- Conference
- 2024 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 18 July 2024
- Decision
- Carried
In UNISON we use the term bisexual plus (bi+) because we acknowledge that being bisexual can be a fluid identity that is not always binary in nature; we reject that we must have ‘two’ sides or that we must be involved simultaneously with ‘both genders’ to be fulfilled human beings. In fact, we do not assume that there are only two genders.
We challenge that our fluidity is based in confusion, irresponsibility, or an inability to commit. We do not equate promiscuity, infidelity, or unsafe sexual behaviour with bisexuality. Those are human traits that cross all sexual orientations.
We are also strongly committed to recognising all those who identify under the umbrella term of bi+, including but not restricted to, those who identify as queer, asexual, pansexual, omnisexual, polysexual, aromantic, panromantic, or questioning.
34 years after the publication of the Bisexual Manifesto, bisexuality remains misunderstood and stigmatised within many of our workplaces. For example:
1)Stockport Council’s EDI survey in 2024 indicated that 18% of bisexual colleagues have felt personally discriminated by other colleagues in the last 12 months
2)Stonewall Scotland 2020 reported that one in five bi people (20%) are out to all their family compared to three in five gay men and lesbians
3)Stonewall Scotland reported in 2023 that two in five bi people (42%) hide or disguise their sexual orientation at work for fear of discrimination going on to say “Bisexual adults report poorer physical and mental health outcomes compared to any other sexuality.”
Experiences shared by bi+ UNISON members suggest that invasive and inappropriate questioning, bi-erasure and bi+phobia persist within workplaces and sometimes within UNISON itself.
Conference therefore calls upon the national LGBT+ committee to:
A)Commit to recognising and tackling the unique experiences of discrimination and stigma that continues to be faced by bi+ members
B)Support development of training resources and promotion of bi+ allyship schemes
C)Formally recognise and mark international key dates in the LGBT+ calendar e.g. Bisexual Awareness Week, Bi Visibility Week, Bisexual Health Awareness Week.