Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago
The Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago says, “the Chicago LGBT Community has been holding a space at the table for the Bisexual Community for a long time, we are stepping up to take our place at the table.”
Tracks
Chicago Bisexual Queer Meetup
The Chicago Bisexual Queer Meetup is a place for bisexuals to form community! We welcome all bisexuals of every gender that believe in Bi Pride, Visibility, and the importance of Community!
Come join the Meetup and become a fan of it’s Facebook Page. Lets build community!
Gay Chicago TV Tackles Bisexuality, Biphobia, and Bi Erasure: Nationally known Bisexual/LGBTQ activist Br. Michael C. Oboza of Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago appears on Critical Thinking hosted by Waymon Hudson to discuss the issues of biphobia, bisexual erasure and bisexual history in the LGBT movement.
Among his many credits Br. Michael is the 2011 Michael Page Lifetime Award winner from the Marin Foundation; is a member of the Legacy Walk Selection Committee of the Legacy Project; and founded the New Liaison for Bisexual Programs at the Center on Halsted in Chicago. The discussion looks at the issues that face the bisexual community from both anti-equality forces and from within the gay and lesbian communities.
Says Gay Chicago TV news presenter & columnist Waymon Hudson,
The very concept of bisexuality often finds itself trapped in a position of both invisibility and hypervisibility — despite the fact that bisexuals constitute the largest population within the LGBT community. Can you imagine the pain caused by not only being rejected and demeaned by anti-equality forces who call you “sinful” or “sick,” but also being rejected or told you don’t exist by the very community you are supposed to be part of?
In truth, how are these claims by some in the gay community any different than the homophobic rhetoric we fight against from the far-right about gays being a perversion or something than can be changed or prayed away. The truth is, they aren’t. Comments like “bisexuality is just a stop on the way to gay” can be as demeaning and damaging as calls of fag and dyke. These facts are underscored by the groundbreaking report from the San Francisco Human Rights Commission called “Bisexual Invisibility: Impacts and Recommendations.”
We cannot, as a community, be part of erasing a vital and thriving part of our movement and history. In the same fashion, simply throwing a “B” into the acronym LGBT isn’t enough— we have to celebrate, educate, and support bisexual people in our movement with true inclusion and visibility in all areas of our community. Having frank and honest discussions amongst ourselves like on this episode can help that process along.
Ignorance, close-mindedness, and refusal to accept others is what we are fighting AGAINST as LGBT people — we have to demand better of ourselves and be examples for others of what true acceptance looks like.
FRIEND? Yes! Lots in Chicagoland 4 Bisexual/Bi-friendly people
I WISH I HAD A GAY/BI FRIEND THATS LIKES ONE DIRECTION AND THAT LIVE BY ME(CHICAGO) BECAUSE I WOULD HANGOUT WITH HIM ALL DAY LONG.ME AND MY CUSING REALLY WANT TO MEET SOMEONE LIKE THAT. MAYBE I WILL ONE DAY.
You Are In Luck! Chicagoland has a welcoming, vibrant and very active Bisexual Community! Join these groups here:
(1) Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago: Facebook, Yahoo Group
(2) Chicago Bisexual Queer Meetup: Meetup, Facebook, TwitterSo go join up, make friends and have fun.
Attacks on Bisexuals in Media, ‘Captain Bisexual’ singled out at Chicago Pride By anti-LGBTQ Nuts
CHICAGO - June 29, 2012—You can’t imagine my surprise when I received an email late Friday night from Bro Michael Oboza—long time Bisexual activist in Chicago in distress, “Bisexuals Are Under Attack Now!” Regarding a very curious and biphobic article written by “Free Republic” called “’Captain Bisexual’ Marches in Chicago Pride Parade as Young Children Watch.”
Captain Bisexual a.k.a. Noel Spain, Founder of Bisexual Queer Meetup in Chicago Activist, and has started the very famous bisexual visibility superhero, with cape and passion for justice about four years ago at the Chicago Pride Parade.
Are Bisexuals Harmful to Kids as Role Models?
The Article goes on to say:
”Talk about marketing perversion and unhealthy behavior to kids: take a look at these photos of “Captain Bisexual” marching in Sunday’s Chicago homosexual “pride” parade. He is the child-friendly face of a group called Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago/ Click on the photos to enlarge them and notice the youth in the background.”
The Bisexual contingent started with Mr. Spain in Chicago, trying to make visibility for bisexuals possible.
Free Republic goes on to add:
“Even though it appeared the organizers had dialed down the more raunchy floats…..spectacles like (Captain Bisexual) this that were utterly inappropriate for Children. And yet, as you can see, many children looked on from the sidelines.”
As we know Chicago Pride has been bringing many more families from all walks of life in recent years to watch the festival, events and floats. ABC 7 News was quoted as saying, 2012 Chicago Pride was in fact record breaking in attendance. Clearly, the masses are accepting people being themselves. What’s different now?
Bisexual Male Visibility!
Captain Bisexual is a very kid-friendly character and no way is this costume seen in any way as inappropriate to children of any form. Is the issue more to do with visibility for the bisexual community and educating the public that bi’s exist? Why did this publication only single out bisexuals and not the other gay, lesbian and transgender participants in the parade? What is so scary that a friendly superhero of visibility and human rights for all, needed to be connected to harming children, in this now friendly family event in Chicago?
This isn’t the only story that has hit the bisexual community this month! Adele’s ex bisexual boyfriend and Johnny Depp Alleged new girlfriend has been highlighted all over the media with biphobia language—comments about bisexual men being liars, cheaters, bi women being whores and the like.
Here are some headlines in the media:
- Depp’s bisexual costar behind Paradise love split?
