Foreword
The original ‘Complicated?’ report was published ten years ago. It showed that many bi+[1] people did not feel that they fit into any community, whether that was a bi+ community, an LGBTI+ community, or a heterosexual community.
Defining ‘a community’ is a difficult task. It can take many forms and be different things to different people. Community can be geographical, interest or identity based, online or in-person[2]. It may be family, neighbourhood, or friendship based. It may be people meeting up at big events like Prides, or smaller support or interest groups providing a safe and non-judgemental space.
While the look of chosen communities may differ, what they have in common is that they provide support, solidarity, and safety.
Through Scottish Bi+ Network, I have heard reports of a lack of inclusion, and I hope that this publication will help services improve. In the last ten years, I have watched bi+ visibility, groups and support grow, and the community expand, through the hard work and dedication of people in the community, often with little or no budget.
This is in part due to the huge growth in online bi+ communities, where people from around the world can connect and support each other, even in countries where bi+ and LGBTI+ acceptance is not where we are in the UK.
Even in the darkest of times, during the lockdowns and restrictions due to Covid-19, I saw the community come together and support each other when there was very little other support available. What I am delighted to see is that a lot of those people are still actively visible within the community today, and they are still supporting each other.
Community is not only people coming together when times are tough, but also sharing their joy and feeling supported in their day-to-day lives.
In another ten years’ time, I am certain that the bi+ community will have continued to grow and thrive. I hope that in the future bi+ people feel safer and more supported in all spaces, not just in bi+ ones.
Lorna (she/her)
Chair, Scottish Bi+ Network
Footnotes
- See our definition of bi+. (Return to reference [1])
- Collectively, LGBTI+ people have long had to make our own community and redefine what that means to us – see Nagle, A., Crowther, R., Sanders White, E. (2023) ‘Kinship, Family, and Support Networks in Scotland’s LGBTI+ Community’ (Return to reference [2])
