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Resources and information about bi+ people and our priorities

Whether you're exploring your own identity, supporting someone you care about, or looking to make positive change for bi+ communities, you'll find information and resources here to help you along the way.

BI-CON FACTS

  • There are hundreds of millions of bi+ people around the world, and hundreds of thousands in Victoria alone

  • Bi+ people are the largest group within the LGBTIQA+ community (over 50% when considered by sexual orientation)

  • Bi+ people may identify as pansexual, bisexual, omnisexual, queer, fluid, may use several of these terms, or may prefer no labels

  • There are many bi+ people across all genders, and there’s a strong overlap between the bi+ and the trans and gender diverse communities

  • David Bowie, Janelle Monáe and Lady Gaga are just a few of the many famous bi+ people who have had leading roles in the arts

  • Due to biphobia and bi erasure, bi+ communities have higher rates of health, mental health, safety and housing issues than groups of other sexual orientations

How do I know if I am bi+?

If you feel attracted to people of different genders, then you fit within the term bi+.

For some people, that might feel very obvious from a young age. For others, attraction might develop later. There are many ways to discover your bi+ identity, and it’s OK if you are still figuring it out.

But if you feel attraction to different genders, or are wondering if you might, then you’re one of us. A great thing about bi+ communities is that we tend to be very inclusive. We don’t focus on gatekeeping who’s in or who’s out.

What is great about being bi+?

Being bi+ is great in many ways!

Let’s start with the obvious. Bi+ people get to feel attraction to many different people of different genders. Those of us who choose to can also explore intimate relationships, sexual experiences and human interactions without limitations of gender. This can help make our experiences with other people, and our lives, very rich and diverse.

How does society discriminate against bi+ people?

Although being bi+ itself is great, how we are treated by society often isn’t.

As bi+ people, we can face prejudice and discrimination from others because of our multi-gender attraction. This is called biphobia.

What needs to change to create better outcomes for bi+ people?

We need changes in understanding, attitudes, services, policies and laws, to ensure that bi+ people are respected and celebrated alongside people of other sexual orientations.

There are hundreds of millions of bi+ people around the world - and hundreds of thousands in Victoria alone. Being bi+ is part of the normal range of human sexuality and bi+ people have many valuable strengths and perspectives to contribute to society.

Despite this, we face ongoing invalidation, discrimination and invisibility in many areas of life due to biphobia and bi erasure.

Where can I find support?

If you’re a bi+ person in Victoria and need support, reach out to some of the groups, services or practitioners listed below. They are queer-friendly and they welcome you getting in touch.

Want to connect with other bi+ people, share your experiences and hear from others?

Bi+ Pride Victoria’s monthly online discussion group is a safe space for bi, pan, and other multi-gender attracted folks to find understanding and support from our community. Led by an experienced bi+ facilitator. Newcomers and old friends always welcome! Our community events can also be a great way to connect with others. See our Events page for details.

For organisations and practitioners – How can I better include and support bi+ people?

Great question, thanks for asking!

Bi+ people need connection and support as much as anyone else. And research shows that the bi+ community has high rates of health and support needs compared to the general community and other parts of the LGBTIQA+ community. However, bi+ people often face barriers to accessing and feeling welcome in organisations and services.

More Resources

Definitions and Understanding

Definitions - Bisexuality and multi-gender attraction

There are many different ways that people understand and describe their experience of being attracted to people of different genders. These are some common terms that people use, and what they mean.

Understanding biphobia and bi erasure

Biphobia is prejudice, discrimination, or hostility directed towards bi+ people (or towards people who are perceived to be bi+). It includes negative attitudes and behaviours that marginalise, stigmatise, or invalidate bi+ / multi-gender attracted people and their experiences.

Bi+ Pride Victoria publications

Spaces to Be

Spaces to Be explores the history of bisexual community groups in Victoria from the 1970s to the 2020s. This research project identified nine significant bisexual groups in Victoria during this time, and provides rich insight into their history, purposes and focus.

Bi the Way: A Guide to Bisexual+ Research

Bi the Way is an updated set of guidelines for Bi+ inclusive research. Bi the Way aims to support research into bi+ people and ensure that research more accurately represents the community, is inclusive of community needs, and relevant to important contemporary issues of sexual identity, attraction, and behaviour.

Submission to Inquiry on Anti-LGBTIQA+ Hate Crimes

In 2026 the Victorian Parliament's Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee held an inquiry into anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes in Victoria. Bi+ Pride Victoria surveyed bi+ people and provided a submission to the Inquiry, featuring community voices.

Intimate Partner Violence: Bi+ Inclusive Practice Report

Bi+ women experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), are often failed by the health and justice systems and yet are largely invisible from current IPV frameworks and practice. This 2023 report presents the findings of a project exploring the experiences and needs of bi+ women who are exposed to IPV.

