonfiction, both current and classic, making it New York's largest lending library of LGBT material. The video collection, named in honor of film professor Michael Janiak who died of AIDS in 1992, includes more than 1,500 circulating videos and DVDs by, about, or of interest to our community. Additionally, the library maintains subscriptions to more than 20 LGBT periodicals from throughout the United States. More info here: http://www.gaycenter.org/community/library

Bisexual Play at Fresh Fruit!

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:29:30 GMT

Dont miss this bisexual play by original Bisexual Women's Group member Suellen. Two nights only-mark your calendars!

Suellen Rubin in 2008

PERSEPHONE’S AUTUMN
by Suellen Rubin
An eternal story for the young: Meet, love, leave or stay for a while. Does it still work in late middle age? Past 60, do what's new? What do you do when your girlhood is in the last century? Therapy? An affair? These are the questions facing Damita, an aging bisexual woman searching for never-ending youth.
7:30 pm - Friday July 24, 2009
2:30 pm - Saturday, July 25, 2009
Admission: $20.
Hudson Guild Theater - 441 W. 26th Street (9-10 Ave), New York, NY 1001 (212-760-9800)
For Tickets: (212) 352-3101 / (866) 811-4111 / theatermania.com

For more Fresh Fruit Festival click here: http://www.freshfruitfestival.com/calendar.htm

Bi Summit Speeches Now Online!

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:52:25 GMT

Robyn Ochs                                      Exploding the Myths About Bisexuality Panel

Bi Summit Broadcast Now Online!

Excerpts from the National Summit on Putting the "B" in LGBT were broadcast Mon June 15 by the Out FM program on WBAI, preceded by an interview from Bi Writers Association founder Sheela Lambert. You can listen to the Sheela Lambert interview, a portion of Robyn Ochs keynote speech and excerpts from the Exploding the Myths About Bisexuality panel from Ron Suresha, Dennis Slade and Ignacio Rivera by clicking here: http://archive.wbai.org/files/xml/outfm.xml then click on June 15th. The bisexual segment starts about half-way through the broadcast. More segments will be broadcast in the following weeks on Mondays 11am or use the link to listen to the podcasts online. Thanks to Brad Taylor of Out FM and Barbara Fortune who took all these photos.


Sheela Lambert                                                Ron Suresha                                     Dennis Slade

Ignacio Rivera                                Peter Ruggiero

I'll be blown up and plastered to the side of a float!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:29:10 GMT

I'll be blown up and plastered to the side of a float!
By Sheela Lambert

I'll be marching in pride this year, whether I'm there or not. That's because a giant photo of me is being blown up and plastered to the side of the LGBT Center float in New York. So my signature fuscia pink dress and long red tresses will be representing bisexuality the whole length of the march, even though, because of my disability, I will only be marching part of the way.

The Center contacted me last week, asking me to volunteer to be photographed. Which I interpreted as an effort to represent bisexuality on their float, so had to say yes. So yesterday I went down the 162 blocks to the Center in the pouring rain with three outfit options. I asked the photo shoot manager, Shameek, and the photographer to pick my dress and jewelry for the shoot, so they could get the image they thought would look best. Being photogenic is no easy feat for someone who is almost the size of two models put together. But the photographer made me feel very comfortable and I managed to pull off a few looks he thought would be fab.

News Editor of Washington Blade gives tips for writing bi-inclusive news articles

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:30:51 GMT

Joshua Lynsen, News Editor of Washington Blade, sumarizes his presentation from the Crafting the Message practicum at the National Summit on Putting the "B" in LGBT on the Blade's Blog. Lynsen gives tips to reporters on how to write more acurate and inclusive articles and how to find bisexual sources.

Putting the "B" in LGBT

It’s interesting to note that the letters L, G, B and T are all part of the Washington Blade’s name. It’s also interesting to note that the only letter among those four that’s capitalized is the B.

In the three years I’ve worked at the Blade, I’ve worked hard to get the publication’s staff to remember the B. And I think we’re doing better now than we did three years ago. Sometimes the inclusion is overt, such as when we write about the unique challenges of coming out as bisexual. Other times the inclusion is passive, such as when we write about same-sex marriage rather than gay and lesbian marriage.

These steps are important, but too often skipped by media outlets. So when I was given the opportunity to speak May 30 on these issues at the Putting the “B” in LGBT national summit in New York, I happily accepted the invitation. And I’m glad I did, because my presentation seemed to resonate with everyone from National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association officials to a New York State Assembly member.

What did I say? Using excerpts from a guidebook edited by activist Sheela Lambert and some newspaper clippings, I concentrated on practical tips.

• Remember to include the B in LGBT issue coverage. Just like gays, lesbians and transgender people, bisexuals have faced job discrimination and been the victims of hate crimes. Don’t omit their stories.

• Having trouble finding bisexual voices for an article? Reach out to organizations such as BiNET USA, the Bi Writers Association or the American Institute of Bisexuality. Many willing speakers also are available at the more casual Bisexual.com.

