Volume 7, Number
4 (Winter 2002)
ssss Articles
sssssssAnnual
Meeting to Plan Bi Definition 2003
ssssss Bi
Definition Celebrates Seven Years
ssssss Bi
All Means! Needs Your Photos-Members Are Asked to Donate
ssssss Political
Incorrectness
ssssss BECAUSE
2003 Coming In April
ssssssBi
Spirit Day Planned
ssssCalendar
ssssColumns
sssssssBi
The Editor
sssssssUpcoming
Discussion Topics
ssss
Disclaimer
Bi All Means! is a publication of Bi Definition, a bisexual social, support and activist organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. BAM is published quarterly and is offered to those on our mailing list on a subscription basis. To subscribe simply fill out this form.
Opinions expressed by writers in BAM are not necessarily those of the editors, publisher, advertisers nor the philosophy of Bi Definition. Any reference made to any individual or organization should not be construed as an indication of the same's orientation.
We reserve the right to edit any submission at our sole discretion.
Those who wish to contribute letters, articles, stories, poems or artwork
are encouraged to do so, and may have their names withheld if so desired.
Please provide text submissions typed double-spaced. Send all submissions
to: Bi All Means!/Bi Definition,
c/o Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Suite 101, 315 W. Court St., Milwaukee,
WI 53212 ,
or e-mail bidef@hotmail.com
The unauthorized use of the ‘Bi Definition’ name is strictly
prohibited to members and nonmembers alike, except when written permission
is received from the current organizational leadership.
Vision Statement
Bi Definition shall provide a social, support and
activist organizational resource for bisexuals, people who do not like
labels and their allies residing in and visiting metropolitan Milwaukee,
WI. It shall work for equal rights and the liberation of all area bisexuals
and others who refuse strict heterosexual and/or homosexual personal identification.
Bi Definition will also collect and distribute information
on bisexuality.
Governance Statement
In order to insure that all minority opinions are
considered at business meetings, Bi Definition will use the consensus process
of decision making for governing.
Annual Meeting to Plan Bi Definition 2003
Three years ago Bi Definition almost ended as an official group. There is a lot of work done to keep this group up and running and at that time there weren't enough people to get all of the work done. Things were falling through the cracks and the few volunteers were overloaded and burning out. Something had to be done.
We skipped the winter issue of BAM! and instead put out a flyer calling for an all member emergency meeting to see if the group could be salvaged. Over 15 people came to the meeting to voice their concern that Bi Definition continue and to offer to help.
At that meeting, all of the work that makes up the organization of Bi Definition was listed in detail, and grouped into eleven job categories. People volunteered to take on the responsibilities for these different jobs for a one-year term with the understanding that we would meet every year to redistribute and share the volunteer work-load.
This year's Year In Review Meeting will be Tuesday, February l8th and
will take the place of our regular Bi Definition meeting. The meeting will
begin at 7pm at the LGBT Community Center. Please come and consider volunteering
your time to the group by taking on one of the jobs listed on page 4 of
this issue. The group is only as good as you help to make it.
Bi Definition Celebrates Seven Years
Bi Definition will celebrate seven years of organized bisexual community in the Milwaukee area this January 11th, 2003. Our Saturday meeting will be cancelled due to January 4th being so close to New Year’s Day, with the January 11th party taking the place of our usual Saturday meeting.
In the past seven years, Bi Definition has undergone many changes. A few of our current members will remember the group’s humble beginnings when it first began meeting in member homes. More of our members will remember when we met above the Best D Clinic. We moved to the then new LGBT Community Center to accommodate the group’s expanded size in February 1999. Our group and our newsletter have ebbed and flowed through the years, and always members have come through to ensure Bi Definition’s continued existence.
Come join us as we celebrate on Saturday, January 11th from 6pm to 10pm. We will gather at the home of a couple who are Bi Definition members and have graciously offered to host this year’s party. The evening will begin with a potluck dinner and we invite you to bring your favorite game for the second part of the evening. For party location and other information, please call the Bi Info Hotline (414) 299-9612.
We hope you join us for an evening of food, friends and games.