- Depp linked to bisexual actress
- Adele’s bisexual lover left her for a gay friend caused the trauma and heartbreak behind her music new book claims
- Adele Dumped By Bisexual Boyfriend - Biography Claims
Sadly, no other LGBT media has really covered this story but Advocate.com, (That I know of) as they try to bring more bisexual content to their media outlet. Sadly, the comments on their website were very negative regarding, “Why did we need to know about this [Adele] story. One person even stated, “There are no bisexual men” on Advocate.com.
Bi Social Network has long known that bisexual males and celebrities that come out of the closet, are being attacked on all fronts, because many are finally speaking out on existing! We need more, but as with any movement, the first can get hit a bit when trying to change perceptions.
Bi Talk Radio, Thursday, July 5
Bi Social Network will have a special Bi Talk Radio show Thursday, July 5. Times TBD. Check back for interviews and news on this story and what if any, the Chicago bisexual community is going to do about it?
Thoughts? Should the bisexual community protest? Should we get GLAAD or BiNetUSA involved? Please comment below!
***This is a breaking news story. We will update your on information as it comes available.
Disclaimer Note: Noel Spain is a friend and partner Bi Social Network and a key player for bisexual visibility in Chicago and has worked tirelessly to make a difference in our community. Go Captain Bisexual!
Chicagoland scores big time! The Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago (BQAC) and Chicago Bisexual Queer Meetup TOTALLY Rock Out Pride 2012
It’s Captain Bisexual! From Chicago’s Bisexual Queer Meetup
(Source: noelleagain)
Advice Columnist Smacks Down Biphobe: Dear Lady A: Skeptical about the B
DEAR LADY A: The people I know who claim they’re bi are attention-seeking and creepy. I honestly think, of the “bisexuals” I know, the guys are just gays who can’t emotionally handle being gay, and the women are trying to keep potential boyfriends interested with the promise of threesomes. Are actual bisexuals even real? If so, where are they hiding?
~~ Real Homo, Skeptical About The B in LGBT
DEAR DOUBTING HOMO: I’m not hiding and I’m bisexual, so your statement is really more about your own mistrust, isn’t it? It is the worst kind of queer self-sabotage to imply that a sexuality simply cannot be, because you can’t personally imagine it. It’s also ironic. Normally, I have a special contempt for assholes who attempt to inform me that my bisexuality is an urban myth promoted by terrified queens or an affectation I employ to impress my boyfriends. But I will try to exercise patience with you. I will even try to see it from your perspective for a moment.
To pretend like some haven’t used bisexuality as a “gateway drug” to gay or a boy-bewitching sexual tactic, would be disingenuous. Yes, there are folks who, for reasons including self-delusion, hipster trend-grubbing, or maybe just an attempt to earn better money at the stripper pole, might be bisexual pretenders. There are also straight pretenders and gay pretenders, but that doesn’t make you any less gay, does it, sir? And those gay pretenders, by the way, are sometimes boys and girls who love both boys and girls, but felt so unfairly judged by members of their own LGBT community that they actually went back into the bi closet by “picking a side.”
But for the most part, people who call themselves bi, flexible, curious or any other similar designation, are telling you the truth. You know how I know? Because it’s hard to be bi. Society immediately thinks the boys are lying and the girls are sluts, they’re queer but they’re not, they’re straight but they’re not, and they are generally just assigned the convenient homo or hetero sexuality that happens to coincide with their most current partner. They’re also some of the least supported queers in terms of organized help and education … And that’s not fun. So they must have a damned good reason (like the fact that they’ve realized they don’t give a fuck what you or society thinks they ought to be) for standing up and saying who they really are. Just like you had a damned good reason for telling the world who you really are, sir.
So, in answer to your question: Yes, bisexuals are real, and yes, they’re sometimes hiding in your ranks, and could possibly be one of your closest friends or lovers. Being fearful of something you don’t understand and can’t control is scary, isn’t it? On the bright side, now you know how homophobes feel.
I’m bi. No lie. Get used to it.
Lady A is a headmistress with an emphasis on head. She may even spank you. But only if you like that kind of thing. She can be found in the Chicago Phoenix, on Facebook, Twitter as well as all the best places to see and be seen (and sometimes even do), in Chicago.
When I see this reply this is what is see in my mind and out of my mouth comes, “GO GO BIIIISEXUAAL”. I’m a dork, I know lol
My first two responses
1. How hard would it be to make this outfit?
2. How ridiculous would I look wearing this?
obviously this person is not familiar with “Captain Bisexual” from the Chicago Pride March
PLEASE REPOST: Bi Interviews Needed ASAP - Ages 20s + 30s in Chicagoland Area
The bisexual media site I Am Visible says … .
A reporter for “Medill News Service” needs bisexual people ages 20s and 30s to do a short interview by THIS Friday May the 20th. Must live in Chicagoland Area.
Please email I Am Visible at visible (at) bisocialnetwork (dot) com with your name, telephone number and email. I will forward all info to the reporter. He doesn’t want his email out the net.
This will hit the wire for around 250,000 people for early next week.
Cheers,
I Am VisibleAbout the ‘I am Visible’ campaign:
* Mission: To showcase the true lives of bisexuals and bring to light, biphobia and bi-erasure—even if it’s within our own communities within the gay, lesbian and straight spectrum.
* Our goal is to: Share. Educate. Support. Organize. Show Community Pride.
* The ‘I am Visible’ campaign is about making a difference in the lives of the bisexual community.
Though we feel we are part of the gay, lesbian, transgender, and straight communities, we also know that there has been a high level of intolerance of late—particularly in our gay and lesbian communities in print, web, entertainment, politics and social media. We are here to tell our stories.
The ‘I am Visible’ campaign is run by Bi Social Network
help, help - People needed 4 Interviews by This Friday
