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We Exist: Rachael Kelleher

30/11/2017

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Tell us about you!

I'm a fat bisexual woman and an aspiring writer, who loves music and kittens and good food. I have an alarming appreciation for puns. 

When did you first know you were bi+?

I knew I was attracted to more than just men when I was quite young, though I didn't have the word for it at the time. I knew I was different to the people I lived with because it was more than just Leonardo Dicaprio that had this heart hammering when watching The Titanic.

It was Kate Winslet too.
Picture of Rachael Kelleher with black glasses and a smile
Rachael Kelleher
Picture of Jack and Rose from the Titanic
I had an overwhelming crush on her before I'd even hit puberty; just looking at her had me struggling to breathe. It made me squirm and look away, and then look again.

I couldn't stop looking.

I didn't learn the term for what I was experiencing until later, having picked it up through an overexposure to adult literature and fanfiction. I was 12 when I learned the term and 13 when I dared to mumble it in front of a girl from school that had knots forming inside me whenever I was alone with her.  

Are you out as a bi+ person?

I am as out as I can be without shouting it from the rooftops with a megaphone while planes streak the bi-pride tricolour through the air overhead.

I've been out online since I was a teenager, though it was to a few select people that I trusted.

I didn't come out to people offline until the summer of 2014. I was almost 22 at the time. That summer was when I came out to family, and it didn't go well in the least. I was told I couldn't be trusted to go on a vacation alone with the most wonderful female friend I could ever ask for - even though we all knew she was as straight as an arrow. I was no longer trustworthy, as though being attracted to women made me a danger suddenly, as though I couldn't control the urges I felt.

Understandably, I was more hurt than I can ever express...but I pushed past the pain of that moment. I refused to retreat into the closet. If anything, I became more prideful. I've come out to more and more people since then.

I don't think it ever stops.

But I still get to choose who has the right to know who I am because some don't deserve the right.

When have you felt the most accepted as a bi+ person? The least accepted?

I have never felt more accepted than when I discovered Bi+ Ireland existed.

Largely, I'd been isolated from other people like me. I felt like I was the one queer in the entire village. Online friends living in other countries were the one solace I had at the time.

I was suffocating from loneliness and isolation.

But that changed in 2016.

The shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando happened earlier that year, and that was what drove me out the door. It drove me to attend the Pride festival scheduled in Cork City, and it was the first time I'd ever been brave enough to do so because I was an introvert that often struggled with anxiety. I went to the Pride Picnic and came upon one of those info books that gets printed around that time.

There was an article from a member of Bi+ Ireland inside.

I almost ran home once I was finished at the picnic and I scrambled to turn the computer on. I found their facebook page as soon as possible and liked it immediately, and I was quick to inform the administrators that I wanted to join the secret group being advertised on their page.

That night I was invited to join an unofficial meet-up later that week. I couldn't breathe. I was shaking with nerves. It was the first time I ever dared to go to a bar where I wouldn't know a single person. The first thing I saw when someone from the group arrived was a man wearing a purple shirt and pulling a bi-pride flag from his backpack.

I almost cried in relief and euphoria.

I was home.
The shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando happened earlier that year, and that was what drove me out the door. It drove me to attend the Pride festival scheduled in Cork City


The moment I felt least accepted? That was during the marriage referendum in 2015. My best friend was on her erasmus in Germany, and I was visiting her family, because her home had become a refuge to me whenever mine was too toxic for me to cope with. I went to her house so I could breathe. I went to her house so I could feel loved and wanted.

I made the mistake of mentioning how excited I was for the impending referendum and my best friend's mother thought I meant the other one. I was quick to correct her.

The kitchen went dead silent as soon as the words escaped me. It was as though I'd been plunged into the heart of the Atlantic at the height of winter.

No one spoke afterwards.

I was being driven home within an hour of mentioning the referendum. Usually, my best friend's mother would drive me home after visiting, but she didn't drive me home that night. It was another visitor to the house that drove me home instead. While she was driving, she told me "it wasn't personal."

But it felt damned personal. It felt like I'd been stabbed in the heart with a shard of ice.

