Through my many experiences observing or personally dealing with those who are vehemently opposed to the advancement and acceptance of the LGBTI community and, to the same extent, bi individuals like me, I have found one of their greatest fears is thinking members of our community have some sort of unifying doctrine; a set of goals that we as a group establish and dedicate our time, energy, and resources into accomplishing. They will venomously throw around terms like the “LGBTI Agenda” as if it is chock-full of evil, depraved objectives instead of ideas that have the potential to help countless individuals lacking the confidence, understanding, or support to be their true selves.
Though I have written consistently about my experiences as a bi man for a little over four years, I have never sat down to list out my own agenda as a member of the bi community. However, after thinking it over, having a list of clear goals will not only serve as a great personal motivator but will also make my motivations clear to those curious about what I value and am working towards achieving. Of course, this list is personal and does not represent the goals of the bi or LGBTI communities overall.
Instead, it is a set of points that are important to me, which I think could be helpful to other members of my community as they look for motivation. It also has the added bonus of lightheartedly playing upon the fears of those who set themselves against the principles of equality, inclusion, and diversity.
So, without further ado, these are the goals I am dedicated to as a bi man and, come hell or high water, I will work tirelessly to see them through to the end.
Elevate and advocate for the bi community.
Even after four years of doing this work, I am still shocked at the lack of acceptance of bisexuality, especially within the LGBTI community. In a group where we have all undoubtedly experienced issues with tolerance, it is particularly hard to be judged and ostracized. I will never stop challenging the ignorant and dismissive perceptions of bi individuals, even though, in my experience, the oppressors within the LGBTI community are just as, if not more, aggressive and intolerant as those who fall outside of it.
Fight for the visibility and acceptance of the entire LGBTI community.
I will always fight for the LGBTI community as a whole, with the caveat of being wholly transparent about the issues plaguing the community within, such as racism, body shaming, and more.
Support the identities, validity, and advancement of the TGNB community.
Continue to educate myself on the Transgender and Gender Non-Binary (TGBN) community and provide support, elevation, and partnership whenever and however I can.
Highlight, address and attempt to develop solutions on how the LGBTI community can reduce and eliminate racism.
This means being a part of difficult conversations, accepting there are experiences and situations I can never fully understand as a white, cisgender man, and taking a back seat to listen and learn while doing what I can to elevate the voices that need to be heard.
Celebrate all body types.
Healthy looks different on each person, and all body types are beautiful, unique, and worthy of celebration.
Push for LGBTI education in public schools and support its inclusion in history, sexual education, literature, and all relevant subjects.
By eliminating or omitting contributions from the LGBTI community on these topics, educators take away an LGBTI student’s ability to see themselves represented in the change-makers of the world. It is hard to believe you can be one of these history-makers if you don’t have any representation to look up to.
Move past performative activism and see what concrete actions can be taken to facilitate real, meaningful, and lasting change both within and outside of the LGBTI community.
Social media is an excellent tool, but shares and likes can only advance a movement so far. Ask yourself, “What am I doing to make legitimate changes in the world?” There are numerous small, real-world actions one can take to contribute to positive changes within a local community, as well as at state and national levels.
Advocate for religious freedom for all communities while encouraging the separation of church and state.
All religions deserve the opportunity to reflect, pray, and gather in peace and safety in their places of worship. However, in my opinion, none of them have the right to dictate the law of the land based on their religious doctrines.
Push for advancements in healthcare, law, education, and policy that support LGBTI individuals
Outside of societal standards, LGBTI resources in the areas of healthcare, law, education, and policy are severely lacking compared to those of the heterosexual community. As such, it is important to weigh in and highlight equity and access issues in these spaces when the opportunities arise.
Continue to educate myself about issues within the bi and LGBTI communities
Though I absolutely consider myself to be an expert regarding my own journey as a bi man, I also understand that my experiences as a bi individual and member of the LGBTI community are not universal. To be a true advocate, one must keep an open mind and seek out new perspectives in order to learn, grow and provide true support to the community.
As I continue to evolve as a bi man, writer, and advocate, I expect this list to grow longer as I connect with more people and learn about their experiences and goals. I believe that as long as I stick to these core tenants, I can keep my mind focused and motivated on what I truly love to do: making the world a better place for people like me.
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