• Carefully consider the terminology used in articles so as to maintain accuracy. New Hampshire’s governor didn’t sign this week a gay marriage bill — he signed a same-sex marriage bill. Pride month draws attention to LGBT issues, not just gay issues.

• On issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS, do not fuel the myth that bisexual men spread the disease. Men who are married to women and secretly have sex with men often identify as straight and would reject a bisexual identification. A term used by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, men who have sex with men, is better invoked in these instances.

• Never assume a person’s sexual orientation. Just because a man has a boyfriend doesn’t mean he’s gay. He could be bisexual. He might identify as queer. Ask him. Especially for reporters, an extra question is better than an embarrassing correction. Not sure how to phrase the question? Try this: In terms of sexual orientation, how do you identify?

• Readers shouldn’t be afraid to challenge newspapers that omit bisexuals in covering LGBT issues. Reach out to the reporter, an editor or even the publisher. Be friendly, fair, firm and challenge them to do better.

• Also, don’t hesitate to challenge LGBT organizations to adopt inclusive naming schemes. I called out the NLGJA during the summit for not having a more inclusive name. The group’s vice president said this week my concern is “a legitimate critique, which should be considered.” That’s a good response.

Near the presentation’s end, I made one final point. We strive at the Blade to know it all as soon as it happens, but we can’t do it alone. We need help in achieving that goal. So as I circulated copies of my business card, I asked the crowd to help keep me informed. Got a story tip? Tell me. Did we drop the ball on something? Tell me. Know someone who’s got a compelling story to share? Tell me.

If we work together, we can achieve within the Washington Blade’s pages the summit goal. We can put the B in LGBT.

Posted by Joshua Lynsen, News Editor | Jun. 4 at 4:57 PM | jlynsen@washblade.com

Permalink: http://www.washblade.com/blog/blog.cfm?blog_id=25646

Jesse Rosen, out bisexual writer/director/star of The Art of Being Straight

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:47:56 GMT

Interview with Jesse Rosen, on the art of making a bisexual film and his own personal coming out.
By Sheela Lambert

The Art of Being Straight-Synopsis

Twenty-three-year-old Jon (Jesse Rosen) has just moved to Los Angeles from New York, ostensibly "taking a break" from his longtime girlfriend. He moves in with college bro Andy (Jared Grey), whose pals' frat boy banter is riddled with homophobic humor and "that is so gay" a common phrase. Jon is hardly comfortable discussing his shifting Kinsien scale placement with them, and his new job as bottom-rung gofer at a major ad agency is fraught with sexual tension as a studly boss (Johnny Ray Rodriguez) barrages him with thinly veiled come-ons. Infamous among his buddies as a womanizer, Jon is more surprised than anyone when he ultimately falls for his boss’ seductive charms, which sends him spiraling into a world of sexual confusion. Meanwhile, he becomes re-acquainted with Madeleine (Rachel Castillo), a friend from college, who is involved with a woman but starts falling for her new next door neighbor...a man. Ultimately, each of the friends discovers that acceptance in modern American society is not as difficult as they thought, that social mores no longer dictate who we are and that each decision you make has a direct affect on your identity.

You went to school for writing, not directing. How did you pick up your directorial skills?

I did shoot about three short films to prepare. I studied film as a freshman in college, which first turned me on to people like Godard, but then they had to go and start putting numbers (apertures) on the board and I started to fail. I knew writing was where it all starts, and thought that’d be a better bet if I planned on passing classes. This is actually my first feature, so definitely a complete learning experience as far as skills are concerned.

Your plot reminds me of a song by Peter Allen called “Bi-Coastal.”

You used to live in New York City
Then you moved to L.A.

All those girls in TV movies
All those boys on Broadway
When you can't make up your mind
You know you'd go either way

Except in your film, the coasts are reversed: your character leaves a girl in New York and encounters a man in LA. Any connection?

No connection but that’s great. I was however, lucky to discover my old college roommate’s songs, Matt Studivan, aka The Musical Theatre, who provided most of the soundtrack.

You gave Jon the quality of being able to get any girl he wants. So you make it clear that being hard up isn’t the reason he sleeps with Paul.

It was important to me for Jon to be a regular guy, and maybe the slight envy of those who wouldn’t typically go near a film with gay sex, who then in turn, may then be more willing to stay on the ride Jon’s character takes.

We discover that Jon’s presumably straight sexual history up to this point hasn’t been quite as straight as it appears, when he confesses to Paul that he got drunk and fooled around with a guy back in high school. When did you first have feelings for guys?

I’ve always been more into women, but did have my first sexual experience with a close friend in high school and felt it important for Jon to have had this experience also. Otherwise, to me, it was less believable he may go as far with Paul as he does.

In college, I started to become more curious about guys, but somehow had been pigeon-holed as being straight, and either never felt like I had the opportunity, or just wasn’t attracted enough to any one particular man to make the effort. I’d fantasize, and then in reality, fantasy was always far superior.

When did you first come out to yourself as bisexual? Or whatever label you prefer.

The only labels I wish people had were name tags. Wouldn’t that be great?

Jon tells Maddy, his female friend who has a girlfriend, first, then comes out to his straight best friend. What was your coming out process like?