She went on to say, "We don't talk about the referendum in that house. It just starts arguments between the parents and kids."

Neither of us spoke after that. She dropped me outside my house. I had to hide the trembles in my hands as I opened the door and stepped inside. I didn't speak to anyone. I just went down to bed.

I broke down in tears.

What is something no one asks you about being bi+ that you wish they would, and what would you want to tell them?

I just want people to ask: How can I help make it better?

I want people to want to help us. 
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We Exist: Terri Louise Ó Leathlobhair

23/10/2017

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Tell us about you!

For someone with BPD identity is not an easy thing to figure out. I'm Bisexual. Pro Choice. Equalist. Unwilling Loner. Chronic Spoonie. Untapped Potential.
Picture of Terri Louise Ó Leathlobhair
Terri Louise Ó Leathlobhair

When did you first know you were bi+?

I knew I was bi before I knew what bi was. My first childhood crush was on a neighbourhood girl. It wasn't until secondary school that I heard someone identify as bisexual. I knew then what I was and that I didn't seem to be alone. Except bisexuality wasn't as advertised. The people that had brought me my awakening had also brought me my shame by telling me that bi didn't mean you actually liked boys and girls it meant you were gay but just not ready to say it. I knew that wasn't me so back to square one I went.

Are you out as a bi+ person?

For all intents and purposes I am out. Outwardly very proudly but with a lot of internal shame. Both my public and private coming out experiences where traumatic and not initiated by me and it has hindered how I express myself within my own family. I am trying to mention it a little more, let everybody know its not a phase. Positive responses so far.

When have you felt the most accepted as a bi+ person? The least accepted?

I'll do both in the same story.
Years ago after a terrible public outing. A gay 'friend' had decided he was going to take matters into his own hands by 'helping me really come out' he told everyone that would listen, even people I didn't know that I was a lesbian. I was already being bullied at the time. I tried to stand up for myself. I tried to combat the rumours with the truth. Turns out 'she's bisexual' wasn't as snappy a line as 'she's gay'. The bullying to my horror tried to spread to my younger sister by text but as usual she was having none of anyones bullshit. She got a text saying 'Your sisters diseased' to which she replied 'no she's not, she's bisexual' to this day she doesn't know just how validated that made me feel.
...to this day she doesn't know just how validated that made me feel.

What is something no one asks you about being bi+ that you wish they would, and what would you want to tell them?

How does it feel? How does it feel to be erased under the guise of priviledge? How does society impact you as a bisexual woman? What can we do to make it easier?

Submit your story to We Exist
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We Exist: Alan Kenneally

19/9/2017

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Tell us about you!

Bisexual cis male

When did you first know you were bi+?

When I was about 11 or 12 and hormones kicked in. In a time before the internet it was a lonely time in small town Ireland. I remember sitting between my parents watching a romantic scene on TV. Awkward enough to be sitting between your folks at that age, never mind feeling attraction to both genders.

Are you out as a bi+ person?

I am now. Or more accurately, I was, then I wasn't and now I am again. It's much easier now that I am more accepting of myself. I didn't for a long time and that wounded me deeply.
Picture
Alan Kenneally

When have you felt the most accepted as a bi+ person? The least accepted?

The most accepted was when I came out to my parents second time around and to my siblings shortly afterward. Their very Irish "So what?/Yeah, grand" was exactly what I needed when I needed it.

I felt least accepted at 18 in college. I called a LGB helpline and was ran out of credit. I was standing outside their office and the guy I had just spoken to opened the door, told me I wasn't gay enough and slammed the door in my face.

It still hurts sometimes. Last year on a visit to the Cork Gay Project I told Dave Roache about this and gave him all the info I had on this organisation. I still remember the shock on his face. By his own admission for what little comfort it offered, he told me this organisation no longer exists and then he gave me the contact info for bi+ Ireland. It's been onward and upward since.
...when I came out to my parents second time around and to my siblings shortly afterward. Their very Irish "So what?/Yeah, grand" was exactly what I needed when I needed it.

