Bi+ people are everywhere, and we know networks are crucial to our survival. This week, we’re diving into the history of BiNet USA, and the ripple effects of Bi+ collectives with our guest, Barry Saiff. From reflections on what makes an organizing team run smoothly, to tips for Bi+ fundraising, we’re determined to figure out what makes or breaks Bi+ collectives over the long term. Barry Saiff has spent more than three decades shaping bi+ history as an activist, organizer, and community leader. He began his bisexual activism in the early 1990s with the Alliance of MultiCultural Bisexuals in Washington, D.C., and went on to co-produce the 1993 National Conference Celebrating Bisexuality, held alongside the historic March on Washington. With four keynotes, 50 workshops, and over 600 participants, it was the largest bi+ conference of its time. Barry later served as president of BiNet USA, where he helped secure the funding that made it possible to hire the organization’s first executive director, a turning point in national bi+ organizing. He has continued to speak at conferences and webinars across the U.S. and internationally, carrying bi+ visibility into new spaces. Beyond activism, Barry has led a long career in technical communications as a writer, manager, and entrepreneur. He founded Saiff Solutions, a technical writing firm in the Philippines, and currently works as a manager at DocuSign. Barry is also a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser, having raised millions for causes such as The Hunger Project. He is married to his Filipino husband and remains active in progressive organizing, including the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon. Get even more Bisexual Killjoy content by subscribing to our Substack and following us on Instagram.  As always, we want to hear from you! You can chat with us on our Discord Server, send us a message, or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Bi All Accounts: An Anthology of Bi+ Voices, Volume 1. Edited by Bailey Merlin, Bi+ Book Gang. 2025. Order your copy today! Saiff, B. (2018, October 20). Outsourcing Technical Writing: A Primer. XML Press.  Take a trip down memory lane from the BiNet USA website: https://web.archive.org/web/20070818050105/http://www.binetusa.org/faces.html Where to Find Barry Saiff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrysaiff/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicbarry  Saiff Solutions: https://www.saiffsolutions.com Sound engineer: Richie Smith

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! This week, we’re exploring what it takes to begin a Bi+ history-keeping project and keep it going with the founder of Bi Community News, Jen Yockney. With stories of bridging tradition with contemporary times, and fabulous fashion tips, Jen brings laughter and joy to the long process of Bi+ history keeping. Together, we navigate multiple facets of the journey, from early volunteer days to finding trustworthy team members that can keep the vision alive. Join us as we uphold Bi+ legacy across the pond.  Jen Yockney was born and raised in Wales before moving to Manchester, England, for university. That was meant to last three years, but more than thirty years on, she still hasn't reached escape velocity. Most notably, Jen notched up a double-first when she received the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for "Services To The Bisexual Community" from Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. It was the first bi activism honour, and the first time the title Mx appeared in the Honours List, which she says cemented Mx in the English language - as if anyone decides what constitutes "the Queen's English" then surely it was the Queen. The MBE reflected what is now over three decades of bi volunteering, centred on BiPhoria - the UK's longest running bi social and support group - and Bi Community News, the British print magazine which turns thirty this year. There are side projects too: having organised the only UK event to mark September 23 as a bi holiday back in 1999, two years later she started bivisibilityday.com, which to this day lists events marking the date around the world. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon. Get even more Bisexual Killjoy content by subscribing to our Substack and following us on Instagram.  As always, we want to hear from you! You can chat with us on our Discord Server, send us a message, or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Bi All Accounts: An Anthology of Bi+ Voices, Volume 1. Edited by Bailey Merlin, Bi+ Book Gang. 2025. Order your copy today! Bi Community News Magazine: bicommunitynews.co.uk   Yockney, Jen. “Getting Bi In A Gay/Straight World: 2019 edition.” 4th ed. Biphoria. https://issuu.com/biphoria/docs/getting_bi_web_2019  Where to Find Jen Yockney Bi Visibilty Day Website: bivisibilityday.com  Jen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenyockney  Biphoria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biphoria  Bi Community News Magazine: https://www.instagram.com/bicommunitynews  Sound engineer: Richie Smith