I told my dad I had experimented. We went for a drive and I had to convince him I wasn’t doing heroine. He was very cool, just told me to be safe… with sex, not heroine.

It’s interesting that Andy, Jon’s straight guy best friend and roommate doesn’t have much of a reaction to Jon telling him he had sex with a guy, even though he is your typical, somewhat homophobic, ex-frat boy. In your generation, has it become more of a non-issue? Are many straight guys who make comments like, “that is so gay,” when faced with an actual friend saying “I slept with a man” not that taken aback?

I’m not sure it’s a non-issue, certainly depending on place (I’ve seen some pretty homophobic responses to the trailer on the internet), but I think my generation can be very accepting of being gay. Just not much in between. You rarely hear anybody ask, “Is he/she bi?” If you have to ask, I think that’s a better question. The question, “Are they gay?” is one of the reasons I wanted to make the film. I think it says a lot about how are society views bisexuality.

Michael Stipe described his sexuality by explaining that for every 10 people he is attracted to, 7 are guys and 3 are girls. How about you?

Hm. Today? I’d say maybe 1 in 10 guys I’d be attracted to. The rest are girls.

Do you have a girlfriend? Boyfriend? Genderqueer-friend? Were they in the film?

An ex-girlfriend is in the film, the talented Anne Reeder (Simone), who has been a close friend since college. But no, single as they come… [Jesse lives in LA, so LA bi community hook him up!]

Your film got an art house theatrical release and is running on Here TV. Did those deals help you break even? Or is this film just an expensive resume for your next job?

Haha. No, but I’m happy to report I don’t owe anything on credit-cards!

Are you writing another script? What’s next for you?

I’m developing a father-son story I plan to shoot later this year.

The Bi Writers Association is sponsoring NewFest’s LGBT film fest screening of The Art of Being Straight on Wed June 10^th @ 10:30pm at the School of Visual Arts Theater on 23 St, 8-9 Ave in Manhattan.
THREE WAYS TO PURCHASE TICKETS

1. Online 24hours, at www.newfest.org
2. Phone line: 646.290.8136 open 2pm – 8pm
3. Walkup at SVA Theater Box Office

The Art of Being Straight is now playing at Quad Cinema on W. 13^th street in NYC and opens June 12th in LA @ The Laemmle Music Hall Theatre in Beverly Hills. Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Springs, and Columbus, Ohio to follow. Check your local LGBT film fest calendar. It’s also running on Here TV and Here on Demand.

Meet me at NewFest!

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:50:42 GMT

NewFest, New York's LGBT film fest is upon us and I've already seen 5 films with bisexual characters! I hope you can join me at some screenings. And there is the fabulous Logo Lounge right across the street with free spring water, booze and snacks. NewFest has moved to a new venue in Chelsea on 23 St between 8-9 Ave, the newly taken over SVA Theater. http://newfest.org/wordpress/

Here is a list of the films I will be seeing:

Sunday:

1pm Shorts Program: Women

3:15 Shorts Program: Men

9:30 Misconceptions

Monday:

5:15 Watercolors

10:15 No Way Out

Tuesday:

8pm An Englishman in New York

Wednesday:

3:30 Ghosted

8:15 PTown Diaries

10:30 The Art of Being Straight

The Bi Writers Association is sponsoring The Art of Being Straight by bisexual writer/director Jesse Rosen showing Wed June 10 @10:30-11:45pm. We'll be making a brief presentation before the film-come join us!

The Art of Being Straight

Narrative Features

(USA, 2008, 70 mins)

Digibeta

Directed By: Jesse Rosen bisexual director!

Bored with New York City, twenty-something Jon moves to Los Angeles to stay with his best friend Andy and his frat boy buddies. While working at an advertising firm Jon finds himself wondering why he's attracted to his older gay boss. As Jon attempts to untangle his complicated sexuality, his good friend Maddy puts her lesbian relationship in jeopardy when she finds herself attracted to a scruffy male hipster. Eschewing traditional notions of black-and-white sexuality, this mature piece represents the next generation of film with same-sex attraction.

Other upcoming films with bi themes/directors:

Short Film

Make A Mate

plays in Shorts - Women

Short Films

(USA, 2009, 3 mins)

NYC Premiere

Directed By: Jennifer Jordan Day

A woman (animated out of wire) finds a hidden store where she can make her mate.

No Way Out

Walang Kawala

Narrative Features

(Philippines, 2009, 97 mins)

In Tagalog with English subtitles

Directed By: Joel Lamangan

While his wife was abroad joaquin was having a steamy affair with a younger man named Waldo. Her return triggers a sequence of events resulting in Waldo running off to Manila. Hot on his trail, Joaquin discovers Waldo has become the latest missing person in a series of disappearances tied to a dangerous rogue cop and a notorious sex slavery ring. No Way Out has been referred to as the Philippines' Brokeback Mountain because it stars two well-known former teen heartthrobs.

Short Film

Nailing Jello

plays in Shorts - Men

Short Films

(USA, 2008, 13 mins)

NYC Premiere

Directed By: Jane Selle Morgan

When Alison's gay best friend ventures into bisexuality, she's confronted with her feelings towards him, and his toward her.

