Bisexuals commend community tolerance

Bisexuals marching in this month’s Pride March in St Kilda have commended spectators for respecting the group and refraining from making biphobic gibes.

In recent years, Bisexual Alliance Victoria (BAV) has reported being sprayed with biphobic abuse while participating in the annual Pride event.

BAV president James Dominguez said he was pleased he did not have to deal with any biphobic backlash.

“We haven’t received any reports from our members of any negative comments this year,” Dominguez said.

Last month the Star Observer reported BAV had issued a public plea ahead of the February 5 event, calling for an end to jeers from spectators.

The group has been subject to putdowns in past years, including ‘make up your mind’, ‘you’re greedy’, ‘finish coming out’, ‘bisexuals don’t exist’ and ‘get off the fence’.

“This year the crowd’s response was entirely positive, with the only shouts being words of support and affirmation for the group,” Dominguez said.

“Some in the crowd even denounced the hecklers of previous years.”

The BAV marching group this year drew around 20 people.

“We are very grateful for the support Pride March Victoria and the media have given us over the last 12 months,” Dominguez said.

“I feel it helped to make this year the best march I can remember taking part in, and I hope it will keep getting even better.”

BAV is a non-profit support group for bisexual people and aims to promote acceptance of bisexuals in the LGBTI and mainstream communities.

The 17th annual Pride March drew strong crowds in the early half of the day. However, wet and windy weather later in the day forced down numbers.

Organisations from around Victoria took part including Victoria Police, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Ambulance Victoria, political parties, and LGBTI community organisations and social groups.

INFO: www.bi-alliance.org