How Can It Be Bisexual+ History If No One Is Bisexual?

Let's talk about the complexities of bisexual+ identity and its historical context! We explore how to identify bisexual+ history, the evolution of language and identity, and the importance of recognising fluidity in historical narratives. Personal stories from the bi+ community highlight the significance of representation and the interconnectedness of LGBTQ+ histories. 

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This is an independently recorded and produced podcast. Hosted, written, and produced by Mel Reeve. Music by Mel Reeve.

Transcript

Welcome to another episode of the Bi History Podcast. I'm your host, Mel Reeve. And today we're getting deep into the intersections of bisexual plus identity and history with a question. How can it be bisexual history if no one actually identifies as bisexual? This question speaks to a broader challenge in understanding LGBTQ plus history. The ways that language, identity and erasure shape our ability to connect.

with the past. While some parts of bisexual plus history are easy to identify, such as activists and groups who explicitly use the term bisexual, much of our history is hidden in plain sight, embedded in the experiences of individuals who didn't or couldn't use these words to describe themselves. Together, we'll explore how we can recognize bisexual plus history, even when the word itself isn't present, and why it's so essential to do so

with care and respect. We'll look at some examples, including Jeremy Magazine, a gay lifestyle publication from the 1970s, to uncover moments of fluid sexuality and connection that are deeply linked with the bisexual plus community today. Through these stories, we'll explore how our understanding of identity has evolved and how LGBTQ plus histories remain intertwined. Later in this episode, I'll be sharing stories submitted by you.

our listeners and members of the Biplus community. Now, on with the episode.

Mel Reeve (02:08.526)
A challenge you will face when exploring queer history is how to identify when something could be considered bisexual plus history. How do we know when we're looking at bisexual plus history if no one identifies themselves as bisexual plus? Some parts of our community's history are easy to identify. The activists and community groups who named themselves as bisexual can be found and explored with some basic research skills and access to resources. This makes it possible

to refute claims that bisexual plus people have not historically been active members of the LGBTQ plus community and involved with queer activism. But what about when bisexuality is less visible? Many of the records we rely on to uncover LGBTQ plus history, police documents, court cases or press coverage were written from the perspective of those in power, often with bias and erasure. This is particularly true for bisexual plus people whose existence is frequently sidelined or misunderstood.

from both within and outside the LGBTQ plus community. So how do we navigate this? One approach is to analyze patterns and behaviors rather than rely solely on explicit labels. For instance, looking for the existence of multi-gender relationships, expressions of desire or community building can provide clues to bi-plus histories that might otherwise be overlooked. The way that we explain our identities now where we choose a label

and use this to explain ourselves is a relatively recent phenomenon. It is important to bear in mind how this influences our understanding of our queer histories. Language changes and evolves, and when we look at a historical record, we often bring our own preconceptions which may need to be challenged. It is impossible to neatly categorize gay history as one separate phenomenon. Just as it is impossible to carve out solely bisexual history,

Human identity, love and self-expression have existed in the forms we now understand as LGBTQ +, across time and place, and so are not always neatly categorised. Our histories are intertwined, as people have fought for their rights and lived and loved together. Unfortunately, I have seen first-hand in my work as an archivist how bisexual-plus people can be erased from LGBTQ-plus records. Unless the word bisexual is specifically identified,

Mel Reeve (04:32.31)
or even used at all, parts of our community's history can be overlooked or erased. Identifying pieces of bi plus history where the word bisexual is not used must be done carefully. Just as it is not acceptable to decide for someone else how they should label their sexuality now, we can't go around doing this for people who have gone before, no matter how long ago they lived. Yet it is still important to be able to research and identify bi plus history. So how do we do this?

The inspiration and primary source for this episode came after reading a really great piece by Ashley Craig which was written for the Bishopsgate Institute blog. In it we explore Jeremy, a subscription-only British gay lifestyle magazine that ran from 1969. One reader felt that it was an attempt to provide the gay world with a magazine of its own. My attention was drawn by an article on the front cover of Jeremy Magazine issue 7 with the title, Girls on the Gay Scene. I immediately suspected

This implied the piece contained some relevance to Bi plus history. The 1970 article features an interview by Peter Burton with two young women about their experiences being part of the gay scene in London. Both have been involved in the community there for many years. These days, he writes, sex isn't an exclusive province for either boys and girls, girls and girls, or boys and boys. Recognizing a growing awareness of sexual fluidity within the gay scene.

and a hint at what is to come. The article, however, is mainly focused on the idea that these women are part of a predominantly gay male environment, implying to some degree that they are transgressing into a world that is not their own. The first interviewee, Iris, is 20 years old and describes how she has had relationships with men and women. She says,

and discovered I had lesbian tendencies. She sees herself as a real part of the scene socially, but is hesitant when it comes to her own identity, saying, Meanwhile, the other interviewee, Pam, is 22, and came to be part of the community because she worked with, as she referred to it, two dykes.

