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Bisexual KilljoyS3E9: Pride in the Messy MiddleWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! Here we are at the end of another season, and boy, are our arms tired. We ran the gamut from mental health, from race to economics, spirituality, class, parenthood, and neurodiversity. And by talking about these big topics, we were able to learn more about ourselves and each other. In this episode, we recap the season, meditate on community, and make predictions on Pride.
We’re off for the summer but are already planning for season 4. Until we meet again, keep being a Bisexual Killjoy. Stay bisexual, and stay strong.
Host...2025-06-2548 minBisexual KilljoyS3E8: Liminality as Labor: Class and Bi+ Survival with Alicia OrtiWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! What does it mean to survive as a bi+ person in a world structured by class? In one of our most expansive and layered conversations to date, Bailey and Jace are joined by educator, activist, and musician Alicia Ortiz to unpack the taboo of talking about class, especially in queer spaces. Together, we explore how class functions as a sticky object in our lives, how bi+ people uniquely navigate systems of poverty and power, and why the myth of meritocracy doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
From identity politics and the legacy of...2025-06-111h 26Bisexual KilljoyS3E7: Too Much & Never Enough: Being a Bi+ WomanWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! What does it mean to become a bi+ woman in a world that says you’re either too much or not enough? In this episode, we dive deep into the messiness of womanhood, gender socialization, and bi+ identity. Grounded in Simone de Beauvoir’s iconic quote, “One is not born, but rather becomes, woman,” we unpack the violence of gender norms, internalized misogyny, femmephobia, and the social construction of sex itself.
We talk about the personal and political stakes of being bi+ and femme in a world that demands your compliance—and punishes y...2025-05-2845 minBisexual KilljoyS3E6: Sacred Spaces, Queer Faces with Dr. Samantha CostaWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, “Sacred Spaces, Queer Faces,” we sit down with Dr. Samantha Costa to explore the fraught and fascinating relationship between bi+ identity and faith. From the lingering trauma of “pray the gay away” ideologies to the quieter pressures to suppress bi+ness in religious spaces, we unpack how bi+ people navigate spiritual lives in the face of erasure and exclusion. Together, we ask: Is it possible to hold onto faith without organized religion? Can bi+ people build spiritual practices that reflect their whole selves? And what might a theology of in-betweenness look like in...2025-05-1446 minBisexual KilljoyS3E5: Parenting While Bi+ with Ellen Davenport-PleasanceWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, we explore the intersection of bi+ identity and parenting, a topic many of our listeners have been eager for us to dig into. To help us navigate this conversation, Dr. Ellen Davenport-Pleasance, a leading researcher on bi+ parenting and director of the Bisexual Research Group, joins us. Together, we unpack how bi+ parents experience minority stress, family dynamics, and cultural socialization, and why bi+ people are both more likely to be parents and yet remain underrepresented in queer narratives. We also talk about how bi+ parents can foster affirming environments for...2025-04-3042 minBisexual KilljoyS3E4: Bisexual Killjoys at the Intersection of Bi+ Boulevard and Neurodiverse AvenueWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, we’re diving into a conversation many of you have asked us to cover: what it means to be both neurodiverse and bi+. As bi+ folks with ADHD, we’re not just talking theory; we’re sharing our lived experiences, the lack of affirming research at this intersection, and the powerful stories you’ve shared.