On Friday June 5 @ 8-9:30pm, Bi Women of All Colors sponsored Nonsense Revolution which had two bi characters plus the entire cast went pansexual while under the spell of a bisexual angel. Sponsorship means we get to give a presentation about our bisexual organization to the audience before the film starts. We dont get to see the films in advance but can guarantee they will get you talking!

Also on Friday was Drool, a black comedy that featured a housewife who falls in love with the new and beautiful next door neighbor. The housewife is identified as a bisexual character, not just through her arc from husband to girlfriend, but through her romantic fantasies.

The Comedy Shorts program on Saturday featured two shorts with bisexual characters: Queerer than Thou and A Day at the Beach ( A Day at the Beach could be interpreted more than one way, but I've got my interpretation and I'm sticking to it!)

If you see a film with bi themes or characters that I missed, let me know about it!

NLGJA blog RE:ACTs to Bi Summit

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:01:32 GMT

Crossposted from RE:ACT—the official blog of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)—article by Summit speaker and NLGJA Board Member Oriol Guttierez.

Putting the “B” in LGBT

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr.

The Bi Writers Association (BWA) on Saturday, May 30, hosted the inaugural National Summit on Putting the “B” in LGBT at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York City.

The all-day event was an impressive gathering of bisexual people and allies. Bi people from all walks of life were represented in the audience and on the panels, including activists, authors, journalists and politicians.

Sheela Lambert—founder of BWA and the event organizer—invited NLGJA to send a representative for the closing plenary and I gladly volunteered. I have always believed that all of us under the LGBT rainbow should be each others allies.

The event consisted of the following five panels:
Opening Plenary – Putting the “B” in LGBT
Bisexuality: Exploding the Myths
Community Panel: Telling Our Stories
Crafting the Message: How to Put the “B” in LGBT
Closing Plenary – Putting the “B” in LGBT: How Can We Do a Better Job?

The last two panels tackled the subject of fair and accurate coverage of bisexual people.

Joshua Lynsen of the Washington Blade led the Crafting the Message panel. He went through examples of good and not-so-good coverage. He also took us through the BWA media guide, which included interesting tips that would be more inclusive and accurate.

Tips included the suggestion of using “LGBT rights” versus “gay rights”; “same-sex marriage” versus “gay marriage”; “same-sex couples” versus “gay couples”; and other things such as not assuming someone’s sexual orientation based on the gender of his or her current partner.

Lynsen also called NLGJA out on the issue of our name not being as inclusive as it could be. Representatives from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force also shared in getting that criticism. It’s a legitimate critique, which should be considered.

A running theme throughout the day was countering the myth that bisexual people fuel the spread of HIV (i.e., the so-called “down low” phenomenon). As part of my talk during the closing plenary, I made sure to add my two cents to further dispel this myth. It’s one of the few instances that bisexual people are mentioned in the mainstream media, so it’s an important issue.

By the end of the event, I was genuinely moved. The personal stories that were shared throughout the day of the struggles of bisexual people sensitized me not just intellectually, but emotionally. I consider myself a progressive. But if I have room to grow on my understanding of bisexual people, then I suspect many of us have work to do on this front.

Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr. is currently the deputy editor of POZ magazine and POZ.com, both of which chronicle the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He also is the vice president of print and new media for the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association. Oriol has held various roles in his publishing career, including managing editor of DiversityInc, executive editor of Pet Business, business director of publications for the ASPCA and editor at large of LGNY (now known as Gay City News). Oriol was diagnosed with HIV in 1992. He wrote about his experiences coming out to his family first as gay and then years later as HIV-positive in the October 2008 issue of POZ. Please visit "Oriol's POZ Blog" at blogs.poz.com/oriol for more information.

RE:ACT—the official blog of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)—is a forum to discuss topics related to fair and accurate coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

Speeches from the Summit: Frank O'Connell, New York Times

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:27:41 GMT

Frank O'Connell of The New York Times: Opening Plenary Speech
National Summit on Putting the B in LGBT-Sat May 30

“Good afternoon everyone, I'm Frank O'Connell, and on behalf of The New York Times Company's GLBT & Allies Affinity Group, I'd like to welcome you all here to this, the first ever "Putting the 'B' in LGBT" Summit. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Sheela Lambert for all of her hard work in organizing this event, and tell you how proud we are to be a co-sponsor, along with The Task Force and Renna Communications.

At The New York Times Company, we believe strongly in the guiding principles of diversity and inclusion. Through our editorial page and our workplace policies, we have long been a strong supporter of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender rights and there are countless GLBT employees and allies at all levels of our company. Our core purpose is to enhance society through high quality journalism, and as such, we are honored to have been recognized for our coverage of GLBT issues and our commitment to fair treatment for all in the workplace.

For example, for the fifth consecutive year, we have received a Perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. Also, for the fifth time, GLAAD has recognized our coverage, by designating The Times for its media award. Earlier this month we were privileged to accept The Equality Forum's International Business leadership Award for 2009. And I'm especially pleased to mention that our own Ramon Johnson, who will be among the panelists speaking to you later this afternoon, was named "GLBT Person of the Year" for 2008 by GayAgenda.com.

