Bi+ Allyship 101: Understanding and Supporting People Who Are Bi+

The LGBTQ+ community is inclusive of many, but too often certain letters are less visible. As allies become increasingly educated about the LGBTQ+ community and feel more comfortable in these spaces and in this advocacy, there is still an unfortunate lack of representation and understanding of the bisexual+ community. Please join PFLAG National to learn more about the largest identity group within the LGBTQ community-- people who can form attraction to more than one gender. We’ll help you understand why it’s so important to understand and respect bi+ people, and give you some tools to be a great bi+ ally (a bialy, even!) And we’ll help you get connected with organizations led by, and resources created for, individuals and communities with bisexual+ identities.

In this session, participants will:

Review terminology around sexual and romantic orientation, gender identity and expression

Learn terminology for various bisexual+ identities/labels that you may hear

Consider statistics about the bisexual+ communities and the disparities that they face

Discuss questions to ask yourself on your journey to being a better bi+ ally, and identify inclusive resources to continue your learning

Mackenzie Harte (they/them)

Learning & Inclusion Manager

PFLAG National

Mackenzie Harte is the Learning & Inclusion Manager at PFLAG National, contributing to a team that has trained tens of thousands of allies since Mackenzie started in March of 2021. Prior to their time at PFLAG, Mackenzie worked with the GLAAD Media Institute to train over 12,000 activists and advocates across the globe, as well as managing Bisexual+ Awareness Week (#BiWeek) in 2019 and 2020. Mackenzie currently resides in New York City with their cat Saoirse, and is a (song)writer and staunch devotee of Carly Rae Jepsen in their spare time.

Jamie Curtis (she/her)

Vice President, Chapter & Communities Engagement

PFLAG National

Jamie Curtis joined PFLAG in May 2003. She is PFLAG’s Director of Chapter Engagement responsible for working with chapters throughout the United States and overseeing the Chapter Engagement team. Prior to serving as the Director of Chapter Engagement, Jamie served as Field & Policy Manager working with chapters in the eastern region and she began her tenure at PFLAG National as a Field and Policy Associate helping to manage chapter services. Before coming to PFLAG, Jamie gained experience by working with underprivileged youth in Washington, D.C. Jamie graduated from American University with a bachelor’s degree in international relations. Jamie hails from Auburn, New York.