Bisexual plenary

The presentation titled "Bisexual plenary - Proud 2016" features Sandra Dickson addressing biphobia and bisexual visibility at the University of Otago Wellington School of Medicine. The audio, recorded on March 11, 2016, captures not only Sandra's discussion but also an interactive game show format called "We Want It All", devised to engage the audience on issues relevant to those who are attracted to more than one gender. Contestants, who are members of the bisexual community, partake in the game by answering questions on themes of identity, societal perceptions, and challenges that bisexual individuals face.

During the game, the participants utilize "lifelines" akin to those found in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" to navigate tough questions which touch on common misconceptions and bi-erasure. Contestants are invited to engage with the audience, a friend, or through 50/50 options to dispel myths and affirm their rights, such as the right to an open sexuality and an understanding family that supports their partner choices.

Sandra recounts coming out as bisexual in 1989 and cites improvements in acceptance since then, yet underscores the ongoing presence of biphobia. They reference personal protective measures against pervasive societal prejudice and express the desire to find a safe space within the LGBTQ+ community. They discuss shocking statistics on mental health, partner violence, and substance use within the bisexual community, emphasizing the need for safer and more inclusive environments.

By sharing personal experiences and knowledge, Sandra and the contestants vividly illustrate the oft-misunderstood realities and struggles of bisexual individuals. They call for awareness and action against biphobia and advocate for explicit inclusion of bisexual people in conversations about sexuality and rights. Participants also highlight the importance of creating educational and support systems for bisexual individuals, particularly youth.

The presentation concludes with a call for the audience to be safe and welcoming for people who identify as bisexual. They are encouraged to understand and address biphobia, ensuring it is part of the broader fight against discrimination in all its forms.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Sandra Dickson

2010s, alcohol and drug abuse, aotearoa new zealand, biphobia, bisexual, bisexual erasure, bisexual invisibility, children, coming out, disability, disability rights, firefighter, gameshow, gender fluid, hinemoana baker, homophobia, identity, international lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association (ilga), invisibility, marriage, newtown, pasifika, proud 2016 (wellington), sandra dickson, sexual orientation, suicide, transphobia, university of otago wellington school of medicine, wellington, wellington bisexual women's group

alcohol, attraction, audience, australia, autism, boxes, cats, conference, difference, expression, failure, family, fear, gay, gender, hate, health, hiding, human rights, job, ladies, love, mental health, oceania, other, parents, partner violence, people, podcast, rainbow, research, retreats, school, sex, sexual violence, sexuality, shopping, social, spaces, spectrum, study, stuff, support, time, trans, truth, understanding, university, violence, women, work