The very first UK Bi Pride is happening this weekend at the Round Chapel in Hackney, London where there are BSL interpreters at this free event! There are interpreters for their Entertainment Stage where UK Bi and LGBTIQA+performances and at the I Am Proud stage for panels, activism and talks. There are also stalls at the event where you can explore too to get different information and buy things. The event starts at 2pm and ends at 10pm and you can easily get your free tickets online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bi-pride-uk-2019-tickets-65781146179.
I asked Davey Nauth, a deaf bisexual man who is involved in organising this event for more information about this exciting upcoming event.
Can you explain a little about yourself and your role for the Bi-Pride?
My name is Davey Nauth and I was born hearing-impaired and use Signed Support English. I joined Bi Pride UK last year as a trustee member to organise Bi Pride UK.
How did you get involved in the first place and being deaf, is communication smooth in the organising?
Bi Pride UK advertised for committee members so I applied to get involved and accepted their offer as a Digitial and Technology trustee member. I had an BSL interpreter for the interview so it went smoothly.
In your own words, why is Bi Pride important to have in the UK today?
It will be first Bi Pride in the United Kingdom, as last year there was a first one in America. It made us realsie how important it is for us to show publicity without fear from biphobia, bi-erasure and bi-invisiblity as they are all prevalent issues. Our chairperson said “Bi and pan people are just not having their voices heard loud enough. Don’t get me wrong, Prides all across the UK do amazing things for bi people and do cater for bi groups, however people who experience attraction beyond gender, make up a significant proportion of the LGBTQ community and bi people are not getting enough of the limelight.”. We aim to create a safe space for bisexuals, pansexuals and all those who experience attraction beyond gender, projecting one simple clear message – bisexual people exist and, more importantly, bisexual people matter.
Since having being established last year, we have been giving advice to Prides across the UK on how to make them more inclusive for deaf attendances.Can you give us some advice on how to do more on this?
As I can see that your organisation have been working hard in trying to make deaf bisexuals more inclusive and visible in other Prides, you could also advise to make other Prides as accessible as possible – with BSL interpreters on-stage, and roaming BSL interpreters on-site.
How did you come about in ensuring BSL access is part of the first Bi Pride?
My colleague and I advised to have BSL interpreters on-site for deaf attendances to feel more welcome and more inclusive to their needs.
What advice would you give to people who are coming out as Bisexuals?
Please join us at our first Bi Pride UK or talk to me about future Bi events across the world. Do not listen to anyone saying that you cannot be bisexual or you have to choose only one side! No more hiding from yourself, be free and fluid in your way whatever way you wish to be!
I can be contacted at davey.trustee@biprideuk.org
