Happy Pride Month! With 2019 (ahem, 20 BI TEEN) Pride month almost at an end, we wanted to share some ways YOU can be a Bi+ ally.

Let’s get some facts on the table.

• Bisexuality is the potential to be attracted – romantically and/or sexually – to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.*
• There are over 9 MILLION LGBTQ folks in the US and more than half of all gay, lesbian, and bisexual people identify as bisexual*
• Bisexual erasure or bisexual invisibility is a problem when people question the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality (either in general or in regard to an individual)*

So now that you have some background, let’s breakdown how you can be a Bi+ ally in your everyday life. Shoutout to @glaad for these tips!

1. Say Bisexual: Always be sure to refer to someone as Bi+ if they identify as such! Yes, even if so and so is dating someone who isn’t their gender and the relationship looks Heterosexual, if they’re Bi+ they’re Bi+. Same applies if they’re dating someone of the same gender. Just listen and be respectful.
2. Don’t Make Bisexual Folks ‘Prove’ Anything: Affirm and accept the sexual orientation of the individual. It’s not cool to ask ANYONE invasive questions about their sexual experiences but don’t ask Bi+ people what encounters they’ve had with the same gender or even other genders.
3. Let Bi+ Folks Be Dynamic: Nobody is JUST their sexual orientation, so don’t let that be the only thing you notice about the Bi+ people around you or in media. There’s so many ways people express their identities and share their voices, so give Bi+ people the space to do so.
4. Give Bi+ People the Mic: To be a Bi+ ally, one of the best (and easiest) actions you can take is passing the mic to Bi+ folks. Listen to the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the Bi+ community to learn how something affects them. Sharing the mic gives the Bi+ the ability to tell their own stories and share their perspective in an authentic voice.
5. Support Bi+ Representation on Screen: Support media that gives representation to the Bi+ community, and tells their stories through THEIR experiences. The newest season of Are You the One? features an entirely sexually fluid cast finding love. Are You tuning in?

That’s all folks! Happy PRIDE 2019!

:)

Originally posted by aestheticallypleasingrat

Sources:
GLAAD Bisexual Hub
“Understanding Issues Facing Bisexual Americans,” by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), BiNet USA, and the Bisexual Resource Center.

As a biracial, queer, cartoonist who has been on the move for years, young New Yorker cartoonist Maddie Dai reflects that it’s her perspective of an outsider that’s been the most helpful. “Being new to a place, or existing even slightly outside of the mainstream means you’re constantly quietly observing, attempting to make sense of the nuances customs and social rituals. I think this observation of human behavior makes for good cartoons. Sometimes I’m worried I’ll lose my foreign edge and have to pack my bags again to get a fresh look at life.”

(Image from @maddiedai) 

Maddie’s cartoons cover so many issues, from Roseanne’s racism to homophobic cake bakers to the experience of women in the modern workplace. Her characters are often pathetic, unsure and wide eyed, and deliver their lines without an overly sarcastic touch. Both silly and dark in a single moment, her style can be childish and sparse, but her gags usually pack a punch.

(Image from @maddiedai)

Originally from Wellington, Maddie left New Zealand at 17 and lived in Hong Kong before spending time in Vermont, Oxford, New York City, then finally settling in London.

 “Growing up in NZ gives you no sense of scale. You have no sense of the magnitude of task, or reverence for some great institution, so you just have a crack at it.” 

 Maddie also worked with us at MTV to design amazing graphics to call attention to #NoMuslimBanEver. 

At the MTV 2018 Movie & TV Awards, Lena Waithe sported a t-shirt featuring Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for President. After being the first Black woman to be elected to Congress in 1968, she became the first Black woman to seek a nomination for President from a major party in 1972. Although she didn’t win, her campaign created a path for candidates from diverse communities to run for office. Here are 6 candidates who are on track to continue Chisholm’s trailblazing legacy in the 2018 midterms:

1. Stacey Abrams 

This Spelman grad and Harvard Law alumna is on track to be the first Black woman Governor in the U.S.

(photo credit: LA Times)

2.  Rashida Tlaib & Fayrouz Saad 

Tlaib and Saad are both in the running to be the first ever Muslim-American women elected to Congress.

(photo credit: Toledo Blade)

(photo credit: PBS)

3. Chelsea Manning 

Manning would be the nation’s first-ever openly-transgender Senator. 

(photo credit: University of Michigan)

4. Lupe Valdez

Valdez could be the first Latina AND openly-LGBTQ person to be the Governor of Texas.

(photo credit: Breitbart)

5. Neil Rafferty

Rafferty would be Alabama’s first openly-LGBTQ lawmaker. 

(photo credit: SquareSpace)

6. Deb Haaland 

 Haaland has the possibility to be the nation’s first-ever Native American Congressperson.

(photo credit: PopSugar)

ICYMI: We’re at peak queer lady pop culture! “Lesbian Jesus” Hayley Kiyoko’s prophecy about the power of #20GayTeen is coming true, and here’s some scientific evidence to back up this claim:

1. “Strangers” by Lauren Jauregui and Halsey 

Tbh I feel like this queer lady anthem didn’t get enough love when it came out (pun!), so circle back and bump it again because it really is a banger AND they use she/her pronouns the entire time!! (Also I’m definitely not going to stop shipping these two badass women…)

2. The lesbian plotline in “Blockers”

What a shocker… a trailer for a mainstream comedy neglected to feature the gay storyline! It’s not even just a subplot y’all, it’s a full-on PLOT. Wish I’d been able to see this when I was in high school… Might’ve helped me avoid a lot of awkward school dances.

