Bisexual Health Awareness Month

Did you know that March is Bisexual Health Awareness month? For the third year, led by the Bisexual Resource Center, bi+ community organizations have come together to highlight the physical and mental health disparities experienced by those who, by behavior or self-identification, possess the capacity for attraction to more than one gender. We use words like bi, fluid, pansexual, queer and omnisexual to describe ourselves, while some of us eschew labels altogether. Bi+ is emerging as a term used to refer to this multi-faceted community and used here for that purpose.

Bi+ people experience higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease than our lesbian, gay and heterosexual peers. We have higher rates of suicide, smoking, substance abuse and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Members of our community experience intimate partner violence at higher rates. Moreover, we are less likely to access health care services, with bi+ adults less likely to have a consistent health care provider and more likely to be uninsured and live below the poverty line.

One way to mitigate the impact of these disparities is to bring bi+ people together. Through social interaction, a sense of community, support, sharing of resources and having fun, we can positively impact our lives. We offer the following groups in the San Diego community in the hopes that the disparities can be lessened by the power of community.

Bisexual Fluid Queer Community in San Diego
http://www.facebook.com/groups/BiFluidQueerCommunitySD/

amBi San Diego
A group that exists to build Bi Community through a variety of events and activities that allows bisexuals to meet, establish meaningful friendships, and have fun!
http://www.meetup.com/amBiSD/

Bi Bar
A fun, social, safe space built intentionally to be 100% accepting of all self-identifications, trans/poly/kink/disability friendly, size-accepting, and culturally diverse.
http://www.meetup.com/Bi-Bar-San-Diego/

Bi/Fluid/Queer Coming Out Group
A supportive space to explore what being out means in our own lives. Meets at 7:00pm the third Wednesday of each month at the LGBT Center.

Bisexual Forum of San Diego
A discussion group with a strong emphasis on social connection. Meets at 7:00pm the second Tuesday of each month in Room #2 at the LGBT Center.
http://www.meetup.com/amBiSD/

Latina Bisexual and Lesbian Group (San Diego)
A group focused on building a stronger queer Latina community through participation in events and activities.
http://www.meetup.com/Latina-Bisexual-Lesbian-Group-San-Diego/

San Diego Bisexual Women Meetup
A place for bisexual women to meet, socialize and connect to celebrate our bisexuality and the wonderful opportunities that come along with it.
http://www.meetup.com/san-diego-bisexual-women/

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About Alex Villafuerte

Alex Villafuerte is San Diego Pride's Marketing & Communication Manager. He oversees the marketing for all of Pride's events & programs. Outside of Pride, he has a love for the outdoors, the San Diego brew scene, and naps.