Neither here nor there
The network is currently working up plans for a ‘Bi Forum’ in January to celebrate and bring together Bi colleagues and allies from across the business.
Customer service advisor, Hannah Parys from the network, said: ‘Due to the stigmas so often attached to being part of the LGBT+ community, many LGBT+ people feel that they can’t come out to colleagues in the workplace.
‘The “B” tends to get overlooked by both those in and out of the LGBT+ community, making it even harder to bring our “whole” selves to work. People tend not to come out for fear of colleagues thinking differently about them, for fear of being treated differently, for fear of being subject to gossip, and for fear it will “go against” them.’
Bisexuality and bisexual people are often viewed negatively with many bisexual people reporting not feeling at home in either lesbian, gay, or transgender communities, due to widely perceived misunderstandings around bisexuality being some kind of temporary phase on the path to a fully realised gay or heterosexual identity.
‘Bisexuality is a “funny” one when it comes to acceptance as there is an added pressure to be either one thing or another,’ added Hannah. ‘Bisexuality is often seen as “neither here, nor there”. “Make up your mind.” “There’s no such thing.” “You’re just confused.” “You just don’t want to admit that you’re gay,” and “Choose a team” are just some of the phrases often bandied around to describe bisexual behaviour.
‘We need our bisexual colleagues to be able to feel valid and to be themselves. That’s why I welcome Royal Mail’s desire for a bisexual network. I am both excited and looking forward to having such a network, and what it will bring to our working lives here.’
Get involved
The LGBT+ & Friends steering group was established in 2015 with the goal of creating an accessible network for LGBT+ colleagues and supporters to come together and share their experiences.
If you are Bi, you want to be an Ally, or you simply want to be part of the network, please let them know by emailing LGBT&Friends@royalmail.com.
You can also subscribe to their newsletter and join their protected Facebook group, just email them with your pay number and the email address you use to sign into Facebook and they will send you an invitation.
