I am from Russia and my country is homophobic. When thinking about Russia, it might not be the first characteristic that comes to mind, but I can assure you that it is one of the most prevalent in describing the contemporary Russian society. Most of my friends with whom I spoke about this issue replied…
Tag: Europe
Janika Saul, Estonia
Robyn Ochs: Janika, please tell us about yourself. Janika Saul: I am 25 years old and happy. I live in Estonia, a small Eastern European country. We Estonians would like to think our country is as developed as Western Europe, though in reality in some important ways it is not. I was born in a…
Around the World: Noelia Mellado Pozas, Palma de Mallorca (Belearic Islands), Spain
Interview by Robyn Ochs Noelia Mellado Pozas leads the Bisexual Policy Group of FELGTB, Spain’s national LGBTI organization. RO: Noelia please tell us a bit about yourself. NMP: My name is Noelia Mellado Pozas. I was born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and I’m 26 years old. I studied Hispanic Philology at the University of the Balearic Islands…
Polina Skibinskaya, A Tri-national Bisexual from Ukraine, US and Canada
By Robyn Ochs Polina Skibinskaya: I was born in Odessa, Ukraine, back when it was part of the Soviet Union. Odessa had a spirit similar to New York: it has its own slang, a rich dark comedy culture, and a sort of romanticized history of mafia wars. A person from Odessa can usually be spotted…
Jacquelyn Applebee, London, UK
By Robyn Ochs Robyn Ochs: Please tell us about yourself. Jacquelyn Applebee: I was born and raised in London, England. I’m currently a published writer of erotic fiction, although I work in an academic library too; sadly they only stock business books, so it’s not much use to me! I’m out at work as bisexual,…
Elena Marcos, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
By Robyn Ochs I met Elena in August at the International Conference on Bisexuality. In her 20s, friendly and with an easy smile, Elena combines enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose with intelligence and calm attentiveness. Robyn Ochs: Elena, please tell us a little bit about your background. Elena Marcos: I was born in…
“Paula”: the Portuguese Word for Bi Activist?
By Robyn Ochs From July 16 through August 4, 2009, I did a European book tour to promote the new second edition of Getting Bi. In Oporto, Portugal, I was warmly welcomed into the home of Paula Antunes, Sofia Fonseca and their daughter Mariana. Of the first three Portuguese bi activists I had met, two…
Hilde Vossen, The Hague, Netherlands
by Robyn Ochs It is an honor to feature Hilde Vossen, a long-time activist who has had a major impact on both the Dutch and international bi movements. Robyn: Please tell us about yourself. Hilde: Hallo! Ik heet Hilde Vossen… Hi! My name is Hilde Vossen and I live in The Hague. My twin brother…
Around the World: Christine Gangstad Johansen, Oslo, Norway
Interview by Robyn Ochs Christine Gandstad Johansen is a co-founder of Visible, a group for bisexual/pansexual people in Oslo, Norway operating under the umbrella of Fri, Norway’s national LGBTQ+ organization. I met Christine in June, when she arranged to have Fri bring me to Oslo to speak at Pride week events. Oslo has quite an impressive Pride, with…
Around the World: Anne Müller, Hamburg, Germany
By Anne Müller I grew up in the northern part of Germany in a large farm house far away from other children except my three much older siblings and was rather lonesome. I liked being with animals and with my books and was not prepared for puberty and its effects on me. From books and magazines…