Clearly, The New York Times Company is a strong supporter of the GLBT community. But even with that strong support, we, like most media organizations, have sometimes fallen short when it comes to including bisexual men and women in discussions of GLBT issues. This is especially important to me. I have identified as bisexual since 1972, and while I've seen vast improvements in the ways that gays and lesbians have been portrayed in the media during that time, sad to say, the bisexual community is still oftentimes ignored, marginalized and stereotyped. Even within the GLBT community itself, we often remain invisible. However, the very fact that The New York Times Company’s GLBT & Allies Affinity Group is co-sponsoring this landmark event is an indication of The Times’ commitment to thorough, accurate and fair coverage of this often overlooked segment of our community. Today’s Summit is an important step in realizing that goal.

Once again I'd like to welcome you all to the Summit, and thank you for coming.”

Frank O'Connell is an award-winning 3-D artist and information graphics editor who has worked for The New York Times for the past 18 years. His work focuses mainly on space, science and technology. Prior to coming to The Times, his artwork appeared in Newsweek, BusinessWeek and Fortune. He attended the First East Coast Conference on Bisexuality in 1984, and shortly thereafter went on to become one of the original members of the Boston Bisexual Men's Network. A member of The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, he is currently on the steering committee of The New York Times Company GLBT & Allies Affinity Group. Frank and his wife will be celebrating their 31st anniversary next month.

Speeches from the Summit: Robert Woodworth of NY LGBT Center

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:40:37 GMT

Robert Woodworth: Opening Plenary Speech
National Summit on Putting the B in LGBT-Sat May 30

Thought you might like to see this moving speech from Robert Woodworth of the LGBT Community Center that mentions long-time bi and LGBT activist, the late Brenda Howard and underscores the significance of the Summit:

"As we mark the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, I can’t help but reflect on community building and change. Stonewall is most remarkable in its use as a symbol, a marker for changes that were already brewing before the last weekend in June 1969. Stonewall became significant because people decided to create the Christopher Street Liberation Day March in 1970 and then to repeat it. Every year since, we have marched and mythologized the rebellion so that it has taken on a meaning greater than was evident as it was happening.

The most profound change of that time, it seems to me, is that we started telling a collective story. We moved from being isolated sodomites to having a common public narrative. Sodomy was till a crime, but we changed the story we told ourselves about our crime; we celebrated being outlaws. And most important of all, we told the story and celebrated in public.

I wasn’t in New York at the time of Stonewall, but in later years I came to know people who were part of the riots and the organizing that happened afterward. I’ve scanned the photos mounted in the corridor outside to see whom I recognize. One of the people, not surprisingly out and laughing in the middle of Washington Square Park, is Brenda Howard. Brenda brought her activist energy under a banner that at first had only one descriptor in it: gay. If Brenda were alive today, I’m certain she would be here as a fierce bi activist, and she would be marching with all of us in June under a banner that includes all the words: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender.

After years of organizing and prodding by some people in this room – Sheela can tell you stories – the Center changed its name in 2001 to include the words “Bisexual” and “Transgender”. Words used publicly – like “gay” in the early 70s and “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender” today – have the power to spark awareness as they are absorbed into the culture. But awareness is not true understanding. That comes with connection and dialogue. That’s why we need a Center where we all bump into each other day in and day out, and why we need this summit.

Like Stonewall, today’s event is not what makes a movement. What will matter is what happens over the years afterward, and I hope that in 20 years some of us will be around for an exhibit marking what you all start today.

I’m sure that Sheela Lambert and Ector Simpson are both proud and relieved that today has come. They and the others from the community and the Center who worked with them have created a moment. It is up to us to make the most of it. Best wishes on behalf of the Center for a powerful conference and new beginnings."

Robert A. Woodworth, Director of Meeting & Conference Services and Capital Projects began his association with the Center as a consultant in December 1983, just as the Center was negotiating with the City of New York to purchase a former school building at 208 West 13th Street. He became the Center’s first Building Manager in 1985, Deputy Director in 1989, Director of Institutional Services in 1998, and Director of Meeting & Conference Services and Capital Projects in 2006. In 1984 the Board of Directors elected him Secretary of the Corporation, a position to which he has been re-elected every year since.

The focus of Robert’s work has been operating the facility and making it available to the thousands of people who come to the Center’s programs and to the meetings and events held at the Center by hundreds of community organizations. A key component of the community organizing aspect of the Center’s mission is Center Happenings, the monthly calendar of events at the Center, which Robert edited and produced from 1987 to 2001. He was intimately involved in design and construction of the major renovation that concluded in 2001 and he oversees current capital projects totaling about $3 million.

Robert received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College, served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, studied city planning at Cornell University and worked as a city planner in Connecticut before coming to New York. In the city, Robert co-owned a retail business and worked as a paralegal before becoming a consultant to the Center. His early community involvement included the presidency of Greater Gotham Business Council and co-founding the Community Council of Lesbian and Gay Organizations, for which he served as secretary.