Mel Reeve (06:59.64)
who got her involved. Her dad and older brother are identified as queer and gay respectively. She shares her thoughts about the experiences of the men on the scene and their potential orientations. In one venue that she describes as horrific, she shares that she was told to leave after being quote, told off for being close to her brother. Presumably the hostility is aimed at them because they have been assumed to be a different gender quote, straight couple. Pam does not speak of her own experiences in as much detail as Iris.

but she feels confident that most men have the potential to experience multigender attraction, saying, nearly every boy must be gay. They must have a little bit of it in them. The individuals in this interview do not describe themselves as bisexual plus, but they clearly show experiences of fluid sexuality that many bisexual, pansexual, or other sexually fluid people would identify with. From Iris' hesitation to describe herself as an active part of the gay scene, despite multiple relationships with women,

to Pam's experience of feeling unwelcome in a bar because she was perceived to be in different gender relationship. These experiences form part of queer history, and perhaps more specifically, the history of the bi plus community. We do not have to label either of the women as bisexual to recognize this. How they identify themselves and understand their own identities is valid and valuable, and is also in of itself an experience that many questioning people would recognize.

It would be just as fair to say that these experiences are part of the lesbian or gay community, which takes us back to my earlier point about how LGBTQ plus history is intertwined. This does not mean that we diminish anyone's experiences or identities when we recognize bi plus history. Instead, we are left with a more rounded and inclusive understanding of our community's past. Understanding bi plus history means embracing the fluidity and complexity of identity.

In many times, people didn't have or didn't use language that aligns with today's terms like bisexual, pansexual or queer. Instead, their experiences, relationships and self-expression reflected fluid attraction without neat labels. Iris and Pam didn't call themselves bisexual, yet their narratives resonate deeply with bi-part experiences today. Iris describes her relationships with both men and women navigating social spaces that didn't feel accepting of her fluidity.

Mel Reeve (09:25.496)
Pam reflects on multigender attraction and the broader dynamics of the community around her. These stories illustrate how historical experiences can align with modern biplus realities, even when the terminology doesn't match up. They remind us that identity often exists outside rigid definitions and is shaped by context, culture, and personal understanding. It's so important to recognize that LGBTQ plus histories are deeply intertwined. The stories of biplus people

are not separate from the narratives of gay, lesbian or transgender communities. In fact, as we've discussed, they often overlap in ways that make them inseparable. Another example of this is that the Biplus community has been deeply involved in queer activism, yet our contributions are often categorized under broader LGBTQ plus movements, rather than being explicitly recognized as Biplus history. Highlighting these intersections allows us to appreciate the collective power of the community.

but we also want to ensure that individual identities are acknowledged. Why does this effort to identify bi-plus history matter so much? Because representation is vital. Knowing that people like us existed throughout history is validating and empowering. It helps us see ourselves as part of a long, rich legacy of resilience, love, and self-expression. When we uncover these stories, we're not just looking to the past, we're also shaping how we see bi-plus identities now.

By celebrating our history, we ensure that the contributions and experiences of 5 plus people are less likely to be forgotten.

Mel Reeve (11:12.398)
As we explore today's topic, I want to ensure that the voices of the Biplus community remain at the heart of our podcast. That's why, in every episode, we dedicate a special segment to stories submitted by you, our listeners, our community, and fellow Biplus individuals. These personal stories bring history to life in ways that are deeply personal and also connect to the broader themes we discuss. Whether we're hearing reflections on people's journeys with bisexuality,

moments of historical significance that they've witnessed, or the challenges that they've experienced. These stories remind us that our history is living and breathing. So now let's turn to those voices of our community and hear the stories you've shared with us. Marley. Marley, whose pronouns are she, her, submitted this. My biggest joy in being bi is that I live a human centered life filled with so much diversity. A challenge I've experienced as a bi person

has been passing through gay and lesbian histories, in which some perspectives value centering one gender or experience over another, which is a perspective that doesn't resonate with me. I love being a bi person with friends and lovers of all genders and sexualities. I find that it brings me a wider perspective on the world and deepens my value and understanding for all people, especially those different from myself. I first realized I was bi around age 14 when I became acutely aware of my attraction to men and women.

