By Sobi Buchhammer
As bi+ activists from Russia, my colleague Nadja Arontschik and I understand the importance of international connections. This is especially so now when queer communities in many countries are experiencing a new wave of discrimination. So, when we heard that Robyn Ochs, an American bi+ activist, educator, and writer, was coming to Amsterdam, we wanted to travel from other parts of Europe in which we are living to attend her workshop and, of course, participate in Amsterdam Pride on boats. The organization that hosted us as guests, our good friend and ally, was Bi+ Netherlands.
Robyn Ochs speaking at the H’art Museum in Amsterdam on July 30th.
The workshop took place on July 30th in the Amsterdam Hermitage building. Can you imagine that? About 80 people gathered in a spacious, bright room. And we were all connected in one way or another to non-monosexual identities. People from several different countries, with different experiences and other identities, but all perfectly understanding what Robyn was talking about from the stage. Biphobia and bi-erasure are part of our everyday lives, and—even if we can’t always recognize them right away—we feel them in our skin.
According to anonymous surveys, over the years more and more people identify themselves on the bi+ spectrum. In addition, this is the largest group within the entire queer community (who would have doubted it, right?). Of course, we discussed the myths surrounding bisexual people and double discrimination. But what was interesting and new to discuss was the feeling of alienation experienced by people who associate themselves with bi+ identities. Why do we experience it? When does it happen? What contributes to it? The feeling of loneliness and misunderstanding among queers and heterosexuals is what unites us, no matter what country we live in.
Barbara Oud, head of Bi+ Netherlands, on the Bi+ boat during Canal Pride in Amsterdam
Two days after the workshop, it was Pride. In Amsterdam, it is customary to hold it on boats in Amsterdam’s canals, and we became part of the Bi+ Boat, also organized by Bi+ Netherlands. It was a unique moment. Music, beautiful happy people, locals greeting us and dancing with us from the shore or their own boats. We even made it onto national television, sailing down the canal to the song “Mamma Mia” by ABBA. Despite the festive atmosphere, we were aware that we were representing the Russian-speaking community and that we still have a lot of work ahead of us.
Pride is over, but we will remember this trip for a long time. And it will surely bring new projects and partnerships in the future. We thank everyone who helped us spend this week in Amsterdam in the company of such wonderful people.
Sobi Buchhammer (seen in featured image on the Bi+ boat during Canal Pride) is a bi activist from Russia who has been engaged in activism and raising the visibility of bisexual rights in Russia 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.
All photos with article by Lera Manzovitova.
Read about Bi+ Platform in BWQ, here:
https://www.biwomenquarterly.com/around-the-world-russia/