What is something no one asks you about being bi+ that you wish they would, and what would you want to tell them?

I understand people's desire to be curious and to educate themselves and sometimes questions come across as more awkward than intended.
Sometimes I'd Just like someone to ask if I'm OK?
It gives me the chance to access some support if I need it. So I can share a good or a bad experience and improve my day.

Editor note: The above mentioned group is not the National LGBT Helpline, which is a group we have close ties with, but a smaller defunct regional group.
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We Exist: Cíara Doyle

22/8/2017

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Tell us about you!

It is so hard to determine how I identify - like most people there is so much that is integral to my being. I am bisexual, polyamorous and utterly confused by my gender although I was born female. I am proud to be Irish in particular a Northside Dub. I am a geek and nerd. I am depressed and generally a very anxious introvert. I see myself as a gender equalist who is very interested in ensuring thought and consideration is given to everyone. ​
Image of Cíara Doyle
Cíara Doyle

When did you first know you were bi+?

From a very young age (maybe 4) I was interested in both girls and boys. Soon I became confused though. I knew it was okay to like girls. I knew it was okay to like boys. But I was the freak that liked both. So I kept it to myself. As I reached my pre teen years I quickly realised that not everyone was okay with people being gay. Soon I became even more frightened of the idea of telling people that I liked girls but still I found myself attracted time and time again to people in my class (a good catholic all girl school). It was only in my discovery of emo music did I first come across the term bisexuality. And suddenly, just like wearing my glasses for the first time, I could see clearly, I knew what was going on and I finally felt comfortable in my sexual preferences.
And suddenly, just like wearing my glasses for the first time, I could see clearly, I knew what was going on and I finally felt comfortable in my sexual preferences.

Are you out as a bi+ person?

I would love to say I am fully out as bi but I don’t think it is that simple. Nearly everyday people see me with my cis male partner and my baby girl and assume I am heterosexual. All too often I make a comment of a female celebrity crush and I am met with confused looks, that’s when I find myself coming out once again. Although at least now I am confident in my sexuality and confident that I can take on any challenge in my stride. Though to be honest since I first came out at 15 I have generally speaking not been afraid to say who I was. Despite being locked in bathrooms, being spat upon and losing my first beautiful girlfriend to biphobia I always tended to stand up for my sexuality and fought for respect of those who meant to put me down. That was of course for everyone bar my family, it wasn’t until MarRef that I found the confidence to come out to my family while ranting about the need for people to vote yes.
 I always tended to stand up for my sexuality and fought for respect off those who meant to put me down.

When have you felt the most accepted as a bi+ person? The least accepted?

In fear of sounding cheesy I have never felt so accepted as when I became a coordinator of Bi+ Ireland. Amongst our amazing online community I have found my people. I have found those who understand the frustration of hearing the phrase “Oh she is gay again” and I have found wonderful people who are just so beautifully kind and considerate. On top of our outstanding group I realised something else on becoming a coordinator of Bi+ Ireland: a level of respect I didn’t know my sexuality had amongst my family. A cousin in particular is very fond of directing any bi+ friends in our direction proudly stating my small involvement in the group.
As the weeks of campaigning escalated and the ferocity of the debate heated up I found myself crying alone on more occasions than I wish to think about. 
In contrast the MarRef lead to a lot of moments that had me feeling anything but accepted. Like many people I advocated a Yes vote any opportunity I got. I was involved with several Yes Vote campaigns and community groups. As the weeks of campaigning escalated and the ferocity of the debate heated up I found myself crying alone on more occasions than I wish to think about. From personal attacks to more generalised social media frenzies the cruelty of the campaign hit me time and time again. However amongst all this the moment that stands out for me the most is while I was at a community yes vote planning session. In this tiny room of allies I was the only LGBT member in the group. But all too often I was reminded by these allies that I was not actually “LGBT”. One day in particular we were recording videos on why we wanted people to vote yes to post as part of our social media campaign. 