We’re exploring how neurodivergence and bi+ness co-exist, how pathologizing narratives have failed us, and why we need more affirming, participant-driven research. We ground our conversation in two of Alex Toft’s articles and use them...2025-04-1634 minBisexual KilljoyS3E3: Queering Race and Bi+ Identity with Zori PaulWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! In this episode, we explore the intersection of bi+ identity and race, unpacking how structural oppression, racial stereotypes, and exclusion from mainstream queer spaces affect bi+ people of color. To guide us through this conversation, we’re joined by the amazing Dr. Zori Paul. We’re zeroing in on how bi+ oppression intersects with racial oppression, the impact of colorblindness in queer spaces, and the importance of creating affirming, community-driven spaces for queer people of color. We’re also talking about resilience through affirmation and coalition-building and how bi+ people of color can find and cu...2025-04-0256 minBisexual KilljoyS3E2: Bi+ Minds Matter with Mimi HoangWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! This week, we’re diving into bi+ mental health with a very special guest: Dr. Mimi Hoang. In honor of Bi+ Health Awareness Month, we discuss the mental health disparities bi+ folks face, the lack of research on bi+ BIPOC communities, and why it’s critical to have bi+ affirming mental health professionals. We also explore the role of community as a protective factor, how bi+ activism has shaped national advocacy efforts, and practical steps bi+ folks can take to access care and support.
Dr. Mimi Hoang is an internationally recognized psychologist, life...2025-03-1937 minBisexual KilljoyS3E1: Bisexual Killjoys at the IntersectionsWelcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! We’re kicking off Season 3 with a deep dive into intersectionality—what it actually means, how it’s been co-opted, and why it’s essential for bi+ folks navigating multiple forms of marginalization. Originally coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality is not just about personal identity—it’s a framework that reveals systemic gaps where people are most vulnerable. In this episode, Bailey and Jace break down how overlapping systems of oppression impact bi+ people and why single-issue solutions will never be enough.
This season is all about resistance. As political attacks on qu...2025-03-0529 minBisexual KilljoyS2E9: Bisexuality Is My ResistanceThat’s a wrap on Season 2! In our season finale, Bailey and Jace reflect on their journey through a season packed with bi+ insights, activism, and community building. From personal growth to political resistance, this episode dives deep into what it means to center bi+ness in your life, research, politics, and activism.
Join us as we discuss the power of solidarity, the importance of preserving bi+ history, and the transformative potential of bisexuality as a form of resistance. Plus, we share tangible actions to stay engaged, safe, and empowered as we navigate uncertain political times.
...2024-12-2531 minBisexual KilljoyS2E8: The Protective Role of Biposivity with Allison CiprianoBisexual Killjoy is back with a much-needed dose of bi-positivity! This week, Bailey and Lynn dive into the concept of bipositivity—what it means, why it matters, and how it can profoundly impact the well-being of bi+ individuals. Joining us is Dr. Allison Cipriano, a newly minted PhD, assistant professor of social psychology at Ball State University, and co-author of “The Nature and Perceived Effects of Bipositivity Among Plurisexual Women,” published in the Journal of Bisexuality.
Together, we explore how bipositivity fosters resilience, strengthens community bonds, and enhances mental health for bi+ folks, all while navigating a world...2024-12-1144 minBisexual KilljoyS2E7: Preserving Bi+ Stories in Comics with Kat CalamiaBisexual Killjoy returns with a deep dive into the world of comics as a transformative medium for storytelling, particularly for bi+ narratives. This week, we’re joined by Kat Calamia, co-writer and co-creator of The Witches of Oz, The Beast & Snow, Nightmare in Wonderland, and Bi Visibility: A Bisexual Comic Book Anthology. Together, we explore how comics empower bi+ individuals to share nuanced, multi-layered stories that embrace the beauty and complexity of bi+ identities.
Kat discusses her journey as a comic creator, the demand for bi+ representation as seen in her wildly successful Kickstarter campaigns, and how pr...2024-11-2729 minBisexual KilljoyS2E6: Resisting Bi+ Oppression with Alicia OrtizIn this episode of Bisexual Killjoy, we sit down for our first-ever in-person interview with Alicia Ortiz. Alicia shares insights on using songwriting to inspire social action, drawing from her extensive experience in organizing campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality, workers' rights, immigration reform, reproductive justice, and racial equity. Her work emphasizes coalition building and the transformative power of uniting diverse communities—a core principle in her anti-oppression programs and her teachings on empowerment, healthy relationships, and self-defense.
