It's bisexuality week and we've asked some wonderful people in our network to share their thoughts on being a bisexual person of faith. Today, you will hear from Aurelio, who attended our last conference in Varese in May 24 and there held a wonderful workshop about bisexuality.

Every 23rd of September since 1999 we celebrate the joy and pride of bisexualities, of desiring in any form more than one gender and being part of our bi+ communities. The Bi Visibility Day is a meaningful date to remind others that the B in LGBTQIA+ it's not just for show. It's a part of our community and political history. Since bi+ sexual orientations and identities have been erased and made invisible for decades outside and within the LGBTQIA+ communities, we should mend these wounds through listening, supporting and loving people who are attracted to more than one gender. Regardless of what labels an individual prefer to use or do not use, under the umbrella of bi+ experiences and desire we all face the same struggles of living in a world of gender and sexual binaries that oppresses us.

But binary is for code and not for sexes, genders, desires and bi+ people. Whatever type or degree of attractions a person feels towards gender/s, or regardless of them, it's valid. There are no bisexual stamps or licenses needed to be Bi+ and there never were. For communities of faith and activists it's fundamental to celebrate the history of bi+ activists and the bi+ people in our daily lives. We strive for visibility and, yet, let's not forget that being visible without the safety net of structural social support exposes us to the risk of facing biphobia.

As the Bisexual Manifesto said back in 1991 “Bisexuality is a whole, fluid identity.” And we are proud of who we are.

- Aurelio Castro