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! This week, we’re exploring what it means to be a Bi+ activist who’s in it for the long haul with the one and only Robyn Ochs as our guest. This Bi+ visibility month we’re focused on sustaining our efforts by honoring their inherent fluidity. We discuss how Bi Women Quarterly began and its transformation throughout the years, the importance of crafting intentional legacy, and what happens when Bi+ voices are centered as a collective. From the lives recorded in Getting Bi to those in RECOGNIZE, we know that history is remembered when we’re together. Mel Reeve is an archivist and award-winning writer. She is the founder of the Bi History project, host of the Bi History podcast, and an editor at Fear of Making Art Press. Mel works in archives with a focus on improving access to digital collections and LGBTQ+ histories. The Bi History Project shines a spotlight on the rich and complex past of the bisexual+ community. Through training events, workshops, lectures, podcasts, and consulting, it brings LGBTQ+ and bi+ history to life and encourages inclusive heritage practices. The project empowers those within and outside the heritage profession to engage with bisexual+ and LGBTQ+ history. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon. Get even more Bisexual Killjoy content by subscribing to our Substack and following us on instagram.  As always, we want to hear from you! You can chat with us on our Discord Server, send us a message, or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Bi History Podcast: https://bihistory.buzzsprout.com/ Bi All Accounts: An Anthology of Bi+ Voices, Volume 1. Edited by Bailey Merlin, Bi+ Book Gang. 2025. Order your copy today! Madams: Bawds & Brothel-Keepers of London by Fergus Linnane YouTube episode about the Fitzgeralds as a couple Bi-ble It Ain’t Over Til the Bisexual Speaks The Book of Pride  Where to Find Mel Reeve Bi History Website: https://bihistory.com Mel Reeve Website: https://melreeve.my.canva.site/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bihistory/  Sound engineer: Richie Smith

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! This week, we’re exploring what it means to be a Bi+ activist who’s in it for the long haul with the one and only Robyn Ochs as our guest. This Bi+ visibility month we’re focused on sustaining our efforts by honoring their inherent fluidity. We discuss how Bi Women Quarterly began and its transformation throughout the years, the importance of crafting intentional legacy, and what happens when Bi+ voices are centered as a collective. From the lives recorded in Getting Bi to those in RECOGNIZE, we know that history is remembered when we’re together. Robyn Ochs is an educator, speaker, grassroots activist, and editor of Bi Women Quarterly and two anthologies: the 42-country collection Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World and RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men. Her writings have been published in numerous bi, women’s studies, multicultural, and LGBTQ+ anthologies, and she has taught courses on LGBTQ+ history & politics at Tufts University, MIT, and Northern Vermont University. Among other things, she crafted the definition of bisexuality that is used by many bi+ activists around the world: “I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge in myself the potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree.” Robyn is deeply committed to intersectional and sustainable activism, to working with others to build coalitions across identities and across social movements, to supporting emerging leaders, and to learning and growing. She is particularly interested in bi+ health, the experiences of bi+ people in the workplace, the global bi+ movement, bi+ elders, and bi and LGBTQIA+ youth. An activist for 50 years (so far), she is in it for the long haul. In 2024, she was named an LGBT History Icon.  Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon. Get even more Bisexual Killjoy content by subscribing to our Substack and following us on instagram.  As always, we want to hear from you! You can chat with us on our Discord Server, send us a message, or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Bi All Accounts: An Anthology of Bi+ Voices, Volume 1. Edited by Bailey Merlin, Bi+ Book Gang. 2025. Order your copy today! Getting Bi: The Voices of Bisexuals from Around the World, Second Edition 2009. Edited by Robyn Ochs and Sarah E. Rowley. RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men, 2014. Edited by Robyn Ochs and H. Sharif Williams. Bisexural Resource Center: https://biresource.org/  Bi Women Quarterly: http://www.biwomenboston.org/  Where to Find Robyn Ochs Website: https://www.robynochs.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixel.ochs/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynochs  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@robynochs  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robynochs.bsky.social  Sound engineer: Richie Smith

