From Susan Sarandon solidifying herself as a bi icon to this year’s Bi Pride UK, here are some of our highlights
BY KATE STRONG, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM (@BIPRIDEUK)
Bi Pride has been booming in 2022, from on our screens to seeing celebs voice their Pride. Here are some of the top moments our community has seen this year.
Rocky Horror Picture Show star, Susan Sarandon casually said “I’m bi”
Legendary actor, Susan Sarandon, came out in an interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. When talking about her son suggesting she get a cat after the passing of her beloved dog she says, “I’m bi so…” before Jimmy cuts her off to ask whether she was referring to pets or partners. Sarandon replies “I’m fluid. I’m very fluid when animals are concerned, I’ve had cats before, then I had dogs, and now I have cats.” Throughout her career, Sarandon has been a very vocal LGBTQIA rights activist and has previously described her sexuality as “open.” The 75-year-old American actor is well-known for her role as Louise in Thelma and Louise and for playing Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Love Island USA casting an openly bisexual islander
Courtney Boerner proudly entered Casa Amor as an openly bisexual islander. In past series, Love Island USA has welcomed other bi islanders Leslie Golden and Kyra Green. We have only ever seen one same-sex coupling on the UK series and since then ITV commissioner, Amanda Stavri, claimed LGBTQIA couples would cause a “logistical difficulty” to the show although showrunners have said they want to be more diverse. While on the show Boerner was met with support from the other girls in the manor and has gone on to say that she hopes Love Island USA casts more bisexual islanders.
Victoria Scone and River Medway headlined Bi Pride UK 2022
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars, Victoria Scone took to the stage in London to headline Bi Pride this year. They were joined by other performers such as comedian and drag king Kemah Bob. The event was hosted by the Cocoa Butter Club’s founder Sadie Sinner. The event saw many different talks with an array of panellists such as bi writer Joey Talison and founder of Medway Pride Radio, Shea Coffey.
Nick Nelson’s story on Heartstopper
Fans of the graphic novel series Heartstopper were delighted to see their beloved characters make it on screen. Kit Connor (known for his role as Elton John’s younger self in Rocketman) beautifully portrays the story of Nick Nelson’s self-discovery, romance and coming out making viewers hearts melt. The show did an excellent job of making the story relatable and emotional for many bisexual fans.
Dr Julia Shaw released her latest book examining her bisexuality
Dr Julia Shaw is a psychological scientist at University College London and a BBC science communicator. She is the author of multiple best-selling books on false memory and criminal psychology, but she has now turned her pen to bisexuality. Bi: The Hidden Culture, History And Science Of Bisexuality draws on her own experiences and celebrates the identity she believes is still marginalised and forgotten. Dr Shaw has a MA in queer history and founded the Bisexual Research Group in 2020. She has hosted the BBC podcast Bi People with queer comedian, Sophie Hagan, discussing subjects from her book to celebrate pride.
Bisexual Awareness Week,#BiWeek, is 16-23 Sept. It is an extension of Celebrate Bisexuality Day, #bivisibilityday, on 23 Sept
— Dr Julia Shaw 🏳️🌈 (@drjuliashaw) September 15, 2022
It’s a week of bi pride. A bi-phoric embrace. And a reminder to fight for love around the 🌏
To celebrate I made you some loud (& 1 quiet) bi banners 💕 pic.twitter.com/BUtYTm4zvr
Former Miss Universe Australia, Maria Thattil, came out as bi
Maria Thattil came out as bisexual back in January on an episode of Australia’s version of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. She confessed she had buried the part of her attracted to women, after the episode aired, she shared on Instagram how her gay brother helped her accept herself. The former Miss Universe Australia is a second generation Australian and born to Indian parents, alongside her modelling career she is known for her activism. Since coming out, she and her brother have partnered with Sydney Mardi Gras and OLAY to launch a campaign destigmatising LGBTQIA issues.
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