Why Bi Conferences are Important

Jan.07.2010

from Penn Points by Denise Penn originally published in June 2004

“Conferences” — what image does this word conger up? Some of us who have to attend professional conferences groan at the thought of long speeches and rubber chicken lunches while we “network” with others in our field. But bisexual conferences are so much more than that.

Some bisexuals live in areas with well-established social, political and support networks such as Boston, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles, [ed note: as well as New York, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois and others]. But for those of us who live in areas where there are no groups, a bisexual conference may be the only place to actually meet other bisexuals. They are a wonderful opportunity for artistic and academic collaboration, networking, and sharing ideas and resources.

For example, in the early nineties I was at The Bi-West Conference, a bi conference held in San Diego. At lunch I was surprised to discover that there were several people there from Orange County. Each of us had experienced feelings of isolation and come to the conference to meet others, but never imagined that we would find people who lived close to us. We shared ideas, and decided to start a support network in our own community. Part of the reason this is so important for bisexuals is because of the issue of visibility; even bisexuals who are active in LGBT groups are defined by the gender of their partner or person they are currently dating.

Another important aspect of bisexual conferences is that the events, workshops and sessions go beyond education and networking: a bisexual conference is a place where bisexual culture is defined and celebrated. BiNet Los Angeles the first ever “anti-conference” — BAFFLED (Bisexual Arts, Film Festival, Literature, Entertainment and Drama) in the late nineties. The anti-conference avoided the typical mundane activities. A special commemoration for Andy Dick and author/adult entertainer Rev. Geoffrey Karen Dior was included, as well as a performance from bisexual comedian Michael Dane.

Since 1991, International Conferences on Bisexuality have been held in all parts of the world, giving this conference an international flavor. The First International Conference On Bisexuality was held in 1991 in Amsterdam. Dr. Fritz Klein was living there at the time and envisioned more than a small local conference. The attendance was 250, which was incredible for a first-time event.

The second international conference took place the following year in London, and since then there has been an international conference every other year. In 1994 New York was the host, followed by Berlin in 1996. In 1998, Boston held the most successful to date, with over 900 people attending Held at Harvard University, it featured more than a hundred workshops. In 2000 the conference took place in Manchester and in 2002 it moved to Sydney, Australia where it was held during their famous annual Gay and Lesbian Marti Gras celebration coinciding with the Gay Games.

The upcoming 8th International Conference on Bisexuality will be held in the Twin Cities this August. Activist and author Makoto Hibino will present a keynote address. Makoto has been a bi activist since 1995 and is now living as an MtX transgender. In 1999 Makoto published “To Be and/or Not to Be Bisexual,” which is a groundbreaking book in Japan. Makoto is now a staff member of the small mix group (projectQ) in Kyoto that advocates against the binary gender system.

Also speaking: Luigi Ferrer, Case Manager Supervisor at Union Positiva, Miami’s Latino AIDS service organization in Little Havana. He is a nationally recognized AIDS activist and health care consultant, and is a former Board Member of the National Association of People With AIDS and the AIDS Action Council in Washington, DC. He is currently vice-president of BiNet USA.

Psychologist Dr.Margaret Charmoli will be speaking to the conference. She has appeared on radio and currently co-hosts Bi Cities, a Twin Cities cable television program about bisexuality, with her life partner, Dr. Anita Kozan She serves as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on substance abuse treatment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. She is a past president of the Minnesota Psychological Association and has worked with Division 44 of the APA educating and advocating for lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues in APA and within psychology and developing programming on bisexual issues as well as resources on bisexual issues in psychology.

The Bisexual Organizing Project based in Minneapolis-St. Paul and the American Institute of Bisexuality (AIB) are proud to sponsor this event hosted by GLBT Programs Office at the University of Minnesota. The Bi Men Network will offer up to 10 full scholarships for bisexual men to attend this conference. With the Bi Men Network as a partner, more bisexuals will have access to this opportunity. The conference takes place August 5-8, 2004.