S4E1: Bisexual Killjoys Lost in History Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! Season 4 opens with a reckoning: what happens when your history keeps getting erased? Bailey and Jace reflect on how far the podcast has come, why bi+ history matters, and what it means to build legacy in a world that constantly pushes us to the margins. From Stonewall to the AIDS crisis, from forgotten activists to speculative bisexual icons, we’re taking a messy, curious, and determined dive into the cracks where our stories have been buried. In this episode, we talk about how bi+ erasure shows up in history books, archives, and movements that claim to be “for all queers,” but consistently leave us out. We trace six generations of bi+ activism, dig into the blessing and curse of being a decentralized community, and wrestle with what legacy-building actually means. Spoiler: it’s hard, it’s frustrating, and it’s essential.  This season is all about history, erasure, and resilience. Our goal isn’t to create a perfect archive but to give bi+ listeners a sense of place, belonging, and possibility. Allies, you’ll hear concrete ways to show up beyond rainbow reposts. Bi+ folks, this one’s for you: your history is here, your community is here, and you deserve to see yourself in it. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week (or since we saw you last)? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Bi All Accounts: An Anthology of Bi+ Voices, Volume 1. Edited by Bailey Merlin, Bi+ Book Gang. 2025. Order your copy today! Bisexual Resource Center: https://biresource.org/  Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality. Pantheon Books, 1978. Sedgwick, Eve. Epistemology of the Closet. University of California Press, 1990. Sound engineer: Richie Smith

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! Here we are at the end of another season, and boy, are our arms tired. We ran the gamut from mental health, from race to economics, spirituality, class, parenthood, and neurodiversity. And by talking about these big topics, we were able to learn more about ourselves and each other. In this episode, we recap the season, meditate on community, and make predictions on Pride. We’re off for the summer but are already planning for season 4. Until we meet again, keep being a Bisexual Killjoy. Stay bisexual, and stay strong.   Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Bisexual Killjoy Substack: https://www.bisexualkilljoy.com/ 

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! What does it mean to survive as a bi+ person in a world structured by class? In one of our most expansive and layered conversations to date, Bailey and Jace are joined by educator, activist, and musician Alicia Ortiz to unpack the taboo of talking about class, especially in queer spaces. Together, we explore how class functions as a sticky object in our lives, how bi+ people uniquely navigate systems of poverty and power, and why the myth of meritocracy doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. From identity politics and the legacy of the Combahee River Collective to Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò’s Elite Capture, we examine how movements are co-opted, how queerness is commodified, and how bi+ people are often excluded from both straight and gay narratives of respectability. We also dig into how upward mobility—whether through the military, education, or sex work—is often pathologized, and why coalition-building is essential for a liberated future. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Dalke, Anne. “Classism and the Queer Community.” Serendip Studio, 2013. https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/critical-feminist-studies-2013/ep/web-event-2-classism-and-queer-community  Gaskins, TY. “Black Dandyism Explained—From Its 18th-Century Roots to Modern-Day Expressions.” Vogue. 8 May 2025.  https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-black-dandyism  Stop Soldier Suicide. “Veteran Suicide Stats.” https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/vet-stats  Táíwò, Olúfẹ́mi O. Elite Capture: How the Powerful Took Over Identity Politics (And Everything Else). Chicago: Haymarket Books. 2022. Where to find Alicia Ortiz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicia.vida.ortiz  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia_vida_ortiz/ Classes: https://impactboston.org/in-person-classes/

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! What does it mean to become a bi+ woman in a world that says you’re either too much or not enough? In this episode, we dive deep into the messiness of womanhood, gender socialization, and bi+ identity. Grounded in Simone de Beauvoir’s iconic quote, “One is not born, but rather becomes, woman,” we unpack the violence of gender norms, internalized misogyny, femmephobia, and the social construction of sex itself. We talk about the personal and political stakes of being bi+ and femme in a world that demands your compliance—and punishes your refusal. From the erasure of bi+ women in relationships to survival strategies shaped by patriarchy, this conversation is a powerful reminder that womanhood isn’t a fixed truth; it’s a battlefield of expectations, agency, and becoming. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Beauvoir, Simone de. The Second Sex. Vintage Classics, 2015. Stone, Alison. An Introduction to Feminist Philosophy. Polity Press, 2007. Ward, Jane. The Tragedy of Heterosexuality. NYU Press, 2020.

