LinkedIn edition: In honour of the annual EDI Open Forum - an on-theme reflection of the LGBTQIA+ Empowerment Programme 2025.

Almost 9 months after debut - year 2 of the programme isn't over yet, but on the day of the EDI Open Forum, I wanted to share how I more empowered.

Being seen by my university has helped me to see myself differently. There is confidence and self-esteem I've gained that cannot be brought down by Biphobia and hate against the queer community. I feel a deep sense of peace with who I am, who I continue becoming.

I feel more comfortable being a role model to others now, something I have felt uneasy about at some points in the past for various reasons. My experience with Bisexuality is a lot like being Neurodivergent - I was strongly getting the impression that there must be a right way go about things to fit in and I would always be missing the mark, which left me feeling unseen (how can people see me when I am not showing myself to them), and how could I be content chasing something unattainable?

But the way I do ME, the way I represent myself and endeavour to understand the stronger sense of who I am, I know I am doing right by myself (and for that I am proud) and by my community and I can show others that you do not need to meet any ideals or conformity, in or outside a community, the only standards you have to meet are your own. And you do have to keep at it - anything less than being true to yourself is something to keep working on and figuring it out!

Be kind to yourself in the meantime!

People don't need you to be polished, they need you to be real because that is the version that can best represent yourself and relate to others who need to see others like themselves or people challenging conformity and their own expectations that can leave them second-guessing.

It's not just mean comments online, its the harmful myths and stereotypes that I hear (and its not usually a negative thing to fit a stereotype either!) in real life (quite often, mind you) about Bisexuals that has made me question myself (and how I am presenting myself) but I am who I am and I am rather fond of this part of myself!

Still, words - spoken and unspoken, can cut deep, and its programme that this the offer the support, the empowerment, that matters most because we are coaching ourselves to change our inner voice. We cannot change the actions of others, but we can keep improving how we speak to ourselves, how we respond to feelings of hurt and rejection and isolation, and choose to support ourselves and choose to put more love into the community, and to stay inspired in ways that motivate and uplift. There is so much positive to focus on: positive thinking and positive action.

It's never a matter of "how to be accepted", it’s a matter of how to accept yourself and own it regardless of people's responses to how you decide to exist - visibly. We all deserve to be seen as we are.