Books about bi+ issues

There are many great books about bi+ experiences, issues and perspectives. Here are a few of our favourites.

Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality by Dr Julia Shaw. A great introductory book that celebrates the resilience and beautiful diversity of the bi community. See also this article explaining how Julia wrote this book to answer all the questions she had about being bisexual.

Bi The Way: The Bisexual Guide to Life by Lois Shearing. Whether you are openly bisexual, still figuring things out or just interested in learning more about bisexuality, Bi The Way is a helpful guide. Includes first-hand accounts from bi advocates, and practical tips on dating, sex, biphobia, bi-erasure, coming out, activism and gender identity.

Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution by Shiri Eisner. A comprehensive look at bisexual politics and a starting point from which to launch a bisexual revolution!

Greedy: Notes from a Bisexual Who Wants Too Much by Jen Winston. A hilarious and wise collection of essays, offering an intimate look at bisexuality, gender, and, of course, sex. In this book Jen attempts to make sense of herself as she explores what it means to be "queer enough," and how to overcome bi stereotypes.

Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire by Lisa Diamond. In this book Lisa argues that for some women, love and desire are not rigidly heterosexual or homosexual but fluid, changing as women move through the stages of life, various social groups, and, most important, different love relationships.

Women in Relationships with Bisexual Men: Bi Men By Women by Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli. An intimate journey into the experiences and insights of 79 Australian women in relationships with bisexual men.

Bi Men: Coming Out Every Which Way edited by Ron Jackson Suresha & Pete Chvany. A diverse collection of personal narratives, offering insight into the experiences of bisexual men. Through candid accounts, it explores the challenges, joys, and complexities of coming to terms with one's sexuality within a heteronormative society. 

Bisexual Men Exist: A Handbook for Bisexual, Pansexual and M-Spec Men by Vaneet Mehta. This book explores the challenges faced for bisexual men specifically including bi erasure, coming out, dating, relationships and health. This is a combination of Vaneet’s own lived experience as well as stories from the other men in the bi community.

Bisexual Married Men - Stories of Relationships, Acceptance, and Authenticity by Robert Cohen. Diverse and relatable personal stories from interviews with bi+ men married to women, plus overarching reflections on themes from these interviews.

Step Bi Step - The Ultimate Guide for Bisexual, Pansexual and Queer Young People by Laura Clarke. A fantastic guide to thriving as a bi, pan, or queer young person.

Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+ Love, Life and Mental Health by Alexis Caught. While not a book focused solely on bisexuality this is a great starting point for adolescents (and their allies looking to support!) exploring their sexuality.

Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World edited by Robyn Ochs and Sarah Rowley. An awesome collection of personal stories and essays exploring multi-gender attracted identity, by people from 42 countries around the world.

Podcasts and radio shows

Great info, conversations and perspectives for your bi+ brain!

Out of the Pan (3CR Community Radio Melbourne, Sundays 12-1pm, or listen via podcast). Hosted by Sally Goldner, long-term pansexual activist and general bicon! This show covers pansexual issues, pansexual meaning "knowing no boundaries of sex or gender", including trans and gender diverse, bi+, polyamorous and queer issues, news and events.

Two Bi Guys (US-based podcast). Hosted by bi+ author, life coach and stand-up comedian Robert Cohen. A podcast about fluid sexuality, gender, masculinity and femininity, intimacy, relationships and more. Especially good for learning about the diverse perspectives of bi+ men.

By the Bi (Sydney-based podcast). An award-winning Australian podcast exploring bisexuality, open relationships, kink, and modern connection with honesty and humour.

Bisexual Brunch (UK-based podcast). A unique podcast for people who identify as bi to come together and celebrate their sexuality.

Triple Bi Pass (podcast from JOY Media Melbourne - produced between 2016 and 2022). A show with a focus on bisexuality - but it’s not a how-to program or a political call-to-action. If anything, the show is about busting stereotypes. The hosts are not spokespersons for the bi community, nor are they experts in gender theory. They are just people having a fun chat who happen to be bi.

Websites

bi.org (USA). Has a huge and enjoyable range of resources, reviews, stories, interviews and more. Have fun exploring!

Bisexual Resource Center (USA). Boston-based not-for-profit, working towards an empowered, visible, and inclusive global community for bi+ people.

The Bisexual Research Group (international). Researchers, educators, and activists working towards better understanding, visibility, and inclusion of bi+ experiences.

Articles and blog posts

A few of the thousands of good magazine articles and posts about bi+ issues. See also Bi Women Quarterly for heaps of good articles.

Dating as a bisexual man: The joy of holding space. Patrick Lenton (2022), Archer Magazine.