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, “Sacred Spaces, Queer Faces,” we sit down with Dr. Samantha Costa to explore the fraught and fascinating relationship between bi+ identity and faith. From the lingering trauma of “pray the gay away” ideologies to the quieter pressures to suppress bi+ness in religious spaces, we unpack how bi+ people navigate spiritual lives in the face of erasure and exclusion. Together, we ask: Is it possible to hold onto faith without organized religion? Can bi+ people build spiritual practices that reflect their whole selves? And what might a theology of in-betweenness look like in a world that demands certainty? This conversation honors the sacred in the liminal and invites listeners to imagine new forms of queer belonging, both spiritual and communal. Samantha Costa is a queer non-binary scholar, survivor, and storyteller exploring the sacred in the wake of religious trauma. A professor and social researcher, their work focuses on LGBTQIA+ mental health, gender identity, and spiritual reclamation. Raised Catholic in an Irish-Italian family and later disowned alongside their transgender parent, Dr. Costa, now helps others navigate the long road from exile to integration. They earned their PhD in Philosophy and Religion from CIIS and developed the “Seven Freedom Milestones” to map queer journeys toward spiritual wholeness. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Douglas, Ezzy, and Fielder, Bronwyn. “Ritual and liminality: Bisexuality within Christianity and Paganism.” Bisexuality, Religion and Spirituality: Critical Perspectives, eds. Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip and Alex Toft. 2020. Toft, Alex. Negotiating sexuality and spirituality: The lived experiences of bisexual persons.” Bisexuality, Religion and Spirituality: Critical Perspectives, eds. Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip and Alex Toft. 2020. Where to find Samantha Costa Website: https://samcostaspace.wordpress.com/  TikTok: @thespiritualstudent Threads: @the_spiritual_student Bluesky: @spiritualstudent.bsky.social

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, we explore the intersection of bi+ identity and parenting, a topic many of our listeners have been eager for us to dig into. To help us navigate this conversation, Dr. Ellen Davenport-Pleasance, a leading researcher on bi+ parenting and director of the Bisexual Research Group, joins us. Together, we unpack how bi+ parents experience minority stress, family dynamics, and cultural socialization, and why bi+ people are both more likely to be parents and yet remain underrepresented in queer narratives. We also talk about how bi+ parents can foster affirming environments for their kids, the role community plays as a protective factor, and what bi+ parents should keep in mind when building supportive networks. Whether you're a bi+ parent, thinking about parenthood, or just curious about the unique intersections of bi+ identity and family life, this episode is for you. Ellen Davenport-Pleasance is a bisexual researcher who recently finished her PhD at University College London. Her PhD focused on families with bisexual+ mothers, and explored minority stress, mental health, and family functioning, using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Prior to her PhD, she completed an MPhil in Psychology at the University of Cambridge, during which she conducted a qualitative study of bisexual+ mothers, focusing on how they came out to their children and their queer socialization practices. As well as conducting research, Ellen has taught social science/ psychology at four universities in the UK and is the director of the Bisexual Research Group. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Davenport-Pleasance, E. (2024). “Bi-Invisibility in Academia; the Intentional and Accidental Erasure of Bi + Parents in Research and Recommendations for Future Research.” Journal of Bisexuality, 24(4), 534–573. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2024.2361340 Davenport-Pleasance, E., & Imrie, S. (2022). “How Do Bi+ Mothers Talk with Their Children about (Their) Bisexuality+?” LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 18(4), 319–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/27703371.2022.2091073  Irving, A.J., illustrated by Cynthia Alonso. The Bi Book. Random House. 2025. Where to find Ellen Davenport-Pleasance Website: https://www.bisexualresearch.com/ IG: @bisexualresearch

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, we’re diving into a conversation many of you have asked us to cover: what it means to be both neurodiverse and bi+. As bi+ folks with ADHD, we’re not just talking theory; we’re sharing our lived experiences, the lack of affirming research at this intersection, and the powerful stories you’ve shared. We’re exploring how neurodivergence and bi+ness co-exist, how pathologizing narratives have failed us, and why we need more affirming, participant-driven research. We ground our conversation in two of Alex Toft’s articles and use them as a jumping-off point to discuss invisibility, identity stacking, hypersexualization, and the nonconforming ways neurodiverse bi+ folks show up in the world. We also asked our listeners to share what it’s like navigating this intersection, and as always, y’all delivered. From grappling with identity labels to dealing with social norms that don’t quite fit, this episode is about claiming space, rejecting deficit-based thinking, and embracing the fullness of neurodiverse bi+ identity. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Toft, Alex. (2023). ‘These Made-Up Things Mean Nothing to Me’: Exploring the Intersection of Autism and Bisexuality in the Lives of Young People. Journal of Bisexuality, 23(3), 229–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2023.2214134 Toft, Alex, & Ward, Beth. (2022). A Young Disabled LGBT+ Researchers Group: Working Collaboratively to Explore the Lives of Young Autistic LGBT+ Persons. Sociological Research Online, 27(4), 1104-1112. https://doi.org/10.1177/13607804221125233  “Sick Shit” by Together Pangea (2014)