Bisexual Lammy Award Winner is Open by Jenny Block

Fri, 29 May 2009 16:40:21 GMT

Open by Jenny Block won the Bisexual Lammy Award last night. Jenny, who looked absolutely stunning, attended with her equally gorgeous girlfriend. You can meet Jenny Block and see her read from Open: Love, Sex and Life in an Open Marriage at Bi Lines: A Celebration of Bisexual Writing in Reading, Music and Theater, the Bi Writers Association's multi-arts event this Saturday at 8pm. For more on Bi Lines click here http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78471.html

For more on the National Summit on Putting the B in LGBT, also this Saturday 11-6:30 click here: http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78618.html

For more on all events of Bi Visibility Weekend including Dinner Honoring Bi Writers and Bi Pride Brunch click here: http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78162.html

Bisexual Films coming to an LGBT Film Fest near you!

Sat, 23 May 2009 10:43:15 GMT

Here are some films appearing at NewFest LGBT Film Festival in NYC (or an LGBT Film Festival near you) with bisexual characters and themes, according to their descriptions.

The Bi Writers Association will be sponsoring The Art of Being Straight by bisexual director Jesse Rosen showing Wed June 10 @10:30-11:45pm and Bi Women of All Colors will be sponsoring Nonsense Revolution which has two bi female characters and is showing Fri June 5 @ 8-9:30pm. Sponsorship means we get to give a presentation about our bisexual organization to the audience before the film starts. We dont get to see the films in advance but can guarantee they will get you talking! NewFest has moved to a new venue in Chelsea on 23 St between 8-9 Ave, the SVA Theater.

The Art of Being Straight

Narrative Features

(USA, 2008, 70 mins)

Digibeta

Directed By: Jesse Rosen bisexual director!

Nonsense Revolution

Narrative Features

(Canada, 2008, 88 mins)

Digibeta

US Premiere

Directed By: Ann Verrall

A close-knit group of teenaged friends are torn apart after the unexpected death of their bisexual friend, Caz. A year has passed since the accident and only one girl, Tess, also bisexual, is willing to talk about that tragic night. Caz suddenly reappears as an eternally-horny guardian angel, who only Tess can see and it's up to Tess to reunite the fractured group so Caz can move on in the afterlife.

Chica Busca Chica

Narrative Features

(Spain, 2008, 85 mins)

In Spanish with English subtitles

Digibeta

Directed By: Sonia Sebastian

This web series' luscious ladies, unabashed romanticism, and clever plot twists have won over the hearts of thousands of fans worldwide. Nines, who bartends at the local dyke bar, hops into bed with adorable Monica but flees when things get serious. Enter the ravishing, bi-curious Carmen, who mesmerizes Nines, but also happens to be Monica's roommate. And Carmen has a boyfriend. Is there any happy ending to a love triangle this complicated? Ladies, meet your newest guilty pleasure as a new feature-length edit of the massively popular web series jumps to a much bigger screen.

No Way Out

Walang Kawala

Narrative Features

(Philippines, 2009, 97 mins)

In Tagalog with English subtitles

Digibeta

Directed By: Joel Lamangan

Nailing Jello

Short Films

(USA, 2008, 13 mins)
plays in Shorts - Men

Digibeta

NYC Premiere

Directed By: Jane Selle Morgan

When Alison's gay best friend ventures into bisexuality, she's confronted with her feelings towards him, and his toward her.

*******

There will probably be more films with bi characters or bi themes than are on this list, since many "gay" or "lesbian" films turn out to be very bisexual, but it's hit or miss. Let us know if you see a bi film at one of this year's LGBT film fests that is not on thi list...we'd like to know about it!

Putting the "B" in LGBT Summit

Thu, 07 May 2009 18:51:53 GMT

The Bi Writers Association

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

Present

National Summit on

Putting the “B” in LGBT

Day/Time: Sat. May 30, 2009 11am-6:30pm

Place: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

Address: 208 W. 13 Street, 7-8 Ave, New York NY 10011

Admission: Free

Sponsors: The New York Times Company GLBT & Allies Affinity Group, Natl. Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Renna Communications

Registration: Go to http://www.gaycenter.org/node/3326

“Many people aren’t quite sure how the ‘B’ fits into LGBT,” says Bruce Anderson, Interim Executive Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center “as a result, mention of bisexual people often goes missing from discussion of LGBT rights issues like marriage equality, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and ENDA in press releases, media coverage and political speeches.”

“We want to marry our same-sex partners, want to stop getting kicked out of the military, need non-discrimination protection at work and hate crimes laws on the street… these issues are very important to the bi community,” says Sheela Lambert, Founder of the Bi Writers Association. “Accuracy of reporting on LGBT issues is compromised when bisexual people are left out of the equation,” Lambert points out.

By holding the summit, organizers hope to develop a consensus between LGBT rights organizations, journalists and political officials that inclusion of bisexual people in the discussion of LGBT issues is necessary. “This summit aims to give people the tools to understand and include the bi community more fully,” Lambert explains.

