The Rainbow Resource Centre envisions a society There is no right or wrong way of being a in which diverse sexual and gender identities are bisexual person. Stereotypes often portray included, valued and celebrated as a result of our or dictate what society thinks bisexual indi- active commitment to promote and maintain dignity, viduals should look like and how they should human freedoms and human rights. BISEXUAL act. For instance, some people believe that The Rainbow Resource Centre is a non-profit, bisexuals are promiscuous “fence sitters” community-based charitable organization that An individual who is emotionally, who are “just experimenting,” or are con- serves as the central agency offering support, physically, and/or sexually fused about their sexual orientation. Stereo- information, counselling, referrals, library, and types can be hurtful. There is no “bisexual public awareness on issues related to sexual attracted to both males/men and orientation, gender diversity, and anti-homophobia code” to abide by. education. females/women
- Adapted from the Trans-Academics “LGBRRSQI Terminology.” How do you know? Subtle or strong indica- http://www.trans-academics.org/lgbttsqiterminology.pdf, (2006). tions, like sexual feelings or attractions, may CONTACT US appear out of no where, causing a person to
General Inquiries: (204) 474.0212 Ext. 201 question their sexual orientation. Others, may [email protected] not have to question this attraction because fax: (204) 478.1160 Some are Bisexual, they ‘just know.’
Counselling: (204) 474.0212 Ext. 201 Others are Pansexual Questioning your sexual orientation is [email protected] completely normal and natural, along with Address: 170 Scott Street PANSEXUAL: A sexual orientation character- the uncertainty and fear that comes with it. Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 0L3 ized by a potential emotional attraction, ro- Those questioning their sexual orientation mantic love and/or sexual desire for any- can feel different from others - and may feel The Rainbow Resource Centre is open: body, including people who do not fit into alienated or excluded. Monday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm the gender binary of male/female implied by Wednesday 10:00 pm to 5:00 pm bisexual attraction. There is no test that will indicate if a per- Thursday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm son is bisexual or not. An individual must Friday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Pansexuality is sometimes described as the figure it out for themselves. (closed weekends and statutory holidays) capacity to love a person romantically irre-
spective of gender. Some pansexuals also There doesn’t need to be a rush to cate- Please visit our website: assert that gender and sex are meaningless to gorize, identify, or label one self. Each www.rainbowresourcecentre.org them. Pansexuality may also be known as individual discovers their own sexual orienta- ‘fluidity’ and ‘omnisexuality.’ tion and identity at their own pace. Some may embrace and others may deny their at- - Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. “Pansexuality.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pansexuality (2006). tractions. For individuals who want to learn more.
2012 Where are they? Myth: Bisexuals are promiscuous. Some bisexual folks may feel the pressure to Nine Circles Community Health Centre: conform to heterosexuality or homosexuality (204) 940.6000 or 1.888.305.8627 Bisexual individuals are everywhere – in every Bisexuality does not imply promiscuity. because of these false ideas. There is no need to (Toll free in Manitoba) community, job industry, culture, age group, gen- Like people of any other sexual orientation, conform. A person’s sexual orientation is what it STI Info: 945.2437 (in Winnipeg) or der, religion, and socioeconomic position. . bisexual individuals may engage in a variety of is and it is theirs to identify. Toll free 1.800.782.2437 sexual expressions. This may (or may not) in- www.ninecircles.ca
Unfortunately, biphobia and homophobia often clude monogamy, polyamory, casual sexual part- COMMUNITY RESOURCES: ners, and/or abstinence. For those with more SERC (Sexuality Education Resource Centre): makes it difficult to acknowledge this part of than one sexual partner, these partners may or (204) 982.7800 (Winnipeg) ourselves. However difficult it may be, it is im- Local Links: may not all be of the same sex/gender. Not all (204) 727.0417 (Brandon) portant to note that denying ones sexual orienta- www.serc.mb.ca tion may lead to increased mental and physical folks who engage in sexual activities with male- L*ACE: lesbian social group that participates identified or female-identified individuals identi- health risks including self-loathing, depression, in Winnipeg’s arts, culture, and The Facts of Life Line: 947.9222 (Winnipeg) or fy as being bisexual; they may identify as decreased self-esteem, isolation, self-destructive entertainment scene. Toll free 1.800.432.1957 “straight,” “sexual,” or feel a label is unneces- behavior such as substance abuse, and unsafe or http://acelace.spaces.live.com www.serc.mb.ca risky sexual behaviour. In extreme cases, denial sary. gAy&E: gay social group that participates in and shame may result in attempted or completed Winnipeg’s arts, culture, and entertainment sce- RAY (Resource Assistance for Youth): suicide. Conforming to stereotypes may bog you Myth: Bisexuals in long term “straight” ne. For more info. Email: [email protected] 24 hour help line: 1.800.668.4663 down, so be yourself. A person’s sexual orien- relationships, are not really bisexual. www.rayinc.ca tation is invisible, only you and those you A person’s current relationship, does not Keystone Rainbow Curling League: choose to tell, know you are bisexual. www.keystonecurling.com Men’s Resource Centre: dictate ones sexual orientation. Bisexual folks, 301-321 McDermot Ave. Whatever the risks, disclosure of ones sexual in female/male relationship/s, may feel invisible because they are identified as a heterosexual cou- Out There Sports & Recreation: GLBT sports Counselling for men. 956-9528 or orientation or “coming out” is up to the indi- and recreation events in Winnipeg. 1-866-MRC-EHCC (672-3433) vidual and should only be done when they are ple. There is no one or right way to identify a relationship. No one needs to prove their identi- www.gaycanada.com/outthere comfortable and feel safe to do so. ty. Prime Timers: Gay and bi men over 40 and National and International Links: MYTHS BUSTED: admirers: Email [email protected] or Myth: Bisexual individuals are accepted in both the straight and gay/lesbian/queer communities. www.primetimersww.org/winnipeg Get It On: Myth: Bisexuals are equally attracted to both www.getiton.ca men and women. Bisexual individuals face stereotypes and Rainbow Harmony Project: GLBT chorus. 474-6448 or www.rainbowharmonyproject.ca American Institute of Bisexuality A bisexual individual may not necessarily be exclusion from both the queer and heterosexual communities. Some people think www.bisexual.org attracted to male-identified and female- Outwords Inc. (local LGBTT* magazine): identified folks equally. For some, the attrac- that there are only two sexual orientations - heterosexual and homosexual. Therefore, these www.outwords.ca Bisexual Resource Center: tion varies and differs from person to person. www.biresource.org This attraction may ebb and flow over time. people believe that folks who identify as bisexual Klinic Community Health Centre will one day be gay/lesbian or straight or that 24 Hour Crisis Line: 786.8686, or PFLAG Canada: bisexuality is a cover for gay/lesbian people who 1.888.322.3019 (Toll free), or are too scared to identify as such. www.pflagcanada.ca TTY 784.4097 www.klinic.mb.ca