Fostering Community  

Colleen Harrington Creates Bisexual Educational Discussion Group at APW
By Sasha Hnatkovich

WHAT:  Bisexual Educational Discussion Group
WHEN: 1st and 3rd Monday of every month 7:00-9:00 p.m.
WHERE:  AIDS Project Worcester, 85 Green Street, Worcester

Worcester’s queer, silent minority has found its voice in Colleen Harrington, 28. Quickly making a name for herself in established GLBT circles, this young activist is working to create a supportive community for Central MA bisexuals.

“Too often, bisexuals are stereotyped as sluts or flakey,” says Harrington. “It’s belittling, shaming. How do you stand up for yourself?”

The Texas native long lived “in the closet” as a heterosexual. She knew that she was bisexual, but was afraid to express it to others. This fear became actualized when she first came out to her aunt, a lesbian activist, who told her, “You know I don’t believe in that.” As Harrington came out to more people, she was told that she was either being sexually indiscriminate or was simply confused.

“Why do they have the right to tell me what my orientation is?” she asks rhetorically. “I am bisexual, and no one else can tell me otherwise.”

Harrington used to get angry and defensive when people were critical of her sexual orientation.

“I was insecure and without answers,” she says. “Now I know I am bi and without shame, but I couldn’t have gotten here without support and positive reinforcement…Bisexuality is about love and respect, about being comfortable with yourself. It took me a long time to find out what bisexuality was to me.”

Harrington moved to Worcester in 2003 to start her doctorate at UMASS Medical. While searching for a bi community in the area, she found the support she needed in Boston. It was there that her activism began when she attended last year’s Transcending Boundaries Conference.

As Harrington spoke to other queer minorities about what it feels like to be ostracized from the greater queer community, she was asked what she does in her area to change the situation. Not satisfied with her answer of “nothing,” she volunteered to become an organizer for the next Transcending Boundaries Conference, of which she is now Chair.

“I have found my calling,” she says of her activism. “I am living up to my full potential. I have found my voice, and it is coming out loud and clear!”

Harrington wants to bring the sense of community she found in Boston to Worcester, so she is starting a bi-monthly Bisexual Educational Discussion Group at AIDS Project Worcester. The group will talk about bi-sexual issues, resources, and health.

“My first priority is to start a community for people like myself,” Harrington says. “My second priority is to educate others and get wider acceptance.”

For more information about the Bisexual Educational group, contact Christina at glbt@aidsprojectworcester.org or (508) 755-3773.