Bisexual Awareness Week in San Francisco
A young girl holds open a bisexual pride flag during a Pride parade celebration.
This week is Bisexual Awareness Week, a vital time to celebrate and recognize the experiences of bisexual+, pansexual, and queer individuals who often find themselves overlooked in discussions about the LGBTQIA+ community. Bisexual Awareness Week, which runs annually from September 16-23, aims to elevate bisexual visibility and combat the unique stigmas that bisexual people face both within and outside the queer community.
At Queer LifeSpace, we are dedicated to serving the diverse spectrum of sexualities, including those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual. Our mental health and advocacy programs are designed to address the specific, intersectional challenges that bisexual individuals encounter, such as erasure, biphobia, and disparities in mental health access.
As we reflect on Bisexual Awareness Week, we want to highlight the importance of inclusive support for all sexual orientations, especially for bisexual individuals, who often face unique challenges that differ from those experienced by other members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Reality of Bisexual Erasure and Biphobia
Bisexual individuals often experience erasure—the tendency for their identity to be dismissed, ignored, or invalidated. This occurs both within the LGBTQIA+ community and in broader society. Bisexual people are frequently pressured to "pick a side," with their identity dismissed as a phase or misunderstood as confusion. This form of invalidation can lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion, even among other queer individuals.
At Queer LifeSpace, we recognize how biphobia—prejudice specifically directed at bisexual individuals—contributes to mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Research has shown that bisexual people experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to their gay, lesbian, and heterosexual peers. Many bisexual individuals also report feeling less supported or understood when accessing LGBTQIA+ spaces, which can compound their emotional struggles.
Comprehensive Mental Health Support for All Identities
Queer LifeSpace offers specialized programs that provide safe, inclusive, and affirming therapeutic services for bisexual individuals. Our therapists are trained to understand the nuances of bisexual identity and work with clients to explore their feelings, relationships, and personal challenges. We prioritize creating spaces where bisexual clients can be seen, validated, and supported in their journey toward self-acceptance and mental well-being.
Beyond therapy, Queer LifeSpace's support programs include resources for relationship counseling, identity exploration, and community building. Whether a client identifies as bisexual, pansexual, asexual, or another identity on the spectrum, our services are designed to offer compassionate care that reflects the full complexity of their experiences.
Advocating for Intersectional LGBTQIA+ Care
While Bisexual Awareness Week is a reminder to honor bisexual identities, it’s also a call to advocate for intersectionality within our community. We work with each person to address the specific intersections of their identity—be it gender, race, or socioeconomic status—so that no part of who they are is left unseen or unaddressed.
Our services aim to empower all clients to feel proud and affirmed in their identities, reducing the harmful effects of minority stress and helping them navigate a world that often misunderstands or misrepresents them. Bisexual clients, in particular, benefit from the visibility and advocacy we work to bring to the forefront of our practice, ensuring that they are not lost in the broader LGBTQ+ conversation.
International Bisexuality+ Day!
Bisexual Awareness Week will conclude on September 23rd, but our work to uplift and support the bisexual, pansexual, and queer community is ongoing. We invite everyone to join us in creating a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive environment for all members of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
For more information about our programs or to seek support, navigate through our website or reach out to our team directly. Together, we can ensure that every identity is celebrated and cared for every week of the year.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us in our mission to provide low-cost, high-quality mental healthcare. Your donation could mean the world to someone.