Together, we explore how bi+ folks can strengthen their voices and find allies across different communities, even amidst erasure and rejection. Al...2024-11-1345 minBisexual KilljoyS2E5: Bi-Visibility in Media with Patricia SilvaWelcome back, Bisexual Killjoys. Did you miss us? We missed you! In this episode, we’re getting on the same page, sweeping out the cobwebs, spilling the tea, and pumping ourselves up for our best season yet. So, if you don’t remember what a Bisexual Killjoy is, don’t worry; Bailey makes Lynn take us all back to school.
Patricia Silva is a queer (bi/pan) nonbinary artist working with available light, cameras, words, research, and educational modules to facilitate a deeper understanding of the contours of identities, queer inquiry, and relationships between diaspora and place(s). Th...2024-10-3048 minBisexual KilljoyS2E4: Plurisexuality & Polyamory with Leanne YauBisexual Killjoy is back to sit down with Polyphilia founder Leanne Yau to explore the intersections of polyamory and plurisexuality, diving into the challenges and stigmas that come with embracing these identities in a monogamous society. Leanne shares insights on how to practice polyamory in a healthy way, red flags to look out for, and whether polyamory belongs in the LGBTQ+ community. We debunk misconceptions of hypersexuality often projected onto bi+ and polyamorous folks and discuss how intimacy and visibility can help break down stigma. We challenge listeners to question normative relationships and embrace the radical nature of living...2024-10-1641 minBisexual KilljoyS2E3: The Double Erasure of Bi+ Men with Rob Brooks CohenBisexual Killjoy is back to talk about our least favorite and most persistent myth: Bi+ men don’t exist! To help us navigate the double erasure of bi+ men, relationship navigation, monogamy, polyamory, and the radical act of being out, Rob Brooks Cohen joins us for a funny but informative episode.
Robert Brooks Cohen is a writer, creator, and life coach living in Los Angeles. He spent seven seasons writing and producing for Law & Order: SVU, among other shows. In 2019, he created Two Bi Guys, a podcast about sexual fluidity, masculinity, and the gender spectrum, and his fir...2024-10-0245 minBisexual KilljoyS2E2: Bisexuality & Gender Fluidity, pt. 2 with Rosie NelsonBisexual Killjoy is back to talk about the intersection of gender and sexuality, this time with an expert opinion. This week we welcome the iconic Dr. Rosie Nelson into the fray to help us wrestle with what gender means for bi+ people, what it means to be Sexual Renegades and Sexual Outsiders, and the bi+ worldview.
Dr. Rosie Nelson is a Senior Lecturer in Gender at the University of Bristol, England. Their work revolves around queer theory, bisexual identities, LGBTQ+ politics, and qualitative research methodologies. They recently published Making Space for Bi+ Identities: Explorations of Genders, Identities...2024-09-1846 minBisexual KilljoyS2E1: The Bisexual Killjoys ReturnWelcome back, Bisexual Killjoys. Did you miss us? We missed you! In this episode, we’re getting on the same page, sweeping out the cobwebs, spilling the tea, and pumping ourselves up for our best season yet. So, if you don’t remember what a Bisexual Killjoy is, don’t worry; Bailey makes Lynn take us all back to school.
Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.
Were you...2024-09-0432 minBisexual KilljoyS1E9: Bisexuality Is My RevolutionThat’s a wrap on Season 1! We’ve talked about so much in the last few months: gender, invisibility, relationships, health, and what it means to be a Bisexual Killjoy. Join us one last time before the summer really heats up to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going next.
Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.
Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We...2024-07-0339 minBisexual KilljoyS1E8: Love and Other Words That Start With BWe’re winding down Pride and Season 1! Bisexual Killjoy cordially invites you to discuss intimacy, sex, and relationship dynamics for all of us bi+ folks. We’re talking monogamy, polyamory, and how biphobic stereotypes hurt us all. Let’s get serious and laugh the whole time.
Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.
Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us o...2024-06-1940 minBisexual KilljoyS1E7: Beyond Binaries: Bisexuality & Gender FluidityHappy Pride! Join Bisexual Killjoy as we explore the fluidity of sexuality and gender. Dive into discussions on liminal spaces, gender fluidity, and the misconceptions about bisexuality. We’re challenging the myth of bisexuals and trans-exclusion, looking at the unique intersection of bisexuality and gender fluidity, and unpacking the limited research on the subject we could find. Since it’s Pride, remember to celebrate your identity and give back to your community!
Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness...2024-06-0541 minBisexual KilljoyS1E6: Does This Top Make Me Look Bi?Join Bisexual Killjoy as we delve into the complexities of signaling bisexuality within the queer community and society at large. Today, we’re discussing the challenges bisexuals face in being recognized and accepted due to the pervasive binary correlation between gender and sexuality. From TikTok suppression to a need for validation in queer spaces, we’re tossing out our hottest takes around on heterosexual and queer signaling. For some reason, Bailey pops off on the historical and cultural influences on gender presentation and the perpetuation of heteronormative standards. You won’t want to miss it.
Hosted by bi+ ac...2024-05-2234 minBisexual KilljoyS1E5: The Myth of Passing PrivilegeJoin Bisexual Killjoy as we dissect the myth of "passing privilege” and challenge the notion that bi+ folks do not face discrimination or oppression. Learn how passing privilege ignores the complexities of bi+ identity and erases the unique challenges bi+ people encounter, and listen to how heated our BKJ hosts get as they critique the heteronormativity and homonormativity present in LGBTQ+ spaces.
Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenom...2024-05-0831 minBisexual KilljoyS1E4: Bisexuality Needs Better PRIt’s 2024, and bi+ folks need more than visibility; they need recognition. Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy. This week, Lynn and Bailey are delving deep into the complexities of the bisexual agenda. We’re highlighting monosexual discomfort, sexual ambiguity, and all those sexy liminal spaces.
Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.
Were you a Bisexual Killjoy this week? We want to hear from you! Follow us on @bis...2024-04-2434 minBisexual KilljoyS1E3: Do I Exist? Bi-Erasure & DiscriminationBisexual Killjoy is back, and it’s time to talk about every bi+ person’s favorite topic: bi-erasure. Join us as we discuss how bisexuality often goes unnoticed or disregarded, both in mainstream society, social settings, relationships, politics, and within LGBTQ+ spaces themselves (the call was coming from inside the house), and WTF we can do about it.
Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Lynn Rios Rivera, Bisexual Killjoy talks all things bisexual (pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness) because bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.
Got a good/bad...2024-04-1030 minBisexual KilljoyS1E2: Am I A Healthy Bisexual?Just in time for Bi+ Health Awareness month, Bailey and Lynn do a deep dive into the bafflingly mysterious world of bi+ health. Despite representing the majority of the LGBTQ+ community, little is known about bi+ folks and their health. We do know that bi+ women are more likely to experience mood disorders than their hetero- and homosexual counterparts. We do know that bi+ women are at a higher risk from violence from an intimate partner than their hetero- and homosexual counterparts. We don’t know much else, though, and that needs to change. In this episode, learn more ab...2024-03-2556 minBisexual KilljoyS1E1: What Is A Bisexual Killjoy?Welcome to Bisexual Killjoy, where Bailey and Lynn talk all things bisexual (plus, pansexual, omnisexual, plurisexual, and overall bi+ness). Despite representing the majority of the LGBTQ+ community, bi+ folks have gotten the shorthand of the stick for too long. Now’s the time to have our voices heard. What is a Bisexual Killjoy? It’s the answer to the age-old question: Is bisexuality just a phase? To which we say: Bisexuality isn’t a phase; it’s a phenomenon.
2024-03-2523 min