Don't Judge A Book Bi Their Cover: Celebrate Bisexuality Day

 Don't Judge A Book Bi Their Cover!

Pearl Cove Library and the Sydney Bi Plus Network (https://sydneybiplusnetwork.org/about-1) have partnered to celebrate bisexuality within our community by presenting the Human Living Library event "Don't Judge A Book Bi Their Cover: Celebrate Bisexuality Day"!

This event aims to help to remove the stigma that surrounds being bisexual in our society. Female bisexuals are often fetishized by the media, in film and on TV while male bisexuals face total erasure even within the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The event will allow members of the bisexual community (our "books") to speak one-on-one with members of the Pearl Cove community who may have little to no experience with someone who is open with their bisexuality. 

What is a Human Living Library?

The Human Living Library is the concept of borrowing people from a library who act as ‘books’ to those who loan them out. This is typically done as an event where the borrowers ask the human books questions about the topic they have been chosen to represent. 

These events are designed to reduce prejudice, break down barriers, strengthen communities, and promote social change. For more information on Human Living Libraries in Australia, please see https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/about.

Say Hello to Some Good Bi's, Meet our Books!

Jessica Benson (She/Her): Jessica is a resident of Pearl Cove who has been openly bisexual for over 15 years and is happy to share her story. 

Patrick Stratton (He/Him): Patrick is another local resident of Pearl Cove who has been openly bisexual for 4 years.

Amber Loomis (They/Them): Amber is the Sydney Bi+ Network President and has been active in the LGBTQI community for over 10 years.

Michael Inglis (He/Him): Michael is an openly bisexual Indigenous Australian who campaigns for LGBTQI rights with First Nations Rainbow (https://www.firstnationsrainbow.org.au/team). 

Event Details

When: Wednesday 23rd September, 4pm to 9pm

Where: Pearl Cove Library Courtyard

For bookings and enquiries: events@pcl_library.com, (02) 9534 2521 or come in and see our helpful library staff.

Bookings are essential for this event as numbers are limited.

Photo Credits:

Peter Salanki. (n.d). The bisexual pride flag (3673713584).jpg [Photograph]. Retrieved 7 November 2020 from https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/5594082f-33d2-46da-90cd-ed150e0c01c7. 

Fotos de Camisetas de SANTI OCHOA. (2017). MANI ORGULLO CRÍTICO 2017 - Bisexual [Photograph]. Retrieved 8 November from https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotosdecamisetas/35607103266/in/photolist.

Post Created by: Ben Robinson (Student Number 377645332)

            

                                  

           

Intersections: A Pride Month Event

Wednesday 5th June

11.00 AM to 3.30 PM 

Small seating and spaces,

Pearl Cove Library

Join us at Pearl Cove Library for Pride Month in June where we will celebrate the stories of four LGBT+ members and how their identities intersect and interconnect. 

This is a free event, no RSVP necessary.

More information about Pride Month:

https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/pride-month-2019/

More information about Intersectionality: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc7VUoytoU4

Background:

Intersections is a Living Libraries event organised to celebrate Pride Month. Participants have the chance to borrow one of you four "Books", who are members of the LGBT as well as member of other marginal groups, participants will have 10-20 minutes to talk with their book and gain great insights into their lives. 

The aim of the event is to promote acceptance and inclusiveness of marginalised people and to encourage interaction with people you normally wouldn't even talk to. 

Conceived by Kimberle Crenshaw, Intersectionality is a concept that accounts for people with several marginalised identities in feminism. Here, intersectionality is being taken from its feminist roots and used to highlight the vibrant and diverse people within the LGBT community. There are many sub-communities that exist within it that are equally as valid and worthy of support and acceptance.

The Books

Rosie

Indigenous, bisexual

“Many people who learn of my dual identities believe my life to be a struggle, but to me, it’s a blessing I am thankful for everyday.”

Rosie is an Aboriginal woman, her parents being from different indigenous groups. She has been heavily involved in both indigenous groups ever since she was a young child, participating in cultural festivals and events and travelling around Sydney hosting talks and workshops to teach tourists and Sydney-siders about her heritage.

Rosie discovered her orientation in her teenage years and is outspoken about her identity, having talked and written extensively about her unique experience.

Maurice

Refugee, homosexual

“I am thankful that I get to live in the lucky country, where I can be who I truly am.”

Maurice fled a hostile environment in the Middle East and waited over three years in another land to obtain a visa and legal documents to enter Australia. His LGBT status put him in danger, so Maurice had to leave his family and old life behind so that he could live in safety and peace.

Today, Maurice is active in several refugee and LGBT organisations and wants to share his story to the public. Enlightening people of the plight and problems of his former country and telling his readers how fortunate he is to be an Australian citizen.

Rachel

Former addict, lesbian

“I was in a dark place for a very long time, every time I tried to escape I just wound up feeling trapped. Now, I see the light, and I want to share it.”

Rachel has been in and out of rehabilitation and therapy for many years. Now over 14 months clean, Rachel joined Living Libraries so she may inform the readers how addiction is a very big issue in the LGBT community, where drug addiction rates are significantly disproportionate compared to the general population. She will explain the unique situations of LGBT people that lead to addiction, how she believes we can tackle the problem as a whole, and her tips and advice for recovery.

Josh

HIV positive, bisexual

“Yes, I am HIV positive. No, I am not unworthy of love.”

Josh recalls that dreary September day in 2003 when his GP broke the news to him: his HIV had developed into AIDS. Except nowadays, it is a memory that no longer haunts him.

Josh is happy to share his journey with his readers: the long, hard road to accepting his status as well as himself. And the innovations and breakthroughs in medical science that allow him to live a normal life and look forward to a bright future.

Josh will draw upon his experience as a panel member of a podcast that explains the historic relationship of HIV, AIDS and the LGBT community: the hardships and devastating losses, the united and unyielding strength of the community, and the newfound hope today.

Contact:

Caroline Resiak, Head of the Intersection Committee:

• c.resiak@pccouncil.com
• 04X5 9X2 15X

The image is edited from the following:

Photo by Courtney Baucom on Unsplash

Photo by Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash