Step Up For Mental Health under our Bi Social Network Project was given this statement (from a concerned community member) that was sent out from BiNet USA’s President Faith Cheltenham and Juba Kalamka, BiNet USA VP. This email was dated May 3, 2020, at 9:42 p.m., 10:02 p.m., 10:10 p.m. We are posting this information as it was written. We will send out an editorial on this in the coming days.
If you are looking for support and interested in mental health peer support, please reach out to us via our helpline at Step Up For Mental Health for our 1:1 Peer Chat Support. We also have an upcoming monthly Bi+ Peer Support Group on May 23 @ 6-7 pm CST. Register now and join us for supportive conversations about how we as the bi+ community can come together during these stressful times.
STATEMENT ON THE USE OF BISEXUAL PRIDE FLAG
BY BINET USA PRESIDENT, thefayth
With assistance and edits from Juba Kalamka, BiNet USA VP
As of May 2020, BiNet USA CEASES AND DESISTS OF ALL USE OF THE BISEXUAL PRIDE FLAG; using only when necessary the bisexual people of color flag, as co-created in 2019 by thefayth, Faith Cheltenham.
Further, BiNet USA denies all responsibilities of past or future claims for any bisexual pride flag use,or any use of any previous property created by former volunteers, staff and employees of BiNet USA, including the bisexual pride flag, Celebrate Bisexuality Day aka Bi Pride Day and Bisexual Awareness Week.
BiNet USA is not the bisexual community. BiNet USA has no responsibility to specific bisexual organizations or organizers unless jointly agreed upon. BiNet USA rejects any responsibility to any other bisexual organizations and organizers unless its organizers, staff and volunteers are compensated.
No member of bisexual communities may use photos, written words or messaging from BiNet USA web, digital or written materials without it’s express permission.
No member or bisexual communities may use photos, written words or messaging from thefayth, Faith Cheltenham without her express permission on behalf of bisexual communities; even previously provided.
Any license previously given from thefayth, Faith Cheltenham for “bisexual community” photos, written word or messaging is expressly revoked.
STATEMENT BY THEFAYTH ABOUT THE BISEXUAL COMMUNITY
By thefayth, BiNet USA President
With additional edits/support from Juba Kalamka, BiNet USA VP
Bisexual communities have been notified of my intent to remove my networks, support and help from those who center white supremacy or practice trans exclusionary radical feminism. Simply put, I do not believe bisexual exclusionary communities (or beci’s) to represent the bisexual community.
When I emailed, messaged and tweeted at “Jayne Shea” and messaged her last Tuesday, I did so because I’d seen Seattle continuing to thrive with TERF’s, or people who exclude trans people.
It occurred to me, that the same group reported to BiNet USA for allowing cis only women was possibly closely associated with Jayne Shea; this has now been confirmed. And now the rest is history, Black-bisexual-intersex-trans history as I, thefayth, recently became more public in my transition from assumed cis female to known intersex trans multi-gender being.
Do the previous personal statements, structural and procedural changes described previously mean that BiNet USA is finished doing intersectional advocacy within bisexual communities? Absolutely not.
I, thefayth, Faith Cheltenham, have asked Juba Kalamka to step up into the presidency of BiNet USA; he’s agreed to begin serving on January 21, 2021.
Personally speaking I think, it’s important to honor and join a legacy of many Black people disposed of in social justice, but keep in mind: this flushing was intentional.
I don’t believe bisexual, or any ostensible LGBTQIA “communities” accept or celebrate trans, intersex, Black, and/or otherwise multiple marginalized people when all those checkboxes combine into real humans.
Many LGBTQIA community organizations, despite their protestations to the contrary, remain centers for the replication and assertion of overcultural dynamics of misogynoir, transmisogyny, ableism, ageism, sexism, anti-Blackness, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and racism/global white supremacy.
I take no part in it; meaning I reject the assertion that my presidency of BiNet USA or Juba Kalamka’s must mean that we represent all bisexuals, as opposed to the most vulnerable bisexuals (and bi+ members who use different labels for their fluid sexualities).
If they have bread, if they have running water, or basic supplies in the time of the virus? That’s the work BiNet USA and myself remain committed to.
Sign up to participate in global supply & virtual food deliveries: bit.ly/bicprcovid19
BiNet USA | 4201 Wilson Blvd, #110-311, Arlington, VA 22203-1859
JUBA KALAMKA BECOMES BINET PREZ ON 1/21/21
FURTHER LEADERSHIP CHANGES COMING, JUBA KALAMKA BECOMES BINET PREZ ON 1/21/21
By BiNet USA President, Faith Cheltenham, thefayth
With additional edits/support from Juba Kalamka, BiNet USA VP
Per BiNet USA Board of Directors vote on May 2nd, 2020, for protection and safety; the names and personal information of BiNet USA employees, volunteers and board are no longer available to the public, unless otherwise legally required.
In September 2019, the current board of BiNet USA approved the future disclosure of all private donations made by Faith Cheltenham via BiNet USA. This was part of an agreed upon step-down plan with thefayth after board service as the most active board member, volunteer and staff member of BiNet USA from 2004-2018.
On May 2nd, 2020, the BiNet USA board (members: 6 [six]) agreed to fast-track this accounting, including externally prepared financial statements outlining each individual, city and/or “bisexual” organization that directly benefited from donations, grant funding, and fundraising directed by Faith Cheltenham and BiNet USA (usually completed via direct payment to the needy bisexual via Paypal, Venmo or Zelle).
This accounting including prepared statement is forthcoming within 3 (three) months and will include the name, city and organization that benefitted from direct donation from BiNet USA members and employees.
This accounting is not offered to make up for public assertions of thefayth, Faith Cheltenham (and attendantly, BiNet USA) “stealing the bisexual pride flag”, but to better set the record bisexual as to the historic accomplishments of BiNet USA volunteers including thefayth’s significant and sizable donations across bisexual communities with intersectional emphasis, alongside so many other individuals who contributed.
Further, BiNet USA Board was informed by a former President of her intentional executive decision to bypass board approval for the original flag, we were not aware of this, and we hope to learn more about this context.