Keynote Speaker: Robyn Ochs (Editor of Getting Bi, Honoree of Natl. Gay & Lesbian Task Force, marriage activist.) Plenary and Panel Speakers: Chagmion Antoine (Correspondent for 365 Gay News on Logo), Cindi Creager (National News Director, GLAAD), Tom Duane (NY State Senator) Cynthia Frawley (Producer, Sirius Radio), Oriol Gutierrez (Board, Natl. Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assoc, Dep. Editor, POZ), Ramon Johnson (Gay Life Guide at New York Time's About.com), Micah Kellner (New York State Assembly Member), Sean Kennedy (former News & Features Editor, The Advocate), Sheela Lambert (Founder, Bi Writers Association, Denny Meyer (Public Affairs Officer, AVER: American Veterans for Equal Rights), Ann Northrop (Co-Anchor, Gay USA), Pauline Park (NYAGRA), Donna Redd (Founder, SiSTAH, Co-Founder Bi Women of All Colors), Cathy Renna (Managing Partner, Renna Communications), Ignacio Rivera, activist/performance artist, Lara Schwartz (Legal Director, HRC), Dennis Slade (Co-Organizer, BiRequest), Hawk Stone (Board Member, Natl. Gay & Lesbian Task Force), Ron Suresha (Editor of Kinsey from Zero to Sixty and Bi Men), Jay Venasco (Editor in Chief, 365 Gay.com) Robert Woodworth (Director, Meeting and Conference Services and Capitol Projects, The Center) More speakers TBA.

Program: Putting the “B” in LGBT Summit

11-12 Registration, Free Continental Breakfast & Shmooze

12-1:00 Opening Plenary

Putting the “B” in LGBT

Keynote Speaker: Robyn Ochs, Editor of Getting Bi, Honoree of The Gay and Lesbian Task Force and marriage equality activist.

1:15-2:00 Bisexuality: Exploding the Myths

Panel of experts will explode myths and stereotypes about bisexuality and explain the realities. Dont be afraid to ask questions!

2:00-2:30 Lunch & Networking

Inexpensive & healthy lunches will be available for purchase.

2:30-3:45 Bi Community Panel: Telling Our Stories

Panel of bi speakers discuss how LGBT rights issues such as Marriage Equality, Military Discrimination and Job Discrimination impact their lives. Q&A following presentation.

4:00-4:45 Crafting the Message: How to Put the “B” in LGBT

Practicum on putting the ‘B’ in LGBT in a press release, news story, policy paper, speech or interview on LGBT rights issues. How to report more accurately on bisexuality.

5:00-6:30 Closing Plenary Discussion

Putting the “B” in LGBT: How can we do a better job?

Roundtable discussion by distinguished LGBT rights activists, media professionals, political office holders and bi community activists. Audience participation welcomed.

About the Bi Writers Association

The Bi Writers Association works to dispel myths and stereotypes about bisexuality and is the foremost voice promoting bi writers, bi books and bisexual writing in America. BWA successfully campaigned for a Bisexual Book Award category at the Lammys (LGBT book awards) organizes readings, bi culture events, panels, summits and conferences. BWA provides a networking forum for bi writers, an online bi book club, a bi bookstore and Bidar blog: covering bisexuality in media arts & culture. BWA includes writers in all genres including journalism, essays, fiction, non-fiction, plays, poetry, TV and movie scripts, songwriting and erotica. Please visit www.biwriters.org

About the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, located at 208 West 13th Street in New York City, is the largest LGBT community center on the East Coast. More than 6,000 people visit the Center weekly and 300 groups meet there. More information is available at www.gaycenter.org

You can register for the Summit here: http://www.gaycenter.org/node/3326
Community Housing requests: info@biwriters.org

For more info on Bi Visibility Weekend click here: http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78162.html

Bi Lines II: A Celebration of Bisexual Writing in Reading, Music and Theater

Thu, 07 May 2009 18:33:42 GMT

The Bi Writers Association
Presents

Bi Lines II

A Celebration of Bisexual Writing

in Reading, Music and Theater

Date: Saturday May 30^th, 8:30-11PM

Admission: Free--Donations welcome

Location: NYC LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13^th Street, 7-8 Aves

Subways: ACEL123

8PM Doors open for refreshments, book & CD sales

8:30-11 Bi Lines II - Bi Culture Extravaganza!

Readings by Bisexual Book Award nominees for the

21^st Annual Lambda Literary Awards, and more bi authors:

Edmund White: Rimbaud: The Double Life of a Rebel, Honor Moore: Bishop’s Daughter, Jenny Block: Open, Ron Suresha: Kinsey Zero through Sixty, Christy C. Road: Bad Habits: A Love Story, Rachel Kramer Bussell: Crossdressing, Bobbie Geary: The Janeid,

Ann Herendeen: Pride/Prejudice

Slide show of illustrations from bisexual graphic novel Bad Habits: A Love Story.

