This weekend’s National Union of Students LGBT conference includes one bi motion on its agenda, on recent reporting in Diva magazine about bisexuals dating lesbians.
The motion reads:
Motion 504 I’m not bi-curious, I’m bi-furious!
Conference Notes:
1. Diva magazine is the only monthly glossy newsstand magazine for lesbians and bi women in the UK. Its facebook page expressly says one of its aims is “to encourage lesbians and bi women to feel happy and positive about their sexuality”.
2. Diva magazine invited comment on its facebook wall asking the following question:
“I am writing an article for DIVA magazine about why some lesbians avoid dating bi women and the reasons for their decision. I am interested in hearing from lesbians and bi women who are willing to share their dating experiences and opinions with me. You are welcome to use a pseudonym if you like. This is not a generalised article about biphobia, but looks at the specific choice some women make to exclude bisexuals from their “dating pool”. My aim is to explore an issue that continues to provoke strong feelings within our community in an objective way, and to understand why this is so.”
3. This topic elicited a stream of comments, many of which were extremely biphobic and maintained that bisexual women who slept with men were contaminated, that bisexuality is just a phase and that bisexual women eventually return to men because it is an easier lifestyle.
Conference Believes:
1. Biphobia is hurtful and wrong wheresoever it occurs but even more so when it comes from within a community that is meant to include and embrace bisexuality.
2. Negative stereotypes of bi women remain prevalent in the media and in the LGBT community.
3. Bi women are a valuable and active group in LGBT communities which should be the first place to go for comfort and to liberate oneself.
4. Despite Diva magazine’s admirable statement of inclusivity, more needs to be done by them to counteract negative stereotypes of bi women, who are a core part of their readership.
5. Although it is not Diva magazine’s job to police their readers’ opinions, when such biphobia is being voiced on their turf it is clear that they have a duty to reinforce their commitment to inclusivity.
6. Bi men are subject to similar discrimination in gay male media and communities.
Conference Resolves:
1. To contact Diva magazine encouraging them to include more content about bi women, and to actively counter negative stereotypes.
2. To do the equivalent for magazines catering for MSM where appropriate.
3. To continue to challenge biphobia wheresoever it is found.
Whether the motion is taken will depend on a priorities ballot.
We note that other queer magazines are available with more reliably bi-positive reporting!