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, we explore the intersection of bi+ identity and race, unpacking how structural oppression, racial stereotypes, and exclusion from mainstream queer spaces affect bi+ people of color. To guide us through this conversation, we’re joined by the amazing Dr. Zori Paul. We’re zeroing in on how bi+ oppression intersects with racial oppression, the impact of colorblindness in queer spaces, and the importance of creating affirming, community-driven spaces for queer people of color. We’re also talking about resilience through affirmation and coalition-building and how bi+ people of color can find and cultivate spaces that fully recognize and support their identities. Zori Paul is a Licensed Professional Counselor, counselor educator, and researcher. Her work focuses on intersecting marginalized identities, particularly bisexual+/queer people of color. Her recent research focuses on exploring the impacts of microaffirmations with bisexual+ women of color and queer people of color. She also co-hosts Therapy on a Tangent, a podcast where two therapists nerd out about their geeky passions and mental health.    Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Therapy on a Tangent → https://linktr.ee/therapyonatangentpod Monica A. Ghabrial & Lorie E. Ross. (2018) Representation and Erasure of Bisexual People of Color: A Content Analysis of Quantitative Bisexual Mental Health Research. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 5:2, 123-142, DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000286 Journal of Bisexuality → https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/wjbi20  Where to find Zori Paul Website: https://www.zoriapaul.com/    IG/Threads: @AmberInsights BlueSky: @zoriamber.bsky.social

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! This week, we’re diving into bi+ mental health with a very special guest: Dr. Mimi Hoang. In honor of Bi+ Health Awareness Month, we discuss the mental health disparities bi+ folks face, the lack of research on bi+ BIPOC communities, and why it’s critical to have bi+ affirming mental health professionals. We also explore the role of community as a protective factor, how bi+ activism has shaped national advocacy efforts, and practical steps bi+ folks can take to access care and support. Dr. Mimi Hoang is an internationally recognized psychologist, life coach, public speaker, and community organizer specializing in the LGBTQ+ and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Since the 1990s, she has co-founded three organizations for bisexual, pansexual, and fluid ("bi+" if you’re nasty) individuals - the Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force (LABTF), amBi Los Angeles, and Fluid at UCLA. Dr. Mimi has authored multiple publications and earned a seat at the landmark 2013 White House Bisexual Community Roundtable, which sparked her focus on bi+ affirmative counseling and mental health. Her steadfast leadership has earned her multiple awards and recognitions, including being one of Go Magazine's "100 Women We Love" and being named “One of the Most Significant Women in the Bisexual Movement.”  Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Living in Color Therapy: https://www.livingincolortherapy.com  B+ Well Conference 2025: https://labitaskforce.org/b%2B-well-conference  Where to find Mimi Hoang Website: https://drmimihoang.com/index.html  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMimiHoang/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmimihoang

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! We’re kicking off Season 3 with a deep dive into intersectionality—what it actually means, how it’s been co-opted, and why it’s essential for bi+ folks navigating multiple forms of marginalization. Originally coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality is not just about personal identity—it’s a framework that reveals systemic gaps where people are most vulnerable. In this episode, Bailey and Jace break down how overlapping systems of oppression impact bi+ people and why single-issue solutions will never be enough. This season is all about resistance. As political attacks on queer and trans rights escalate, we need tools to fight back. We discuss why bi+ folks have always existed in the margins, how systemic failures disproportionately harm those at multiple intersections, and what we can do to build a stronger, community-driven movement. From staying informed to supporting bi+ activists and creating sustainable activism, we’re focused on real actions, not just talking points. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week (or since we saw you last)? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Crenshaw, Kimberlé. “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics," University of Chicago Legal Forum: Vol. 1989: Iss. 1, Article 8. Available at: http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol1989/iss1/8  Serano, Julia. Excluded: Making Feminist and Queer Movements More Inclusive. Seal Press, 2013. Find a mutual aid network near you: https://www.mutualaidhub.org/