Bi All Means! Needs Your Photos-Members Are Asked to Donate
As the editor for Bi All Means! it is up to me to find a good photograph or two to put in every issue. It is best if it is on-topic, and even better if it is actually photos of our members and our events. I try to take pictures at the different events, but am not always able, and sometimes my photos aren't the best ones anyway
I am asking all members to dig through their photo collections to look for Bi Definition photos. If you would be generous enough to donate these pictures, or copies of these pictures, BAM! will have an archive of photos from which to draw upon each season.
It would also be wonderful if you would send me a copy of any photos
you take at future events. Please send them to "LGBT Center, 315 W. Court
St., Milwaukee, WI 53202, Attn. Bi Definition/Nikki" Thank you!
Political Incorrectness
by Stefanie Klopp
A few months back, Bi Definition facilitated a discussion on the topic, “Bisexuals of Color”. The group explored how race issues might affect human sexuality. Overall, the discussion went well. Yet, it seemed that most participants were holding back in conversation. Reflecting on the discussion with a small group afterward, one member suggested that perhaps with everyone trying to be “politically correct”, it is difficult for people to freely discuss their viewpoints on potentially controversial subjects. This got me thinking about the concept of “political correctness”, a construct that has seemingly instilled the fear of sharing ideas, asking questions, or talking openly about difficult topics. Where is the correctness in being politically correct?
I did a little Internet research. I was mildly surprised to discover the roots of “PC” stemming back to Berlin, Germany in the 1920’s. Apparently, in an effort to propel the dying rule of Russian Communism, theorists devised a plan to remove individualism from the individual. The goal was to perpetuate a fascist speech code that would lead to a change in future generations’ speech and thought patterns.
Since the 1960’s PC has impacted American culture. Unfortunately, the notions of inferiority and second-class status still remain. Instead of trying to understand differences, people are afraid to talk about them. Worse still, some assign such notions a new name, a “politically correct” name, and then claim modern enlightenment. At its best, political correctness obscures clear thinking. At its worst, political correctness robs the general populous of free speech and damages the very people it claims to benefit. We are afraid to ask questions. We are afraid to make attempts in understanding. We are afraid of not being “politically correct”.
I am not suggesting that free speech should allow people to be offensive
and disrespectful. I am suggesting that to make progress, we must rely
on creative thinking rather than a political construct to guide logic.
Speech control does not equate to the reeducation of the human race. Instead,
the silencing of authentic debate helps to empower oppressive views. Only
free and responsible speech allows us to approach the truth. We should
commit to dialogue, to listening to others in order to understand them,
as well as to seeking to be understood by them. Most importantly, we should
commit to the view that we do not possess exclusive ownership of the truth.
This is a great starting point for the war on “political correctness”
In 2003 the annual Midwest Bisexual Conference will be in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. The theme for this year’s conference is The Art of Being Bi and will focus on the contributions made by bisexual artists and will explore the impact that art has had on the bisexual community.
This year’s conference will be in April.
In the past, many Bi Definition members have traveled to Minnesota for this conference and had a wonderful time.
It isn’t too early to start to look into housing accommodations as hotels
often book far in advance. Contact the BECAUSE 2003 committee for
home hospitality housing.
Save Saturday afternoon March 15th for a fun filled time to get your creative Bi spirit flowing. We are making bi spirit wear. Join us to make buttons, glassware, and tye-dyed bandanas.
We are calling it Bi Spirit day. Come for the fun, even if you are not
that creative. You will be set for BECAUSE and Pride fest. Stay tuned to
the info line or at meetings for more details.
Bi Definition meets on the first Saturday and third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 P.M. for discussions about specific topics pertaining to bisexuality. All discusions are held at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Suite 101, 315 W. Court St., Milwaukee, WI .
As bisexuals, the concept of polyamory may seem to be a natural fit. We can have partners to fill our different needs and interests, keep our love of different individuals alive without having to leave another person, and minimize the serial monogamy relationship roller-coaster . . . . Well, maybe . .. if you can handle it and yourself . . . And knowing and managing yourself is more than half the battle! We will discuss what makes the work worth the effort, poly ethics vs. etiquette, how to evaluate your own capabilities, and what it means for the long haul as we discuss “Polyamory—Not for the Faint-hearted” on Saturday, December 7, and Tuesday, December 17.
