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The Society for Human Rights
The creation of the Society for Human Rights, a bisexual-exclusive Chicago-based gay non-profit group with a secretly bisexual vice-president. See Entry 1. Image Description: Plaque in front of the home of Henry Gerber, founder of the Society, detailing the home's use in meetings. -
The Student Homophile League
The recognition of Columbia University's Student Homophile League marks the beginning of the official recognition of the first LGBT organization on a college campus. It's founder was a bisexual man prominent in bisexual activism in the 70s and 80s. See Entry 2. Image Description: A clipping from the university's newspaper advertising an interview with the president of the Student Homophile League. -
Christopher Street Liberation Day March
A year after the Stonewall Riots, the Christopher Street Liberation Day March (on the same street as the inn) is organized by bisexual activist and “Mother of Pride” Brenda Howard, known as such for her role in planning many such events. See Entry 3. Image Description: The 2016 NYC pride parade passes in front of Stonewall on Christopher Street. Modern pride, especially pride parades and marches, finds its roots back in Brenda Howard's activism. -
National Bisexual Liberation Group
The National Bisexual Liberation Group is formed. There are thousands of active members and newsletter readers at its peak in the mid 1970s. See Entry 4. Image Description: Bisexual Pride marchers from the New York Area Bisexual Network, an organization that took influence from the NBLG and was formed by Brenda Howard, eternal bisexual activist. -
Ithaca Statement on Bisexuality
The Quaker Society of Friends, led by Stephen Donaldson releases the first religious statement not only addressing, but supporting bisexuality and condemning biphobia. See Entry 5. Image Description: Stephen "Donny the Punk" Donaldson, the aforementioned organizer of Columbia's homophile league and creator of a surprisingly popular workshop at the conference that led to the release of the statement. -
San Francisco Bisexual Center
The San Francisco Bisexual Center was one of the first bisexual-specific organizations on the West coast. Throughout its time in the late 70s and early 80s, it served the community through volunteer activism. See Entry 6. Image Description: A Newspaper clipping showing the three directors of the Bisexual Center. -
Alexei Guren and the Gay Teen Task Force
After Anita Bryant spearheaded the effort to repeal employment protection for LGBT workers, the entire movement reacted, including Alexei Guren, a longtime activist who got his start forming the Gay Teen Task Force. See Entry 7. Image Description: The logo for PrideLines, the LGBT youth organization that the Gay Teen Task Force eventually grew into. -
The Bisexual Option
The release of the book the Bisexual Option by Dr. Fritz Klein marked the first mainstream psychological analysis of bisexuality in society that wasn't openly derisive or homo- or biphobic. See Entry 8. Image Description: The rare cover of the first 1978 edition of the book (a second was released in 1993). On the cover, Klein uses the given name Fred. -
BiPol
The formation of the first politically-focused bisexual organization in the United States, one of BiPol's main goals was the creation and consolidation of a national bisexual community that could be used as political leverage for advocacy. See entry 9. Image Description: Hawaiian bisexual activist Lani Ka'ahumanu. Another active bisexual advocate of color, she was also active in the feminist, anti-racist, and anti-colonialism movements. -
Bi Men in San Francisco HIV & AIDS Statistics
Prior to 1984, bisexual men aren't mentioned or included in the San Francisco Department of health's HIV and AIDS statistics--this is changed after a two year battle with BiPol activist Dr. David Lourea. See Entry 10. Image Description: Quick statistics from the 2016 HIV progress report in San Francisco, including multiple sexualities and ethnicities. -
Misrepresentation of Bi Men in the AIDS Crisis
During the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, misinformation spread quickly, especially homophobic and biphobic demonization. It wasn't just your bigot neighbor, though--big-name publications were participating, as well. See Entry 11. Image Description: The January 1988 cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, featuring a gorgeous picture of Cindy Crawford and the headline for a scientifically inaccurate article about AIDS. -
Removal of "Bi Men: Fact or Fiction" from Harvey Milk High School Curriculum
When an LGBT-friendly high school was going to host a workshop about how bi men maaaay or may not have been lying about their sexuality, a bisexual organization had to step in and tell the institution why that was biphobic. See Entry 12. Image Description: The front of Harvey Milk High School, where the workshop was to take place. -
1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Rights and Liberation
Thanks to the valiant efforts of Lani Ka'ahumanu and other bi activists, bisexual people were represented at this march. See Entry 13. Image Description: Two marchers in Washington DC in the midst of the March. -
Creation of the Bi Pride Flag
The bisexual pride flag was created by Michael Page and unveiled during the first anniversary of the BiCafe, finally giving the community a widespread, physical symbol to gather under. See Entry 14. Image Description: The bi pride flag. Magenta and blue represent the original colors used by the community while purple represents the overlap between them. -
Bi Visibility Day
Originally called Celebrate Bisexuality Day, it was first observed at an International Lesbian and Gay conference. While it was quick to catch on in areas with large, outspoken bi populations, it gains more traction as every year passes. See Entry 15. Image Description: The Logo for what was then known as the International Lesbian and Gay Association. Nowadays, the name is more inclusive, and it's the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association.