That’s a wrap on Season 2! In our season finale, Bailey and Jace reflect on their journey through a season packed with bi+ insights, activism, and community building. From personal growth to political resistance, this episode dives deep into what it means to center bi+ness in your life, research, politics, and activism. Join us as we discuss the power of solidarity, the importance of preserving bi+ history, and the transformative potential of bisexuality as a form of resistance. Plus, we share tangible actions to stay engaged, safe, and empowered as we navigate uncertain political times. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.    Resources Change.org. “Community power: How to get involved in local politics.” 2024 Oct 9. Find a mutual aid network near you: https://www.mutualaidhub.org/ 

Bisexual Killjoy is back with a much-needed dose of bi-positivity! This week, Bailey and Lynn dive into the concept of bipositivity—what it means, why it matters, and how it can profoundly impact the well-being of bi+ individuals. Joining us is Dr. Allison Cipriano, a newly minted PhD, assistant professor of social psychology at Ball State University, and co-author of “The Nature and Perceived Effects of Bipositivity Among Plurisexual Women,” published in the Journal of Bisexuality. Together, we explore how bipositivity fosters resilience, strengthens community bonds, and enhances mental health for bi+ folks, all while navigating a world that often erases or invalidates our experiences. From the joy of “me too” moments to the challenges of finding support from monosexual allies, this episode is a testament to the power of connection, representation, and unapologetic celebration of bi+ identities. Allison Cipriano is a bisexual woman, intersectional feminist, recently minted PhD, and new assistant professor of social psychology at Ball State University. She has been researching the intersections of stigmatized identities (particularly gender and sexuality), multi-gender attraction, sexual violence, and well-being since 2018. She teaches about gender, sexuality, sexual health, diversity, prejudice, and discrimination in addition to applied and feminist social psychology, research methods, and pedagogy. Her research focuses on understanding the identity-related experiences—including challenges and joys—among women and others with multi-gender attraction, with the aim to better understand our communities and improve our lived realities. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram/Threads or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.    Resources Allison E. Cipriano & Kathryn J. Holland (2024) The Nature and Perceived Effects of Bipositivity Among Plurisexual Women, Journal of Bisexuality, 24:2, 111-149, DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2024.2309406  Where to find Allison Cipriano Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allison-Cipriano-2  Twitter: @aecipriano

Bisexual Killjoy returns with a deep dive into the world of comics as a transformative medium for storytelling, particularly for bi+ narratives. This week, we’re joined by Kat Calamia, co-writer and co-creator of The Witches of Oz, The Beast & Snow, Nightmare in Wonderland, and Bi Visibility: A Bisexual Comic Book Anthology. Together, we explore how comics empower bi+ individuals to share nuanced, multi-layered stories that embrace the beauty and complexity of bi+ identities. Kat discusses her journey as a comic creator, the demand for bi+ representation as seen in her wildly successful Kickstarter campaigns, and how preserving bi+ stories through anthologies is a radical act of resistance. From crafting inclusive narratives to building community through storytelling, this episode showcases the power of comics to reflect and affirm bi+ experiences. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram/Threads or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.    Resources Bi Visibility: A Bisexual Anthology "Still Bi" Where to find Kat Calamia Twitter / X: https://x.com/ComicUno YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haydenclaireheroes 

In this episode of Bisexual Killjoy, we sit down for our first-ever in-person interview with Alicia Ortiz. Alicia shares insights on using songwriting to inspire social action, drawing from her extensive experience in organizing campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality, workers' rights, immigration reform, reproductive justice, and racial equity. Her work emphasizes coalition building and the transformative power of uniting diverse communities—a core principle in her anti-oppression programs and her teachings on empowerment, healthy relationships, and self-defense. Together, we explore how bi+ folks can strengthen their voices and find allies across different communities, even amidst erasure and rejection. Alicia’s passion for coalition building shines through as we discuss ways to sustain ourselves in activism, foster resilience, and recruit allies. Join us for an inspiring conversation on lifting up bi+ identities and the communities we support. Activist, educator, and musician Alicia Ortiz (pronounced a.LEE.cee.a) uses songwriting as a vehicle for uplifting people and inspiring social action. With a community organizing background, Alicia has led campaigns for queer and transgender equality, workers' rights, immigration reform, reproductive justice, and racial equity. Currently based out of Boston, MA, Alicia facilitates anti-oppression programs with students and professionals and teaches empowerment self-defense, healthy relationship skills, and sex education. She believes that coalition building is a virtue. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram/Threads or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Galop. “Tackling biphobia.” Right To Be. “How to Respond to Public Harassment.” IMPACT Boston Alicia Ortiz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicia.vida.ortiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia_vida_ortiz/