Musical performances by songwriters:
Rob Barton, Louisa McBee Light, Rorie Kelly and Dan Manjovi

Scenes from bisexual one-woman play FLUID:
Written & performed by Erika Kate MacDonald

Co-sponsored by Lambda Literary Foundation

For more info on Bi Visibility Weekend click here: http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78162.html

Bi Visibility Weekend

Thu, 07 May 2009 18:15:01 GMT

The Bi Writers Association presents:

Bi Visibility Weekend

Saturday May 30

11am-6:30pm Putting the “B” in LGBT Summit

Keynote Speaker: Robyn Ochs

LGBT Community Center, 208 W 13 St., 7-8 Ave, New York NY 10011

This will be the single most influential event to date on putting the “B” in LGBT!

This Summit brings together bi activists, LGBT rights organizations, journalists, bloggers & political office holders to brainstorm about how to remedy persistent bi-invisibility in reports on LGBT rights issues. We also welcome anyone who would like to learn more about the myths and realities of bisexuality. Meet bi speakers who are married to a same-sex partner, have suffered military discrimination and job discrimination. Fantastic program and amazing roster of speakers!

Co-organized by The LGBT Center. Co-sponsored by Nat. Gay & Lesbian Task Force,

New York Times Company GLBT & Allies Affinity Group and Renna Communications

More info: http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78618.html
Registration: http://www.gaycenter.org/node/3326

6:30-8:15pm Dinner Honoring Bi Writers & Bis in Media

Vynl Restaurant-Chelsea, 102 8^th Ave @ 15 St, 2 blocks from LGBT Center

Enjoy a delicious dinner with an amazing group of bi writers, journalists &

broadcasters amongst the pop culture décor of this popular Chelsea hotspot.

All bi and bi-friendly people invited.

Menu: http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails?restaurantid=49591

RSVP to replytobiwriters@yahoo.com

8 -11:00pm

Bi Lines II: A Celebration of Bisexual Writing in Reading, Music & Theater

Readings by 2008 Bisexual Lammy Award nominees plus other bi book authors.

Live music by bi songwriters. Slide show of bisexual graphic novel illustrations.

Scenes from the bisexual play “Fluid.” A veritable Bi Culture Explosion!
Doors open at 8pm for bake sale, book & CD sales. 8:30 Bi Culture Extravaganza!

Co-sponsored by Lambda Literary Foundation and Bi Women of All Colors

LGBT Community Center, 208 W 13 St. 7-8 Ave, New York NY 10011

More info: http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78471.html

Sunday May 31

1-3pm Bi Pride Brunch

Backyard garden of East of Eighth Restaurant, 254 W. 23rd Street 7-8^th Ave

Celebrate Bi Pride in a Chelsea garden with bi speakers & attendees from the

Putting the “B” in LGBT Summit & Bi Lines! Enjoy delicious food by the

lovely fountain, flowers and fishpond.

Menu: http://www.eastofeighthny.com/

RSVP to replytobiwriters@yahoo.com

Stop Dr. Phil's biphobic show targeting teens!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:38:28 GMT

Teen pretending to be Bi-Sexual?

Is your teenager rebelling by pretending to be bi-sexual? Has your teen pretended to be bi-sexual because he/she thinks it's cool? Or has your teenage daughter pretended to be bi-sexual to attract boys?

That is the topic of a proposed episode of the Dr. Phil show they are still trying to find guests for.

Below is my letter to Dr. Phil on behalf of the Bi Writers Association. Please let him know how damaging and misleading this topic will be and encourage them to change it to something more educational to the public and helpful to teens and their parents! Action alert info is available here http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2009/04/dr-phil-show-teen-pretending-to-be.html .

Letter to Dr Phil sent through his website:

This may be one of the worst talk show topics on bisexuality we've ever seen. [FYI-you dont even know how to spell bisexual correctly--there is no hyphen. ]
Instead of encouraging parents to accept their teens' bisexuality and providing support to the teens, you are spreading the notion that bisexuality is just something people fake to rebel or get attention.

You should be educating people about bisexuality, not spreading myths. We would be happy to provide fact sheets on bisexuality for you or you can access them in the Media Guide on our website at http://www.biwriters.org/indexI.html . I suggest you read the Glossary and Myths & Realities of Bisexuality first. We can also provide expert speakers on the topic.

I came out as bisexual at 16 and am still bisexual at the age of 52. I assure you, I havent been faking it. Like many other bisexual people, I have the capacity to be romanitcally as well as sexually attracted to people of more than one gender, whether or not I am excercising it..

People realize they are bi at various stages of life. The teen years are a very typical time to first experience those feelings. Teens are testing out their sexual and romantic feelings to figure out who they are, what they feel, what they like and dont like and what they want out of a relationship. Childhood, college and post-divorce middle age are other typical life stages where people become aware of their bisexuality, although the middle agers usually had inklings earlier in life that they ignored or repressed during a marriage or intensive child-rearing period. And children of elementary school age dont have a label for it, they just experience the feelings.

Please scrap this dangerous show idea and formulate a bisexual topic that helps teens sort out their feelings and helps their parents accept their teens for who they are. Having the ability to love people of any gender is a gift, not something to be negatively sensationlized.

Sheela Lambert
Founder, Bi Writers Association

****************************************************

Thanks to Lani Kaahumanu, NYABN and Queers United for notifying us and providing info about this issue.