​In contrast the MarRef lead to a lot of moments that had me feeling anything but accepted. 
My video naturally spoke of love and how I felt that as a bisexual, society was invalidating part of my sexuality by saying yes I can marry a future boyfriend but no I couldn't marry a future girlfriend. Now this video was much more adequately worded at the time but however my video was the only one that didn’t make the social media cut as “It was rude to suggest that bisexuals have a say in this vote because honestly it is nothing to do with them if gay people get to marry or not. And honestly Cíara you have to stop this attention seeking, even if you are really bi this isn’t about you lot.” Needless to say I ended up posting a series of videos to my own social media, none of which got shared by the group as they were "diluting and confusing the issue". However JK Rowling did retweet one which made me so giddy that for a brief moment I didn't care about the negativity.

What is something no one asks you about being bi+ that you wish they would, and what would you want to tell them?

Simple: 'How can I help?'
Whether that is an lgbt organisation asking how can they help integrate Bi+ into the space. Or someone asking how they can help fight biphobia or bi erasure. Like everyone in the world us bi+ peeps need help and I wish people would just ask how they can help!

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We Exist: Sharon Nolan

8/8/2017

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Tell us about you!

Queer, femme and bi as fuck! I'm a passionate feminist and activist, and enjoy getting stuck into campaigns locally and nationally to try and help make our little country a better place. I also play games and work in my spare time.

When did you first know you were bi+?

During my teenage years I realised I was attracted to women, and without any knowledge or representation of bi+ people I assumed I was gay and panicked. The label 'gay' didn't feel right as an identity for me, and initially I couldn't put my finger on exactly why - but then I later realised I was still attracted to men, and in time I learnt that it was perfectly okay. It took some internal adjusting and acceptance that being attracted to people of different genders was okay, and then started coming out to people when I moved away for college.
Picture of Sharon Nolan
Sharon Nolan
I want to help build spaces and understanding for our bi+ community, where we're not erased or reduced to a joke. ​

I grew up in rural Ireland and as a teen I'd have loved to have a safe space to be myself and discuss my sexuality with peers, but I never had that. This experience immediately drew me to the advocacy side of our LGBT+ community when I did find them, so I threw myself into being involved in LGBT+ spaces in college. Sadly, these spaces were where I experienced some of the worst biphobia of my life... but it empowered me to try and stay involved and change these experiences for others. I want to help build spaces and understanding for our bi+ community, where we're not erased or reduced to a joke. This journey led me to becoming involved with Bi+ Ireland, which is honestly one of the best decisions of my life!

Are you out as a bi+ person?

I'm out everyone I believe (or as much as you can be in a hetronomative world I guess) but it definitely was a process that took years. With being bi and in a relationship, there's always a process of repeated coming out as so many people assume you're gay or straight depending on your partner's gender.

Some people took it better than others over the years, but I've come to accept that (mostly). I love nerding out on all things gender and sexuality which leads me to doing a lot of reading and research on the topics - but not everyone shares that passion and can be unsettled when people don't fit their black and white worldview.

I've a small tattoo on my wrist, a heart in the bi colours. The naysayers out there consider bisexuality to be a phase, and tattoos to be regretful - so what better way to give the middle finger to them all with a bi+ tattoo! It's a little reminder I carry everywhere to remind myself that nobody has the ability to erase my identity or who I am.
Nobody has the ability to erase my identity or who I am.

When have you felt the most accepted as a bi+ person? The least accepted?

Nothing should be about us without us.
Most accepted? During our Bi+ Ireland events. Be it a meetup with just a few people, marching in Pride, monthly meetings with the other coordinators, my heart sings when I'm with my fellow community members.

Least Accepted? During the marriage referendum. It was pretty harrowing to be so personally affected by an issue I was campaigning for, but also completely erased from the campaign. I was actively involved with leafleting and canvassing - but with the campaign style it lead to people assuming I was gay and that only gay people were affected by marriage equality. The bi and trans erasure during that campaign was extremely frustrating, nothing should be about us without us - and even challenging the erasure within our LGBT+ community was tough.

What is something no one asks you about being bi+ that you wish they would, and what would you want to tell them?

