By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman
FERNDALE – In an effort to reach out to more of its constituents, Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center will host a focus group for bisexual women from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 15.
The meeting is descibed as "a discussion about issues that affect women who identify as bi- sexual/attractional."
"We took a look at the services we were offering, and who we were offering them for, and realized we weren't offering anything specifically to bisexual women," said Deanna Tocco, Affirmation's program director. "We have had calls from women who were looking for a group that they could come to."
Tocco said that based on a 2005 survey, "About 8 percent of [the people] we serve identify as bisexual – that's the folks who were willing to answer, so my guess is that that number is higher." Tocco said that the center hopes that an ongoing program will develop from the focus group. Affirmations already holds a monthly group for bi-identified men. According to Tocco, the bi men's group is a closed group, and prospective new members are asked to get in touch with the facilitator before attending their first meeting.
"The bisexual population is one of the groups that we're trying to do more outreach to," Tocco added.
The Bi-Identified Women's Focus Group will be facilitated by intern Jennifer Simoneau and Kimya Ayodele, Affirmations' older adult and community outreach coordinator. For more information contact Jennifer Simoneau at [email protected] or Kimya Ayodele at 248-398-7105. For more information about the bisexual men's group, which is open to married and unmarried bisexual men, call Deanna Tocco at 248-398-7105. Affirmations is located at 195 West 9 Mile Road in Ferndale.
