When I first started Community for Women,
specifically to provide personal and professional support for bisexual
professional women, I hoped that it would grow well enough and healthily enough
to give rise to real, live groups that women like us would enjoy being part of.
By "women like us", I am stating
that we have commonalities quite apart from our sexuality. We are professionals, or businesses owners
(although we may be retired, between jobs, studying, or otherwise on leave), are articulate,
well-educated and well-read. We have solid expertise and experience to
offer each other. We are also quite certain of our bisexuality.
If you would like your group to be listed here and
thereby give other bisexual women in your area a contact point, you
do need to meet the following criteria:
The group must be for professional bisexual
women only. This can mean women who are studying, as well as women who
are "between projects" or even retired. It is not for men, although
there may be some events which male partners may be invited to, with the
approval of the group.
The purpose of the group must be to provide
social and career/business support.
The group must meet in places that are safe and
comfortable for women to travel to and from, and to be in.
There cannot be an entry fee to the meeting
venue, nor may the organiser profit from meetings.
Any member who is abusive or predatory must be
immediately expelled. Civil behaviour is expected at all times.
The group supports members who may want to be
"out" or "more out" but does not require that members be out.
The group is represented by at least 3 women in
the Community for Women chat list.
Obviously these groups need to be safe places for
the members. This means that they cannot be regarded as forums for picking
up and members and visitors are expected to treat one another respectfully at
all times. Any complaints about disrespectful of inappropriate behaviour
will see the group de-listed from this page.
I deeply regret having to say some of these things, but
after unfortunate experience with the lesbian community I am even more keen to
maintain the safety and security of women who want to be associated with us.
Women need to know that they are joining a quality organisation, a community
which is caring and nurturing, and that they can relax and have fun knowing
they're in a safe environment.
Lastly, just because you see a group in your town or city, this doesn't mean
you have to join it. You can also start your own. Groups work better
if the people in them have a lot in common, and if people don't have to travel
too far to take part.
Metro 1: This
little group has just formed (March 2006). Women who would like to join
should email Naomi at
chortle@cheerful.com. We plan to hold mostly morning coffees and
dinner functions. Partners will be invited to at least a few events.
