By the Bi+ Equal Research Team: Jantine van Lisdonk, Zeynab Peyghambarzadeh, Hilde Vossen, and Aida Marukyan
In January 2025, Bi+ Equal published a survey report on bi+ groups and activists in Europe. It reveals that the bi+ community in Europe is growing and ready to combine forces into a European bi+ organization or network. We are excited to share key findings from the survey.
Bi+ Equal
In our Bi+ Equal Project, Bi+ Nederland from the Netherlands, and Spectrum, a queer feminist group from France, are working together on three goals. We map existing initiatives, experiences, and needs of bi+ groups in Europe. We organize opportunities to exchange and learn from each other. And ultimately, we aim to create a European bi+ organization or network. This regional organization will give bi+ people in Europe a stronger voice, power, and visibility. This is done by the bi+ community, for the bi+ community!
The Survey
Our survey was the very first step to gather the needs and experiences of bi+ groups and activists across Europe. We mapped a total of 125 bi+ groups and 110 individual activists, and were pleasantly surprised by these high numbers. The online survey was filled in by 39 bi+ groups and 44 individual activists. The comprehensive survey report covers a wide range of topics and can be used for advocacy, research, and initiatives aimed at supporting and uplifting the bi+ community in Europe. We will also use the valuable insights for the process of creating a European bi+ organization or network.
Goals
Bi+ groups and activists mentioned most frequently that their goal was to promote bi+ visibility and inclusion within LGBTQI+ communities. Other goals that were frequently mentioned were challenging bi+ erasure and negativity, and promoting a positive, healthy, and safe community for bi+ people. Other survey findings also showed that bi+ people and activists can face challenges within or working with LGBTQI+ organizations.
Strong focus on community
Almost all the bi+ groups focused on community building. They described a wide range of activities, such as meet-ups, Pride activities, training sessions, services, and fun activities. The report gives beautiful examples, which may inspire other bi+ groups and activists.
Less focus on political advocacy
Only a few bi+ groups and activists were engaged in political advocacy, for example promoting more bi+ inclusive legislation, policies, and research. While most of them did value political advocacy, many reported that they lack the skills and budget.
Working together
Most bi+ groups have teamed up with LGBTQI+ networks and subgroups, and some have also worked with non-LGBTQI+ organizations such as feminist groups, schools, political parties, health organizations, trade unions, anti-racist groups, and businesses. These collaborations were generally positive, though a bit less so with other LGBTQI+ groups.
Financial and Human Resources
In Europe, the financial situation of bi+ groups is much weaker compared to other LGBTI+ organizations and subgroups, such as lesbian or transgender and non-binary groups. The difference was huge: many bi+ groups operate with very limited budgets, or none at all, and have to depend on volunteers, with very few having paid staff. This lack of resources impacts their ability to carry out activities. They also mentioned the emotional toll of activism, including health risks and activist burnout.
Regional differences
Similar to other LGBTQI+ communities, the situation of bi+ activists in Eastern Europe and sometimes Southern Europe was far more vulnerable or negative than that of those in Northern and Western Europe. First of all, we found few bi+ groups and activists in Eastern Europe and pan-European countries outside of the European Union. This could be related to the fact that LGBTQIA+ activism in these countries is often discouraged, restricted, or illegal. None of the bi+ groups in Eastern Europe had funding. The bi+ groups and activists in Eastern Europe generally agreed that the situation of bi+ inclusion and equality had worsened in their respective countries in the last ten years; whereas in other regions, a small minority answered that it had not.
Concerns and optimism
Generally speaking, bi+ groups and activists raised concerns about the changing political landscape in Europe and the impact on bi+ activism. Yet, there was optimism about the younger generations, who appear more open to and engaged with bi+ advocacy. Despite limited resources, bi+ groups across Europe remain dedicated and resilient, demonstrating a strong commitment to their goals. Many groups had attention for marginalized groups within their bi+ community and strived to be inclusive.
The need for a European bi+ organization
There was a high interest in developing a European bi+ organization. Such an organization could support bi+ groups across Europe, facilitate exchange and learning, and advocate for bi+ rights. Given the lack of attention to bi+ issues in European strategies and programs, this organization could address a significant gap. The survey findings also emphasize the importance of diverse representation of bi+ people in terms of age, gender, geography, and background.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the bi+ groups and activists who shared their needs and experiences in the survey! This survey and the Bi+ Equal project is being financed by the European Commission.
For more information, visit www.biplusequal.org or follow us on our socials.
Jantine van Lisdonk (she/her) is the Research Director of Bi+ Equal, co-founder of Bi+ Nederland, and an independent researcher and strategic advisor at OpenVisions. She lives in France and the Netherlands.
Zeynab Peyghambarzadeh (they/them) is the Senior Researcher of Bi+ Equal and co-founder and board member of Spectrum. Their research and activism focuses on asylum and Persian communities and they are based in the United Kingdom.
Hilde Vossen (she/they) is the Mapping Coordinator of Bi+ Equal. She is a longtime bi activist, living in The Netherlands, focused on local, national, and international networking.
Aida Marukyan (she/her) is the Researcher of Bi+ Equal. She is an Armenian queer-feminist researcher specialized in grassroots community-based advocacy for LBQT women, prioritizing community well-being in all activism efforts.