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Celebrating , Pansexuality, and Fluidity Bi Visibility Day—September 23, 2012

Sponsored by the Meto State Universit & alit Stdent Serices Office

Metro Spotlight on Trenda Boyum-Breen

This year marks the 13th anniversary of Bi Visibility Day (or Celebrate Bisexuality Day) and Trenda Boyum‐Breen, Metro’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, has a long list of things she is celebrang.

“Being a mother is most important. All specve in life.” In addion to celebrang Trenda came of age in the ‘80’s, where the other idenes mesh together to daily gis, Trenda also has concerns about described the blurring of gen‐ make me the I am.” As a well‐ today’s society and the implicaons for der and sexuality occurring during this respected leader, loving partner, out‐and‐ her family. She is concerned about the me. In a me where “any love is good proud bisexual woman, and somemes a love,” Trenda could date both women and golfer, Trenda wears many hats in her safety of LGBTQ kids and parcularly the men and “be honest about it.” Given this daily life. She reiterates the importance implicaons of the current marriage context, she also never had to label her of motherhood: “My daughters have amendment. “That people would go as sexuality. The end of Trenda’s 12‐year pushed me to define myself; to put my far to exclude rights rather than expand marriage to her husband prompted a me money where my mouth is.” Trenda them” is disconcerng. Seeing her first of empowerment and her aendance at a glows with pride when she speaks of her BECAUSE conference (Bisexual Empower‐ wife, Shelly, and her two college‐aged Vote Yes sign in a neighbor’s front yard ment Conference: A Uning, Supporve daughters, Savana and Sydney. It has had a personal impact on her inially, Experience) in the Twin Cies was a point always been important for her to live leaving her concerned about the negave of realizaon where Trenda discovered “out” and be open about her sexuality. influence these messages have for her “Hey, that’s me…I’m bisexual.” Trenda As a same‐sex household, family life is daughters and other kids with same‐sex feels that is has been important for her to and has been a delicate balancing act, one live “out” rather than . When in which Trenda and her partner are com‐ parents. “A marriage is a marriage, other parents in her community mistaken‐ mied to promong an open environ‐ whether you’re married to a or to a ly reference Trenda and her partner as ment for dialogue. Finding the balance of woman. You have bills to pay and there being “ moms,” Trenda ensures being “out” has oen been accompanied are sll hard conversaons to be had they are aware that she idenfies as bi‐ by the careful consideraon of their about child raising.” She emphasizes the sexual. She feels that this clarity and visi‐ daughters’ experiences of being “out” as bility are important, stang “When it is having two moms. As parents, the ques‐ unique role she can hold as a peacemaker safe, say it out, you’re creang on that remained central to this balanc‐ given that she has experienced both types safe spaces for others.” ing act was: “When is it our story and of relaonships and can speak to the lack when is it their story?” of core differences between the two. “I “A marriage is a marriage, can see the beauty in men and women. I Trenda integrates appreciaon and re‐ whether you’re married to a can interpret and act as a bridge for those man or to a woman.” flecon in her daily life. Both Trenda and who struggle with . I am Shelly write daily journal entries of three grateful that I can be out and share these things they are thankful for, as well as experiences…to make peace.” At the very top of her priories and cen‐ saying thanks as a family before dinner. tral to her identy is her role as a mother. “I live my life grateful; it’s almost a per‐

This flyer is available in alternate text format upon request. Contact [email protected] or 651‐793‐1540 (voice) 2 of 2 Myths About Bisexuality

Source: hp://www.bridgew.edu/glbta/pdfs/BiMythsFacts.pdf Resources in the Twin Cities

 Metropolitan State University—Gender and Sexuality Student Services Office Website: Metro State GSSSO Facebook Group: Metro State Gender & Sexuality Student Services Twitter: @MetroGSSSO Office: St. Paul Campus, 700 East 7th St., Founders Hall 240C Phone: (651) 793-1544

 The BECAUSE Conference Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experiences an annual event for bisexuals, , non-monosexuals, the bi-curious or questioning, and all allies, regardless of sexual or . Website: http://www.becauseconference.org/default.html Email: [email protected]

 Bisexual Organizing Project A non-profit social & service organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Minnesota and providing resources and information to the community at large. Website: http://www.bisexualorganizingproject.org

Magpie Luck: Stories of a Time Traveler By Katie Sekelsky

hp://magpieluck.com/?p=481

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