Bisexual pride: How to thrive as a bi+ person. Adele (delsi cat) Moleta (2022), Archer Magazine.

Blak, bi and not a guy: On intersecting identities. Ulysses Thomas (2022), Archer Magazine.

Discovering aegosexuality through art: Neurodivergence, desire and Jessica Rabbit. Cynthia Spleen (2023), Archer Magazine.

Research

A growing amount of research has focused on bi+ people over the past few decades. The following studies provide useful information about bi+ needs and experiences in the Australian context, often within a broader picture of LGBTIQA+ experiences.

  • Bi+ Sexual Health and HIV (BiSHH) study - the first national survey of sex, health, and relationships designed specifically for the bi+ community in Australia. Report released 2026. See media release with summary of findings.

  • Private Lives 3 - Australia’s largest national survey of the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people to date. It was conducted by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University. Report released 2020.

  • Writing Themselves In 4 - a survey of LGBTQA+ people aged 14 to 21 about their experiences with education, homelessness, harassment, assault, mental health, community connections, and more, alongside key recommendations for action. Report released 2021.

If you are able to access academic publications (e.g. through university or a research institution), the Journal of Bisexuality publishes a lot of current research on bi+ issues.

Bent TV

Bent TV is a long-running Melbourne-based community TV program focusing on LGBTIQA+ issues with a lens of inclusion, affirmation and lived experience. You can stream at Bent TV. The episodes listed here feature Bi+ Pride Victoria members and guests exploring a huge range of issues relating to bisexuality.

  • MBN Research Launch. Discussion of Bi The Way Research Guidelines, and Intimate Partner Violence: Bi+ Inclusive Practice Report. (Penny McKay, Gabi Boyd, Juniper Muller, Ruby Mountford, Amber Loomis and Jayde de Bondt, September 2023.)

  • Is Passionate Activism an Act of Love? (Juniper Muller and Duc Dau, May 2022)

  • How do you Represent Bisexuality in the Erotic? The erotic through history, bisexual behaviour through the centuries, terminology and its limits. (Juniper Muller and Duc Dau, April 2022)

  • Experiencing Pride. What pride means to bi+ people, pride as the opposite of shame, connection to history, community, activism, sharing joy, and safety. (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, February 2022)

  • Attraction - Who to, Who not? Exploring attraction - who you are attracted to, and by how much? Who you are not attracted to? Are you attracted to all genders, some genders, specific genders? (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, January 2022)

  • How to Reconnect After Long Periods in Lockdown. Reconnecting with community after periods of social isolation due to COVID-19. (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, October 2021)

  • Bi+ Visibility. Advocacy, multi gender attraction, labels, invisibility, vulnerability, fears, fluidity, checking in with yourself, being treated as if the "B" is silent in LGBTIQA+, personal wellbeing, growth, and connection. (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, September 2021)

  • Being a Bisexual Parent. The complexities of being a bisexual parent, identity, defiance, fluidity, and assumptions (just to start with)! (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, July 2021)

  • Bi+ Health Awareness Month. Exploring the vulnerability and health concerns experienced by bi+ people. (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, March 2021)

  • Physical Romantic Attraction. Bodies, physical or sexual and romantic attraction, interactions, and what can make bi+ people special. (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, November 2020)

  • Language, Phobia, Choice. Do we waste too much time discussing labels that are an individual choice? (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, October 2020)

  • Bisexuality and Invisibility. Visibility, legibility, isolation, validating, witnessing, the swamp of shame, finding community, who are Bi people visible to, partner dynamics, and limiting sexualities. (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, September 2020)

  • The Melbourne Bisexual Network. Bisexuality in the context of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). (Juniper Muller and Megan Alexandra, April 2020)

  • Interviews from Big Bi+ Bonanza celebrating Bi Visibility Day 2019. All the action from Big Bi+ Bonanza, a festival of food, music and more, proving again that bi people exist and are everywhere. (Anthony Lekkas plus guests, September 2019)

  • Bis Visibility Day - 23 September - Big Bi+ Bonanza festival. MBN and shOUT Youth Choir are co-hosting a one day festival, Big Bi+ Bonanza, celebrating Bi+ Visibility Day 2019. (Anthony Lekkas, Megan Alexandra, Elly. September 2019)

  • Bisexual Mental Health - Melbourne Bisexual Network. A network of professionals taking action based on the outcomes of the largest bisexual mental health study in Australia. (Anthony Lekkas and Ruby Mountford, November 2017)

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY DISCLAIMER

Our website lists a range of materials and organisations which may be of interest to Bi+ people. These resources represent a variety of approaches, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have curated this collection in good faith. However, Bi+ Pride Victoria does not necessarily endorse the statements, opinions, policies or practices of the organisations or individuals featured. We encourage you to explore the resources and engage with those that best meet your own needs and values.