10 Biggest Moments for Bisexuals and Pansexuals in 2015

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This year has been a great year for bisexual and pansexual visibility and rights. While there is still a long way to go before polysexuals reach full acceptance and inclusivity in mainstream society, it’s good to acknowledge the people and events that pushed bisexuality and pansexuality forward this year.

Here are the 10 biggest moments for bisexuals and pansexuals in 2015. 

1. White House Hosts Bisexual Advocates for Community Policy Briefing
During bisexual awareness week this year, the White House brought together LGBT, specifically bisexual, community leaders to discuss ongoing challenges faced by bisexuals — issues surrounding physical and mental health, violence, employment, and education. Often, the B is neglected in the LGBT community, and this event was a necessary step to move bisexual visibility and discourse forward.

2. Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in All 50 States
In June of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Same-sex marriage (not gay marriage) allows bisexual men and women the freedom to marry whomever they choose, regardless of sex and gender. 

3. Study: One in Two Young Adults in the U.K. Do Not Identify as Heterosexual
In a YouGov UK study, 6 percent of young adults surveyed identified as completely homosexual, but 43 percent identified as neither exclusively homosexual nor heterosexual. It seems as if younger folk are becoming more comfortable with the notion of sexual fluidity.

4. One in Three Young Adults in the U.S. Identify on the Bisexual Spectrum
Piggybacking off of the aforementioned U.K. study, YouGov conducted another study in which 31 percent of young Americans (under the age of 30) said they are not 100 percent heterosexual. This study used a Kinsey scale. Notably, according to the researchers, “24% of people aged 30 to 44 say that they're somewhere on the scale of bisexuality, compared to 8% or less of over-45s.” Bisexuality, or at least stating that one is not completely heterosexual, is increasing among younger Americans.

5. Miley Cyrus Comes Out as Pansexual
Whether or not you're a fan of Miley’s persona, there’s no denying she has been an instrumental force for support of the LGBT community. Her nonprofit, the Happy Hippie Foundation, raises money for homeless LGBTQ youth and other vulnerable populations. In addition, Miley came out as pansexual this year. Few celebrities identify as pansexual, and her coming-out started discourse surrounding the sexual orientation spectrum.

6. Shane Dawson Comes Out as Bisexual
YouTube celebrity Shane Dawson comes out as bisexual in a heartwarming video, again increasing bi visibility.

7. American Horror Story: Hotel Has a Simple and Honest Conversation About Bisexuality
Will Drake, played by Cheyenne Jackson, said to his son, who had previously thought that his father was gay, that he is actually bisexual. Drake clarified, saying, “I'm going to be blunt. Your father is bisexual. People think that word is dirty, but it's not. It means I like men and women equally." When his son questioned whether people assume he just likes men, Drake replied, "Yeah, something like that, and if you're lucky, once in your life you'll find someone who really understands you." Given how often sexually fluid characters refuse to label themselves on TV, it’s refreshing and crucial for more characters like Will Drake to come out as bisexual in a candid manner.

8. One of the Two Main Characters in Captain Underpants Is Bisexual
Remember reading Captain Underpants while growing up? Yes, it’s still around, and yes, one of the main two male characters is bisexual. In the most recent sequel to Captain Underpants, Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot, George and Harold get glimpses into the future, and the author plainly writes, “Old George, his wife and their kids, Meena and Nik, sat on the couch, while Old Harold, his husband, and their twins, Owen and Kei, plopped down on the giant beanbag chair.” Harold had female crushes growing up. When author Dav Pilkey was asked if this was a typo, he responded that it was deliberate and meant to be subtle.

9. BBC Cocumentary Tyger Takes On... Tackles the Topic of Sexual Fluidity
A recent BBC documentary featured young bisexual folk discussing the unique challenges that they face, offering an emotional and accurate representation of bisexual youth.

10. Lily-Rose Depp Comes Out as Sexually Fluid
The 16-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp and French singer Vanessa Paradis came out as sexually fluid by posing for a photo series in August this year. A caption identified her as falling "somewhere on the vast spectrum." Lily-Rose is a great embodiment of today’s youth, open to the idea of sexuality being fluid and on a spectrum, as opposed to stagnant and binary.