Proud to be an LGBTQIA+ Inclusive University
LGBTQIA+ is an acronym used to signify Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual people collectively.
Our language evolves as our understanding of ourselves evolves.
Bi Visibility Day
Bi Visibility Day is a day to recognise the bisexual community and celebrate bisexual people around the world. It takes place annually on 23rd September.
Bisexuality(commonly abbreviated to “bi”) is a sexual orientation. Bi people have the “potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.” (Bisexual Advocate Robyn Ochs, The Trevor Project).
Queer is a term used by those wanting to reject specific labels of romantic orientation, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Although some LGBT people view the word as a slur, it was reclaimed in the late 80s by the queer community who have embraced it.
For more information on terminology, please check out Stonewall’s Glossary.
The importance of marking this day
Bi people are often referred to as the ‘forgotten part of the LGBTQIA+ community’ and acronym, and have to cope with a number of negative stereotypes: “Bi people are three times less likely than gay men and lesbians to be out to all of their family.”(Stonewall)
The issues bi people face, which may be different to their lesbian and gay peers, can also have a huge impact on their lives meaning they feel unable to be themselves, even amongst their friends and family.
The day is an opportunity to learn about bisexual erasure and discover the challenges that many members of the bisexual community face. Often there can be an assumption that sexuality is binary – either you’re straight or you’re gay. This can even come from within the Queer community itself, including from partners of Bi people.
Further Help and Support
If anyone would like any help or support around coming out or being out at work, please get in touch with any of the support groups below:
Staff
- The Rainbow Network Co-Chairs.
- Employee Assistance Programme, Telus Health - a fully integrated wellbeing platform that will give everyone access to counselling and wellbeing assistance.
Students
- The Student Wellbeing website provides online resources and self-help tools, as well as information about specialist support.
- Students’ Union Wellbeing Officer.
- Student Minds Coming Out LGBTQ+ Resources.
- Students’ Union LGBTQ+ Society.
Staff and students
- LGBT Foundation ‘Coming out’.
- Naz & Matt Foundation empowers LGBTQI+ individuals, their friends and family to work towards resolving challenges linked to sexuality/gender identity, particularly where religion is heavily influencing the situation. Check out their ‘Coming Out’ Posts.
- The Proud Trust ‘Coming out’.
- The Trevor Project’s ‘Coming Out Handbook’.
#ManMetProud
At Manchester Met, we are proud of our diversity and have made a commitment in our Great Place to Work and Inclusive and Diverse Culture Strategies to celebrate and strengthen the sense of community and belonging for everyone at our University. Take a look at some of the stories of our bi community: Eleanor, Jake, Jenny and Lily and their suggestions on how we can foster an inclusive environment and build allyship.
Our Stories
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Eleanor Hynes (She/Her)
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Jake Harding (He/Him) MAUA MSci PGCE
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Jenny Rydzkowski (She/Her)
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Lily Skourides (She/Her)
My advice to allies is that allyship is not exclusive to straight people. Despite being a part of the LGBTQI community, there is still so much allyship needed from our Gay and Lesbian peers especially. A study by Stonewall suggested that more than one in four Bi women have experienced exclusion within LGBT spaces compared to the 9% of Lesbians and 4% of Gay Men.
Biphobia is “a prejudice against bisexual people”* and I have personally experienced this both from within and outside of the queer community.
One of the biggest challenges that I face in the workplace is the assumption that I’m straight. It puts the onus on me to correct people and I don’t always feel comfortable doing it, although I’m trying to do it more and more.
To me, queerness is within my history, my experiences, all the past, present, and future versions of me. International Bi-Visibility Day allows me to show and be proud of my multifaceted identity and all versions of me.
How you can help
The day is a call for change in the way many members of the bisexual community are treated.Manchester Pride
Manchester Metropolitan University is in a joint entry with other universities celebrating diversity and equality in our city as part of the Manchester Pride Parade 2023 on Saturday 26 August. In a show of Higher Education unity, we will be joined by friends and colleagues from The University of Manchester, Salford University, The University of Law, Royal Northern College of Music, and The University of Bolton.
The Parade’s theme is ‘Queerly Beloved” highlighting the power of love and rejoicing 10 years of marriage equality, whilst questioning: How far have we come?
It's a celebration of love, community, self-expression, and the transformative power of dance. Love is powerful! Acts of love and kindness, for ourselves and one another, has the power to resist hate against our communities and drive real change as we strive for LGBTQ+ liberation.
Every year, tens of thousands of spectators fill the streets to join the parade and enjoy the brightly decorated floats as they weave their way throughout the heart of Manchester’s city centre in support of LGBTQI+ communities.
Manchester Metropolitan is #McrMetProud of its diverse community of staff, students and alumni. We’re looking forward to taking part in the Manchester Pride Parade again. We hope everyone will get involved and show their support.
The University’s Pride Co-ordinator Craig Johnson said: “I’m so excited for Manchester Pride - I’ve attended so many over the past 20 years. It’s a joyous and fun celebration of the rights of LGBTQI+ people filled with an amazing atmosphere of so many activities.
“This event is a real response in protest to society’s negative attitudes and behaviours towards our queer community, not just in the UK but around the world. Therefore, I’m delighted that Manchester Met embraces and champions its LGBTQIA+ community and is fully behind our Pride parade entry, it means so much! Don’t miss out – join in!”
The Parade is one of the much-loved elements of the fully inclusive Manchester Pride Festival, which takes place on August Bank Holiday weekend (25-28 Aug 2023). There’s so many ways to celebrate LGBTQI+ life throughout this award-winning weekend, including live music and entertainment, Family Pride MCR, and the Candlelight Vigil on 29 August 9pm.
Everything you need to know about the day, including accessibility, is on the Manchester Pride Festival page but if you have any questions or even ideas on how we can celebrate #McrMetProud on the day – we would love to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing equalities@mmu.ac.uk.
So what are you waiting for?
Buy Pride Festival tickets here to support us in celebrating Manchester’s LGBTQI+ community and party in style.
If you can’t attend the parade in person, keep up with all the action via our social media channels (#ManMetUni #ManMetProud).
If anyone from the Manchester Met University community has any questions or specific needs, please contact the EDI Team.
