1/ This hasn't been touched on much in the campaign but the ban on conversion therapy has implications for bisexual people who have also historically been the target of conversion practices alongside their LGTQI+ counterparts https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-05/victorias-gay-conversion-bill-passes-upper-house/13122058
2/ Much of the focus has been on religious contexts but as this research details bisexuality has also been treated by some therapists as the cause of mental health issues that can be remedied through conversion to exclusive monosexuality https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-08218-003
3/ Research shows bisexual people are more prone to mental health issues but that this is hugely due to the marginalisation felt occupying the liminal space between straight and queer communities, often having to negotiate the expectation to "chose a side" https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-47206-008
4/ Bisexual stories are harder to tell in campaigns like in the recent one around conversion therapy because there is a lot to have to unpack and explain that goes beyond "I'm gay and this practice tried to make me straight"
5/ At a Bi+ conference last year a leader in the conversion therapy campaign told the group Bi+ stories just wouldn't cut through in the same way and that this was also an issue during the postal survey about same sex marriage. (This contributes to falling between the cracks!)
6/ And yet, the fact that the ban on conversion therapy has now become law in Victoria is something for everyone in the LGBTIQ+ community to celebrate
Let's hope that as we move forward we can complicate stories about who is affected and how, and what still needs to change