Prior to that, I had moments in which I recognized my attraction to just men or just women, but it wasn't until later that I accepted all of my attractions and realized that meant I was bi. As time went on, I learned more about gender and its expansiveness, shifting my understanding of bisexuality to be totally non-binary. When I was 16, I discovered a book at a used bookstore called Bisexuality and Feminism, which was an anthology of diverse bi people's stories. It was life-changing to hear from so many different bi people

with completely different backgrounds, stories and experiences, most of which diverged from a binary perspective of man or woman, gay or straight. It opened up my mind to what my life could look like in practice. Bi history means that we have always existed for as long as humanity has. It's so life-affirming, seeing that bisexuality is rooted innately in our human nature and always has been. It's not some new concept or agenda, but a product of the complexity of humanity, our attractions.

Mel Reeve (13:36.982)
and our ability to connect with each other intimately, regardless of our body parts or societally defined identities. Bi history means there were people that lived a rich life of bi attraction and relationships that came before me, inspiring me to do the same. Senga, whose pronouns are she they, shared this. My biggest joy is the community. My biggest challenge is also the community. I experienced a surprising amount of biphobia and invalidation when at a sapphic pride weekend event. I love women.

and I'm not going to deny that my attraction expands beyond just one gender binary just because it makes it more complicated. Dating men is a bit more of a struggle though because I do want them to validate my identity as a queer person. They have to prove to me that they will stand up for me and my community and show that they have done enough self-reflecting to be with someone like me. I don't want to do the work for them. Worm, whose pronouns are he-day, said this.

It's my ability to love and to not put a label as to why I do. I simply just love. The biggest joy has been finding my partner who's also bi. Being in a bi-for-bi relationship as both non-binary people has opened up such a beautiful world of loving and expressing, no matter how either of us identify or express our genders. It's beautiful and gay. The biggest challenge has been the erasure and the in-community discourse about what it means to be bi. Being bi is not transphobic. I'm literally trans.

Why the fuck does it matter what my sexuality means to me when there are much bigger issues? Being bi is also part of an umbrella of other identities. So shut the fuck up. It doesn't matter. I started toying with the idea of bisexuality, but due to my family being conservative, I pushed away for years until I couldn't anymore. I finally accepted myself in 2020. At the beginning, I was so scared of being gay that I had such a small idea of it. I thought being bi means loving boy and girl over time.

and with new gender discoveries, it's become so much more. Being bisexual is loving people of multiple slash all genders, including trans people. We exist. We have always existed. We will always exist. They can't take away our ability to love. There will always be love. Bi people love the hardest. Katie, whose pronouns are she, her, told us this. Being bisexual plus means that I see myself capable of falling in love with and having relationships

Mel Reeve (16:02.968)
with people regardless of their gender. The biggest joys have been finding community online, as well as the relief that the way I was feeling was real, that I wasn't straight. The biggest challenges have been the rampant biphobia in the queer community. It breaks my heart that after many years of being confused about my sexuality, I was rejected by others in the queer community for not being, quote, queer enough. Bisexual history means a lot because I think it's easy for bisexuals to be erased.

since we live in such a monosexual-focused society. And of course, bisexuals are always accused of just going through a phase until they realize they're either straight or gay. When I was growing up, bisexual women in particular were accused of identifying as bisexual just because it was trendy. I think that having access to bi plus history is important to disproving these theories.

Mel Reeve (17:05.72)
Bi plus history is rich and nuanced, shaped by individuals who often lived in the margins of language and identity. Queer history isn't just a collection of labels, but a lens through which we view identity and human experience in all its interconnected fluid complexity. By recognising and honouring these stories, even when the word bisexual is absent, we not only deepen our understanding of the past, but also affirm the validity of all the ways people navigate and express their identities.

This approach doesn't diminish other LGBTQ plus histories. Instead, it expands and enriches our shared narrative, ensuring that no part of our community is erased or overlooked. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, let's keep on covering, celebrating, and preserving the diverse stories that shape who we are as a queer community. If you've enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone else who might love it too. Until next time, I'm Mel, and this is By History.

You can find more from BiHistory on social media at bihistory or at bihistory.com