If no one gets the reference in the title, I'm going to be mildly upset.

If NO ONE - really, no one - gets the reference in the subtle picture changes on my blog, I might even cry. :D

Also, it's New Years Eve and I have some serious partaying to prepare for. There's no way in hell I'm going to be in any state to even blog tomorrow so I have *just* enough time to bitch about one nagging LGBTQ issue before I'm too rat-arsed to type :P

OK...

LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer. There are five letters; not two. The misconception that the LGBTQ is a "gays-only club" is an unfortunate one that I've always wanted countered. One thing that bugs me slightly when I think of active membership in the LGBTQ is the lack of trans and, more noticeably, bisexual students. Improving the representation of B/T students is one of my core manifesto promises, and as far as I'm aware we only have four active bisexual members; two of whom of are committee - one being me. :S

"B" history 101

Until about ten years ago, what are now LGBT/LGBTQ organisations were simple L+G societies. I know some of the old cats who were officers at Coventry, Bradford and Surrey when the "B" was introduced. There was a lot of resistance based on in-house discrimination of bisexual people from gay people - a lot more from gay men than lesbians.

The resistance was, at best, a minor problem which did not stop the movement. It was also to be expected, as is always the case when implementing any kind of radical change/progression. A few years later there was similar resistance from [what was then] the LGB community on the introduction of "T" for "transgendered" (later "trans"). As a consequence of this progression, LGBT is a highly recognised acronym on it's own in part of another (case in point: LGBTQ :p).

"Greedy"

Perhaps the most-well-used discriminatory buzzword used against bi people. It's not hard to derive the motivation behind the use of this term, but it presupposes that bisexual people are always "playing both fields", so to speak. That's not necessarily the case, but it's a touch nut to crack. Of course the lifestyles of some bisexual people may fit the stereotype but the same is true for gay people, straight people, men, women etc. and the respective stereotypes applied to those groups.

An expected ratio?

From my perspective as a self-defined male bisexual student - and that of many bi friends and colleagues - bisexuals are subjected to a great deal of peer pressure either encouraging them to "normalise" to straight or gay, or to maintain an equal ratio of male/female interaction. My housemate constantly reminds me of "the ratio"; for me this has yielded much hillarity and banter, but for a lot of people it's annoying and offputting.

The Cambridge dictionary presents the following definition of "bisexual":

That's the strict definition but it's thankfully quite vague. Bisexuality is diverse and comes in many forms: men more attracted to men than women and vice versa; women more attracted to men and vice versa; people who go through "preference phases"; people who couldn't tell who they're more attracted to either way, etc etc. One could argue that everyone is bisexual to a certain degree, but many prefer to accept monosexuality as a simpler definition.

So what can be done?

Clearly, there are quite a lot of issues faced by bisexual students; indeed, bisexual people as a whole. I'm going to start a bi awareness campaign in the new term to tackle these issues and see if we can't improve bi involvement in the LGBTQ.

Trans inclusion

The few trans members of the LGBTQ have told me that trans inclusion and representation in the LGBTQ has improved this year. The Vigil held for TDOR was fairly well attended and it was fitting given the nature of the event. I was actually really grateful to hear that as I was becoming concerned that we hadn't done enough to promote trans inclusion.

There are more upcoming events and better support to promote trans inclusion; Jane from University E&D contacted me recently to see what we can do to improve student life for trans students, and history month will focus on trans history and issues as much as it will LGB. I welcome discussion with trans students to help develop trans inclusion in the Guild.

The various bi and trans issues will be tackled in campaigns next term. More specific plans will be revealed over the weekend and early next week. Until then, Happy New Year to you all; enjoy whatever partaying plans you may have for this evening ;)