Members of the Oklahoma City University community celebrated Bisexual Awareness Day Sept. 23.
First officially observed in 1999 at the International Lesbian and Gay Association in Johannesburg, South Africa, Bisexual Awareness Day is observed internationally to recognize and celebrate bisexuals and their community’s history.
OCU CARE, which stands for Creatives Advocating for Realistic Equity, celebrated Bisexual Awareness Day by posting informational graphics on their social media outlets and highlighting bisexual students around campus.
Senior Music Theater major Arissa Brown serves as the Queer Inclusivity Branch Leader at OCU CARE and organized their response to Bisexual Awareness Day.
“My job is to make sure that queer people feel included,” Brown said. “I myself am a genderqueer and bisexual individual, so bisexual visibility is incredibly important to me because if I had seen that kind of healthy representation and acceptance as a kid I think I would have felt more comfortable with my identity sooner.”
According to Brown, the bisexual community on this campus is prominent, confident, and proud, and the queer community as a whole is inclusive and welcoming.
“This campus has definitely encouraged me to be present more so in a way that aligns with my identity,” Brown said.
“I have become more comfortable speaking, dressing, and acting as a queer person than I had previously in my primary education.”
Brown admits that while Oklahoma is not necessarily the poster child for gay rights, this campus advocates for a culture wherein queerness is not only accepted but also celebrated and needed in order to have a more well-rounded community, education, and experience.
CARE works to facilitate those values in all aspects of the diverse campus community.
OCU CARE is welcome to the entire campus.
“Currently, we work mainly with the deans within the School of Music but we have been seeking ways to branch out and find ways to connect with the School of Theatre, the School of Dance, non-vocalists and actors, musicians, or people who are not involved in the arts at all,” Brown said.
“More than anything, we want everyone’s voice to be heard and respected.”
If you are looking to get involved with CARE, visit their social media @ocu_care, or connect with them by emailing OCUCare@okcu.edu.
“CARE is open to all however, if CARE is not your jam and you want to get involved on campus in a queer space, OKCU Spectrum is a wonderful group and is led by some wonderful people,” Brown said.
“I would also recommend seeking them out if you are looking for more than one organization in which to find community.”
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