If there's one thing bi+ folks struggle with, it's not seeing themselves in media. Why is that a big deal? Because our identities are informed by the world around us; and when we do not find ourselves in that world, we can view that as a lack in ourselves. To help us explore the role of bi+ representation, we talk to the talented Patricia Silva.  Patricia Silva is a queer (bi/pan) nonbinary artist working with available light, cameras, words, research, and educational modules to facilitate a deeper understanding of the contours of identities, queer inquiry, and relationships between diaspora and place(s). They experiment through making photographs, photo books, videos and short films, as well as through conversation series that are live or in podcast form. Their photographs and short films have been exhibited, screened, and awarded internationally since 2013; and their writing has been featured in The LGBT Review, Cult Bytes, among others. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram/Threads or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  Resources Film: Savage Nights (Les Nuits fauves), directed by Cyril Collard. 1992. Filmmaker: Pier Paolo Pasolini TV Show: The Bisexual, created by Desiree Akhavan and Rowan Riley. 2018. TV Show: The Magicians, created by Sera Gamble and John McNamara. 2015-2020. Patricia Silva  Appearance: Twink Time at Barbizon in New York City at the Hot Festival, Mx Media Program Appearance: Super Shorts Film Festival Publication: Silva, Patricia. "Outsmarting the City—How Queer Subcultures in Queensborough." The Physical and the Digital City, Invisible Forces, Data and Manifestations. Intellect Books, University of Chicago Press. 2024. Website: https://patriciasilva.com   Website: https://www.latentstudies.net 

Bisexual Killjoy is back to sit down with Poly Philia founder Leanne Yau to explore the intersections of polyamory and plurisexuality, diving into the challenges and stigmas that come with embracing these identities in a monogamous society. Leanne shares insights on how to practice polyamory in a healthy way, red flags to look out for, and whether polyamory belongs in the LGBTQ+ community. We debunk misconceptions of hypersexuality often projected onto bi+ and polyamorous folks and discuss how intimacy and visibility can help break down stigma. We challenge listeners to question normative relationships and embrace the radical nature of living authentically. Leanne Yau is a British award-winning polyamory educator, sex-positive advocate, speaker, writer, and queer sex therapist in training. She creates and curates daily bite-size multimedia content @polyphiliablog on non-monogamy, queerness, sex positivity, and neurodivergence, drawing from her lived experiences as a bisexual, autistic and ADHD, Asian agender femme. Leanne was named one of the ‘15 LGBTQ+ Educators Who Took Instagram Infotainment To The Next Level’ by Buzzfeed in 2021, one of Cosmopolitan's '10 Polyamory Experts to Follow on TikTok' in 2022, and one of Men’s Health’s ‘60 Top Influencers Who Are Actually Worth the Follow’ in 2023. Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.  Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bisexualkilljoy on Instagram or email us at bisexualkilljoy@gmail.com.  References Bi Survivors Network. http://bisurvivorsnetwork.org/ Fern, Jessica. Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy. Thornapple Press. 2020. Hardy, Janet. The Ethical Slut, Third Edition: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love. Celestial Arts. 2017. OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy). https://www.open-love.org/  Where to Find Leanne Yau Upcoming workshop on November 10, 2024: "Bisexuality and Non-Monogamy, feat. Leanne Yau and Zachary Zane": https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/bisexuality-and-non-monogamy-tickets-1012904724297?aff=Leanne Website: https://www.polyphilia.blog/  Peer Support: https://www.polyphilia.blog/peer-support Swag/Shop: https://polyphiliablog.threadless.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/polyphiliablog  Facebook: @polyphiliablog Instagram: @polyphiliablog Threads: @polyphiliablog TikTok: @polyphiliablog YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@polyphiliablog/videos