September 20, 2022
Help Us Celebrate Bisexual Awareness Week, September 16–23
Started in 2014 by GLAAD And BiNet, #BiWeek respects and celebrates the visibility of the bisexual Qmmunity. Join Rainbow Connections ATX (RCATX), Family Eldercare’s soon-to-launch program supporting LGBTQIA2+ older people, in recognizing the bisexual Qmmunity in Central Texas as a vibrant and unique part of our state. This Qmmunity faces ongoing challenges with biphobia and discriminatory policies.
RCATX sees and is here to support the bisexual Qmmunity, this week and every day.
According to Gallup, the number of LGBTQIA2+ U.S. adults has doubled since 2012 to more than 7% (roughly 18 million people), and 57% identified as bisexual – now the most common LGBTQIA2+ identity. There may be millions of people in the bisexual Qmmunity, but many do not know what that term means. The organization Still Bisexual defines bisexual as, “a person who can be emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender, or gender identity.” Their attraction is fluid and can fluctuate over time.
These are some of the challenges the bisexual Qmmunity faces:
The Bisexual Resource Center reports that bisexuals suffer from higher rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm than their hetero, lesbian, or gay counterparts. Some of the reasons include biphobia/bi+ antagonism and bi invisibility. We all have inherent biases, which are assumptions that distort how we understand the world around us. If left unchecked, biases can evolve into fear, hatred, and discrimination or biphobia. Bi invisibility leads to harmful assumptions or refusing to accept that bisexuality even exists. It can lead to isolation and feelings of worthlessness. Biphobia and bi invisibility also exist within the LGBTQIA2+ Qmmunity. We all must do better when it comes to acceptance, love, and inclusivity.
Health care in the LGBTQIA2+ Qmmunity can be challenging, especially if you have already been rejected by family, friends, and/or your Qmmunity. It might be scary to look for LGBTQIA2+ affirming health care providers. According to a 2010 Sage report, bisexual and lesbian women are less likely than their hetero counterparts to receive routine care like mammograms. Cultural competency training is making the rounds, but we have a long way to go to gain the trust of the LGBTQIA2+ Qmmunity when it comes to equitable health care access and services.
Let’s start by connecting through RCATX. We celebrate and honor all LGBTQIA2+ members of our Qmmunity and invite you to get to know us. We have services, resources, and events throughout the year for ages 18-110.
RCATX is your rainbow portal to all the programs available at Family Eldercare:
Our Health & Wellness programs include Lifetime Connections without Walls, a virtual group activities program for older adults. This group offers sessions on a variety of topics, including LGBTQIA2+ issues. Registration is free and open to older adults ages 55+ in the U.S.
We’re excited to continue our monthly Zoom Tea Social and many in-person events in the greater Austin area – everything from free museum tours to potlucks. Stay connected to RCATX by regularly visiting our calendar of events. Also, never miss an event by joining our MeetUp page.
RCATX wants to hear from you! If you are part of the greater Austin area bisexual Qmmunity, we invite you to send RCATX an email. Our social media channels will be live in October, so please check back. We are ready to meet you.
