2012 Overview

BiReCon is a conference for anyone with an interest in contributing to, or finding out about, current work on bisexuality. The conference aims to bring together academics, professionals, activists, and the bisexual community. It is organised by BiUK (www.biuk.org) and is held every two years – see the BiUK website for information about past BiReCons. This year it will take place on Thursday 9th August 2012 at Bradford University.

BiReCon 2012: Bisexuality and Mental Health

Research suggests that bisexual people are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidality than lesbian, gay or heterosexual people. Biphobia and bisexual invisibility can mean that if bi people seek help from health professionals and therapists they are not always well supported. However it is also clear that many bisexual people experience benefits to their mental wellbeing from being bi, such as a sense of independence, self-awareness and authenticity and an ability to develop identities and relationships without restrictions. In this conference we aim to explore both mental health problems and mental wellbeing for bisexual people.

This year’s programme includes keynote speeches by Roshan das Nair, Meg Barker and Christina Richards, and papers on topics including bisexuality, nonmonogamies and therapy, eating disorders in bisexual men, and bisexuality and madness in the works of Shakespeare and Spenser. A full list of speakers and abstracts can be found here.

Booking details

The conference fee is £50 (£25 concessions). Payment is by bank transfer/cheque in advance, or cash on the day. If this fee is likely to cause you any difficulty, please get in touch with us. Please note that, if you’re also attending BiCon and have a weekend ‘pass’, there is no need to pay, but you do need to fill in a BiReCon booking form.

Click here to book. The deadline for online bookings was 3rd August, but it’s still possible to turn up and pay with cash on the day.

Venue

BiReCon will take place in Student Central, the University’s student union building.

University of Bradford Union of Students

Student Central

University of Bradford

Richmond Road

Bradford

West Yorkshire

BD7 1DP

Directions to the venue are available on the main BiCon website here. Access information is available here.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any refreshments or lunch as part of BiReCon. There are places nearby you can buy food and drinks or you are welcome to bring your own.