The one thing I wished I was asked is from gay-centric spaces and "LGBT" organisations. It's "How could we do better to include bi+ people?" There is so much progress with the gay and trans movements that has me beaming with pride, but I'm tired of bi+ people being marginalised in the majority of LGBT+ spaces. We need to do better.
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We Exist: Chris Noone

2/8/2017

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Tell us about you!

Queer guy, democratic socialist, feminist, humanist, activist and researcher.

When did you first know you were bi+?

I knew that I wasn't just attracted to girls from a very early age. In fact, I don't remember ever feeling any other way - but I do clearly remember learning that it was not a widely accepted way to be. ​
Picture of Chris Noone
Chris Noone
I remember agreeing with some of the girls in primary school about how cute our mutual friend's older brother was. I hadn't even thought twice about what I was saying but suddenly I was being ridiculed. It was almost another 10 years before I told anyone that I was open to dating any gender. I think the first time I realised that other people did feel like this and that they identified as bisexual was actually while watching "Desperate Housewives" one night with my mam when I was about 15. I don't remember the character's name but I do remember him clearly articulating that he was bi and finding that exciting because it seemed to fit my own experience. 
I don't remember ever feeling any other way - but I do clearly remember learning that it was not a widely accepted way to be."
Still, seeing no LGBT+ people in the town where I grew up, and the lack of acceptance for those thought to not be straight resulted in many years of convincing myself that it was best to stay in the closet. My sexuality became a source of significant anxiety for me, though nobody else would realise this. Later, in my final year of college, a drunken confession to a gay friend led to my first time kissing a guy. It was only then that I really knew that I wanted to embrace my sexuality for what it was. It wasn't easy, it took more years, but I began to come out and to explore my identity and our community. Getting involved in LGBT+ activism really helped this process!

Are you out as a bi+ person?

I am lucky enough to be out to my family, friends and colleagues. However, coming out took a long time. For several years, it was just a few close friends and my girlfriend at the time who knew, and I barely ever talked about it. It is only since the months after the Marriage Equality referendum that this has been the case though. This campaign gave me the chance to participate in LGBT+ spaces without fear of being outed or of feeling like an outsider. I met many fantastic people during this, including my first boyfriend. This gave me the confidence to come out, and this was the most liberating thing I have ever done. It wasn't easy, and it was particularly difficult to ensure that people understood my bi identity, but I'm fortunate to have friends and family who support me and the LGBT+ community.

When have you felt the most accepted as a bi+ person? The least accepted?

Most accepted - I've immersed myself in the local LGBT community since coming out and in activism more broadly. I feel a tremendous sense of belonging in these spaces, but my bi identity is often not known or forgotten about. I'm usually assumed to be straight or gay depending on where I am and who I'm with. The most accepted I've ever felt as a bi person was the first time I met the other coordinators from Bi+ Ireland. We shared our stories, much like this, and it was refreshing to have the usual interest and acceptance to be accompanied by real understanding.
​
​Least accepted - I remember a time before I came out where I was experiencing a lot of anxiety and generally feeling low. I decided that I should seek help and I found one of the very few mental health professionals in Galway with whom I could afford to book an appointment. I talked about how I was feeling and about me in general but it took me almost the entire hour to mention that I was bi. As soon as I did, I immediately sensed a discomfort from her that was not there before. She then completely glossed over what I had said and immediately linked "feeling confused" as a natural response to anxiety. I didn't go back to her. She didn't listen and she didn't understand. All mental health professionals have the responsibility to inform themselves regarding LGBT+ identities and issues; nothing less is acceptable.  
All mental health professionals have the responsibility to inform themselves regarding LGBT+ identities and issues; nothing less is acceptable.

What is something no one asks you about being bi+ that you wish they would, and what would you want to tell them?

I wish people would simply ask what the best aspects of being bi are instead of making the usual assumptions. I would tell them that it is liberating to be part of, and learn from, a group embraces true diversity, practices radical inclusion and combats oppression of all forms.
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Bi+ Ireland is a network of people who fit somewhere under the bi+ umbrella, and who have close ties to Ireland. We are community group run by volunteers. You can reach us at biirelandnetwork@gmail.com.
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