Bi Activists in Russia United and Created a Horizontal Organization
By Sobi Buchhammer
I was 21 when I came out as bisexual. I didn’t know anything about bisexual issues at the time, and I didn’t intend to be an activist. Not only that, but I just didn’t understand why I could talk openly about my relationships with men on social media, but for my love for a woman, I got condemnation and homophobic comments. Imagine my surprise when I faced biphobia from lesbians and gays. I remember asking myself for a long time: how is this possible? They know firsthand what it is like to be discriminated against! It took me a while to put all the puzzle pieces together and accept the fact that biphobia exists.
In 2014, I started running support groups for bisexual people. It was one of the first such initiatives in Russia. Time passed, and the rhetoric towards bisexual people did not change. It wasn’t until about five years ago that Russian LGBT organizations began to notice the level of their biphobia and bi erasure, thanks to the persistent work of a dozen bi activists. Through all the risks, state persecution, double discrimination, lack of funding, and high burnout, we persisted in pushing the bi agenda.
After the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale war with Ukraine, many activists had to leave the country to avoid imprisonment and continue their work in safety. But there are still thousands of queer and bi+ people living in Russia who need support and safe spaces. In 2023, the same bi activists who had been systematically working for several years to advance the rights of non-monosexual people came together to form one organization, the Bi+ Platform. My colleagues and I decided that we now wanted to focus on the needs of our community. The Bi+ Platform is an association of people and initiatives promoting bi visibility, inclusion and acceptance inside and outside Russia for the benefit of bi+ communities. Last year, we created an info hub where we collect up-to-date and verified information about bi people in Russian. There you can find not only research and scientific information, but also podcasts, personal stories, and entertainment content. Now, the Russian government is trying to get rid of any dissent and the level of censorship is high. And we don’t want to lose what has already been created with such hard work. We also organize online support groups for bi, pan, poly, and others. One of our goals is to increase inclusiveness towards bi people, so we organize workshops as well as consultations for NGOs and initiatives that are interested in advancing this issue in their organizations.
Sobi, right, with Nadja Arontschik, current co-heads of the Bi+ Platform
Our plans are to continue to promote bi visibility, organize events and informational campaigns, and enhance the well-being of bi people in every possible way. We adhere to humanitarian values, support diversity, and oppose war. The Bi+Platform team includes people with different backgrounds, identities, and expertise: women, trans people, men, psychologists, human rights activists, PR people, researchers, neurodiverse people, married people, and polyamorous people.
Thirteen years ago, I never dreamed that I would be part of such an organization, that we would be able to create something important and so unique to the bi community. I have been involved in LGBTQ projects for many years. But I’ve always wanted to give most of my energy to my community. So I am happy to tell you about the Bi+ Platform, and add from the heart that we would love to connect with you. Come to our events, write to us if you want to help and support, visit the website, and share it: biplusplatform@proton.me.
Sobi Buchhammer is a bi activist from Russia. They have been engaged in activism and raising the visibility of bisexual rights in Russian for over a decade. In 2022, Sobi emigrated because of her open opposition to Putin and Russia’s war with Ukraine. And in 2023, together with colleagues from Russia, Sobi created the Bi+ Platform, an association of people and projects focused on increasing acceptance of bisexuals.