When Adrienne Williams lost her job a few years ago, she fell into a funk. The former information technology specialist decided she needed a project, something that would lift her mood.
“Reflecting on my life,” she said, “basically at the heart of the economic crunch, I just felt like, ‘OK, what’s going to get me to be happy? What do I want to do?’ I was tired of the freelance thing… I just felt like I wanted to do something that was meaningful for me.”
An out bisexual woman, Williams had long felt there was a dearth of bisexual content in the media, so she decided to fix that. Using skills she honed managing other people’s websites, Williams created the Bi Social Network. Originally intended to be an online magazine, the network quickly morphed into a thriving social media hub, drawing fans from around the globe.
With more than 1,500 registered members and an additional 12,000-18,000 readers per month, the Bi Social Network is the largest and most comprehensive online community for bisexuals.
The site features blogs, online forums, a radio show, videos, photos, news and editorials. It focuses its attention on relevant entertainment items, such as the shows True Blood and Grey’s Anatomy, which feature bisexual characters.
Much to Williams’ surprise, bisexuals aren’t the only ones who have noticed her. She’s been invited to attend President Obama’s third annual LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House, scheduled for June 29.
“I didn’t think by any means I would be a part of it,” she said. “I’m so new. I’ve been a part of the LGBT community for years, but the site is only about two-and-a-half years old… There are other people who’ve been doing it a longer time than me.”
The White House press department confirmed the reception’s date, but was unable to release further details by press deadline. Williams received a paper invitation in the mail. With gold leaf writing and an embossed seal, it reminded her of a formal wedding invitation (“It has really nice penmanship, I will say that.”).
This will mark the lifelong Chicagoan’s first trip to Washington D.C. Although she is excited, Williams is not letting the impending trip distract her from the Bi Social Network. She regularly hosts “Bi Talk” Radio and manages the site’s “I am Visible” campaign, a yearlong project designed to give bisexuals a platform for expression.
“In every community, whether it’s gay, lesbian or straight, there are some kind of self-doubt or identity issues,” Williams said. For bisexuals, it’s often hard to find understanding. “People say, ‘When are you going to go this way? When are you going to go gay? When are you going to change over?'”
Through personal videos, blog posts and essays, bisexuals from around the world talk about what it is to bisexual in the “I am Visible” campaign. Williams hopes the site will educate non-bisexuals and feel liberating for bisexuals: “I want them to say, ‘I’m bisexual, and that’s it.'”