Dear Molli,
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for breaking my heart and inspiring me, all at the same time:
Thank you for knowing that it gets better. What you might not know yet is that you're making it better. In speaking up about your life, you've made it better for countless other bi youth -- and bi adults -- who are dealing with biphobic violence every day.
Thank you for talking openly about your struggle with depression, suicide attempts, and cutting. Bisexual people, especially youth, are more likely than monosexual people (straight people and gay people) to experience all of those challenges, and it's important for us as a bi community to talk to each other about mental health. In fact, it's critical, as a way to start the healing process.
Thank you for addressing phobic violence like bullying. Studies show that bisexual women are more likely than monosexual women (lesbians and straight women) to be the victims of violence. No one deserves to be victimized for any reason, including sexual identity.
Thank you for letting your viewers know that they are not alone. You are also not alone. The struggles you've been through, and the journey that you're on, are sadly all too common in the bi community. The good news, though, is that we are a community. By telling your story, you've brought the community together and raised awareness. Now it's the responsibility of the rest of us bi folks to do the same for you.
Thank you for inspiring at least one bisexual group to do just that. As you might know by now, the Bisexual Resource Center (BRC), which is based in your state of Massachusetts, is there for you, and has created a video for you:
You can reach out to the BRC here.
Finally, thank you for motivating me to create this list of things that bisexual people, and others, can do to help:
- Bisexual readers, tell your story, too. YouTube is a great medium.
Safe healing,
Amy