Remember-there will be NO meeting on the first Saturday in January. Instead we will meet on Saturday, January llth at 6pm for our 7th Year Anniversary Party. Call our info line for location and details, and plan to join us for a potluck dinner and an evening of games.
Also remember-there will not be a regular discussion meeting the third Tuesday in February. Instead, we will be having our Year In Review Meeting on Tuesday, February 18th at 7pm. All members are strongly encouraged to attend this very important meeting.
Because both January and February will only have one regular meeting each, we will be discussing the same topic for both months. "Porn verses Erotica" will be the topic on Tuesday, January 21st and Saturday, February 1st What is porn? What is erotica? Is there a set difference between the two, or is it merely each individual's taste? Can we come up with a definition of porn and erotica that everyone can agree on? Come join us for what is sure to be a lively conversation.
What if you felt like you were born into the wrong body? What would this mean to your life personally? How would your day-to-day life be affected? The bi community is a large and diverse community, overlapping, enveloping and embracing many different individuals and communities. This includes the transgender community. Come join us as we discuss "Transgender. Private and Political" on Saturday, March lst and Tuesday, March 18th.
An annual Bi Definition membership includes discreet newsletter mailings and free admittance to all events. Cost of a single gathering for nonmembers is $5. For information on membership rates, call our information line (414) 299-9612. We also ask that you please refrain from wearing scented products at the meetings.
Winter is here and I am sooo excited!!! Warm, cozy sweaters, the world dressed in lacy white, we can look forward to sledding and hot chocolate and sitting by a nice fire in a warm coffee shop . . .
This is my new philosophy for this winter—learn to love it. I mean, there are so many things to complain about that the nice things get lost in the shuffle. It’s easy to complain; doing something to make it better is much harder.
That’s one of the things I cherish about Bi Definition—it is full of people who are busy with the work of making the world a better place. And that is what Bi Definition does: it makes the world a better place. How many of us felt relief when we found this amazingly open and accepting group? How many of us have found comfort, solace, support and friendship here?
Bi Definition’s impact may seem small compared to the whole world, but it has made a world of difference to the members who call this group home.
I hope to see all of you at the Year In Review Meeting where we will continue the work of making things better.
Bye for now
Nikki Schlaishunt
For information or confirmation on any Bi Definition event listed,
contact Nikki at (414)299-9612
or write: Bi All Means!/Bi Definition
c/o Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Suite 101, 315 W. Court St., Milwaukee,
WI 53212 .
Bi Definition socials/discussions are held on the first Saturday
and third Tuesday of each month @ 7:00 p.m.
at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Suite 101, 315 W. Court
St., Milwaukee, WI 53212 .
DECEMBER
Sat. 7 @ 7 P.M. Bi Definition Social/Discussion. Topic:
“Polyamory—Not
for the Faint-hearted” LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court St.
Tues. 17 @ 7 P.M. Bi Definition Social/Discussion. Topic:
“Polyamory—Not for the Faint-hearted” LGBT Community Center, 315 W.
Court St.
January
Sat. 4 Bi Definition Social/Discussion Cancelled
Sat. 11 6-10 P.M. Bi Definition's 7 Year Anniversary Party.
Call for info 299-9612
Tues. 21 @ 7 P.M. Bi Definition Social/Discussion. Topic: "Porn
verses Erotica" LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court St.
February
Sat. 1 @ 7 P.M. Bi Definition Social/Discussion. Topic: "Porn
verses Erotica" LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court St.
Tues. 18 @ 7 P.M. Bi Definition Annual Review Meeting.
LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court St.
March
Sat. 1 @ 7 P.M. Bi Definition Social/Discussion. Topic: "Transgender:
Private & Political" LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court St.
Sat 15 Bi Spirit Day. Time and place TBA
Tues. 18 @ 7 P.M. Bi Definition Social/Discussion. Topic: "Transgender:
Private & Political" LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court St.
