Double discrimination
Bisexuality – what does it mean? We know that people who are bisexual are under-represented across the media with only a few characters on TV and in films being openly bisexual.
Bisexuality is ‘a romantic or sexual attraction toward both males and females, or to more than one sex or gender.’
Bi-visibility is important because many ‘bi’ people find it incredibly hard to be themselves. What’s more, they can often face what is known as ‘double discrimination,’ stigma from within the LGBT+ community, as well as stereotyping and labelling from straight people. So, let’s try and make a difference!
This year, our LGBT+ & Friends network are proud to be representing Royal Mail at the UK’s first ever Bi Pride on Saturday 7 September at the Round Chapel in Hackney, London. The event, which promises two entertainment stages and a community stalls area, is also the lead in to the internationally marked Bi-Visibility Day on Monday 23 September - a real opportunity for all our LGBT+ colleagues and their allies to stand up in support of their bi colleagues.
As with all the Pride events we attend, we want colleagues to have the opportunity to celebrate being themselves. Whether you are bi, bisexual, biromantic, pan, pansexual, panromantic, poly, polysexual, polyromantic, queer, fluid, heteroflexible, homoflexible, something totally different, a combination of these, or even no label at all – this event is for you!
Last month, Leicester postwoman Lucy Surti took over our Instagram feed for Trans* Pride in Brighton – click here to watch her in action.
Content production manager, Julia Casson, said: ‘We would love to find a bi colleague to help us report back from the Bi Pride event for our social media channels. The film will be in the form of a video diary and will involve some filming before, during and after the event.
‘We’ll want to hear about your experiences and what you think of the day, so if you’re interested, please email me at julia.casson@royalmail.com.’
As one of the UK’s largest employers, we are committed to putting equality and diversity at the heart of our business. Supporting Pride is another way we can celebrate our differences, reflect the communities we serve and promote Royal Mail as an equal opportunities employer and a true champion of LGBT+ colleagues and the wider LGBT+ community.
Remember, all Royal Mail colleagues and their friends and family are invited to celebrate the below Pride events:
- Cardiff – 24 August
- Newry Pride – 31 August
We want people to sign up to attend the Pride of your choice as early as possible as places are capped. To secure your places, please email pride@royalmail.com with your name, the number of people attending with you, which Pride you would like to attend and whether you would like to be on our much-loved Royal Mail rainbow float.