3. Hayley Kiyoko’s debut album

An entire electro-pop album full of sexy songs about sexing women?! Wayyy too good to be true… Thank you, Lesbian Jesus! 

4. Demi and Kehlani get down and dirty

Okay remember when Demi Lovato and Kehlani started kissing and grinding on stage?!?! I’m still recovering… The best part was definitely when Kehlani cleared up any confusion about her role in the situation. 

5. Janelle + Tessa 4ever

The energy between Janelle Monae and Tessa Thompson in the “Make Me Feel” music video was… electric to say the least. We’re living for this beautiful bi storyline. 

6. Cardi B rapping about threesomes 

I literally can’t imagine anything better than Cardi B’s suggestion in “She Bad” — a threesome with her, Chrissy Teigen, and Rihanna?! Shook. 

7. The dancing girl from Missy Elliott’s “Work It” video came out

Okay so Alyson Stoner (aka “Disney Channel” star and the girl from Missy Elliott’s music videos) came out as bi! Yay! 

8. Lena Waithe’s moment

FYI: Lena Waithe is having a moment. From her Vanity Fair cover to her role in Ready Player One and her incredible series “The Chi,” Lena’s the it girl in the industry right now. And she’s doing big things for black lesbian representation. We see you! 

9. Random queer women everywhere

Is it just me or are there random queer women everywhere in TV and movies these days? Used to be we had to project lesbian narratives onto supposedly straight characters if we wanted to feel represented, but now I can’t even keep up with all the queer ladies! “Black Lightning,” “Love & Hip Hop,” “Grown-ish,” “Jane the Virgin,” “Everything Sucks!,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “One Day at a Time”… We’re everywhere!

What a time to be alive.

What else did we miss? Comment below.

1. Ask for more: In the United States, women who work full time, year-round are still paid 20% less than men. Did you know that the wage gap starts as early as 14 years old?^** Negotiating for a high wage in the beginning can increase your chances of making bigger dollars later.

2. Talk money with your friends: Ask your friends what they’re making and share what you’re making. The more you know, the better you can discuss the pay you deserve. Knowledge=Power

3. Know your role - and put it on paper: When you have your role in writing, it’s easier to see if your employer is taking advantage of you. If your responsibilities are changing, that may be an opportunity to ask for more money!

4. Get those receipts ready: If discrimination is happening to you or someone at work, write it down. If it looks like sexual harassment, uncomfortable power dynamics, or anything else that doesn’t feel right… Write. It. Down. If needed, talk to a supervisor or a trusted adult  – you have rights!

5. Join the movement to demand higher wages and equal pay! Use #EqualPayDay and connect with organizations like the National Partnership for Women & Families (@NPWF). People of all genders can listen to and support each other to close the gap. Without action, women and men will not be paid equally until at least 2059^****. And you’ll probably be retired by then.

Compiled with the support of The National Partnership for Women & Families and Dr. Yasemin Besen-Cassino.

Sources:

** “The Cost of Being a Girl”  by Dr. Yasemin Besen-Cassino

*** “The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations” by Francine D. Blau Lawrence M. Kahn

**** “Projected Year the Wage Gap Will Close by State” by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research

Muslim Women’s Day is an essential time to celebrate the diversity of Muslim womanhood in the context of Women’s History Month. Blair Imani has curated this list of Muslim women who are using their skills to change the landscape of representation.

Ikhlas Saleem & Makkah Ali

Atlanta raised Wellesley College graduates, Ikhlas Salmeem & Makkah Ali, are the creators of Identity Politics – a podcast that features new stories and perspectives about race, gender and Muslim life in America.

Taylor Amari Little

Known online as “Controversial Tay”, Taylor Amari Little is a Black queer Muslim femme activist working in sexual health education and LGBTQ rights.

Mahdia Lynn

Mahdia Lynn is the co-founder of Masjid al-Rabia, a Chicago-based mosque providing support for women and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Aamina Khan

Aamina Khan, a queer Pakistani Muslim woman, is the social media manager at Conde Nast’s first ever LGBTQ centering brand, Them.

Fawzia Mirza

Pakistani lesbian actor, producer, and comedian, Fawzia Mizra uses her innate talent for storytelling to build understanding and breakdown stereotypes.

Han Angus

Han Angus is a British writer and the editor in chief of Nerdy PoC, a publication dedicated to representation in media for people of color.

Miski Muse

Miski Muse is a fashion model, student, and writer from Indianapolis. You can read her work in Vogue and Refinery 29! #MuslimWomensDay

Rana Abdelhamid

Rana Abdelhamid is an internationally recognized activist specializing in women’s empowerment and self defense. She is the founder of WISE, an organization that seeks to empower Muslim women, and hails from NY. #MuslimWomensDay 

Donya Nasser

Donya Nasser is an Iranian American activist specializing in international affairs, wellness, and reproductive health. She serves on the board of Planned Parenthood!! #MuslimWomensDay