Being Seen: A Spotlight on Bi+ Inclusion in the Workplace

Join us on Bisexual Visibility Day for the publication launch of “Being Seen: A Spotlight on Bi+ Inclusion in the Workplace”.

Bi+ people represent the largest group within the LGBTQ community yet remain largely underrepresented in Australian workplaces and do not experience belonging to the same extent as other diverse sexualities. Despite substantial improvements and overall workforce support in workplace inclusion practices for people of diverse sexualities and genders, Bi+ people are still under supported, underrepresented and therefore, made invisible.

Pride in Diversity and Pride in Health + Wellbeing invite you to join us on Bisexual Visibility Day for the publication launch of “Being Seen: A Spotlight on Bi+ Inclusion in the Workplace”. Sponsored by EY, this guide is the first of its kind to represent the experience of Bi+ employees in Australia and aims to highlight key disparities between Bi+ and gay/lesbian employees, equip employers with knowledge of specific challenges faced by the Bi+ community, and provide key recommendations and suggestions to make work environments more inclusive of Bi+ people.

Please join us for the livestream launch of “Being Seen: A Spotlight on Bi+ Inclusion in the Workplace” on Friday 23rd September 2022 from 12:30pm-1:30pm AEST.

Did someone say #BeingSeen viewing party?

To celebrate Bisexual Visibility Day and the launch of the Being Seen publication, we’re encouraging organisations and networks to get together to host a #BeingSeen viewing party! Whether it’s an in-person gathering in your office or a virtual viewing party, we want to see you in all your Bi+ visibility – think shades of pink, purple and blue, cuffing your jeans, and finding new fun ways to sit in chairs!

Be sure to share photos of your viewing party with us on social media by tagging Pride in Diversity and using the hashtag #BeingSeen.

Do you want to be known as a bi-stander, rather than a bystander?

On Friday 23rd September, pledge your commitment to Bi+ inclusion and being a Bi+ ally on social media by tagging Pride in Diversity and using the hashtag #BiYourSide. We encourage Bi+ allies to commit to:

• Sharing why you’re a Bi+ ally

• Celebrating and empowering Bi+ identities and experiences

• Challenging Bi+ stereotypes and misconceptions

But wait, there’s more!

Soundtrack your celebrations on Bisexual Visibility Day with “Being Seen”, a specially curated Spotify playlist by our resident bi-con and Senior Relationship Manager, Ellie Watts (she/they).

Being Seen playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/414JHqhO7XwgrMgtWgo4Il?si=7b444cbe749647f8

LinkedIn: Pride in Diversity | Facebook: Pride in Diversity | Instagram: @prideindiversityau

Guest speakers include:

Catherina Behan (she/her)

Group Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Suncorp

Catherina is an out and proud queer, neurodivergent, disabled woman living on unceded Gadigal country. She has worked in Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) for over 15 years in Europe and Australia, and currently heads up the D&I portfolio for Suncorp Group across Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Inclusion is not just a ‘day job’ for Catherina, it is core to her identity and informs her work in community and activism outside of the Board room. As a queer woman with disabilities, Catherina lives firmly in the intersections. She is committed to making space for all diverse stories, increasing corporate knowledge of intersectionality, and enabling workplaces to reach their full inclusive potential.

Steve Spencer (he/him)

Bi+ and HIV Advocate

Steve Spencer is a Director of NAPWHA, the peak organisation representing all people living with HIV in Australia, a Community Ambassador of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, and he co-founded Sydney Bi+ Network’s HIV Project and community health organisation PrEPaccessNOW, spearheading Australia’s world-leading PrEP rollout. He also operates a small business, running a recruitment company with offices across Australia and New Zealand.

Steve’s collaborative attitude and dedication to health equity and helping improve the health and wellbeing of his communities are demonstrated in his approach to bringing together community, researchers, policymakers, service providers, and health promotion. Steve co-chaired Australia’s first Bi+ Symposium at an ASHM conference, and as co-creator and Lead Investigator on Australia’s first comprehensive research on the sexual health and HIV needs of bi+ people, has helped create novel models of bi+ community-led research.

A bisexual person living with HIV himself, Steve’s fearless advocacy and leadership within the bi+ community and the HIV sector have led efforts to combat biphobia, bi-erasure, HIV stigma, and discrimination and he was recently recognised for this work with an ACON Honour award.

Kanisha Diwaker (she/her)

Advisor, Disability Inclusion, NSW Department of Education

Kanisha Diwakar (she/her) is a queer/bisexual woman of colour who has dedicated her personal and professional life to creating an environment where people from all walks of life feel safe, included, and empowered. Although she has worked in different industries, Kanisha enjoys working in government where she can shape D&I policy for the public servants that reflect the community they serve.

Curious, inquisitive, and forthright, Kanisha thrives on community discussion especially when talking about the impacts of unearned advantages and disadvantages of diverse identities. A life-long learner, she is always in pursuit of more knowledge.