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{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                = BiNet USA
| full_name           = Bi/Net USA, The Bisexual Network of the USA Inc.
| tax_id              = 36-4005814<ref name= irseos>"[https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/details/]," ''Tax Exempt Organization Search''. [[Internal Revenue Service]]. Retrieved April 29, 2020.</ref>
| status              = [[501(c)(3)]] [[nonprofit organization]]<ref name= irseos/>
| logo                = BiNet USA Logo.png
| caption             = BiNet USA logo
| formation           = {{start date and age|1990}}
| leader_title        = [[President (corporation)|President]]
| leader_name         = Faith Cheltenham<ref name= board>"[http://www.binetusa.org/our-board/ Our Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429213828/http://www.binetusa.org/our-board/ |date=2020-04-29 }}". ''BiNet''. Retrieved April 29, 2020.</ref>
| headquarters        = [[Arlington, Virginia]], U.S.
| revenue             = 174,000<ref name= irseos/>
| revenue_year        = 2020
| formerly            = North American Bisexual Network
}}
{{Bisexuality topics sidebar}}
'''BiNet USA''' (officially '''Bi/Net USA, The Bisexual Network of the USA Inc.'''<ref name= corp/>) was an American national nonprofit [[bisexual community]] whose mission was to "facilitate the development of a cohesive network of bisexual communities, promote bisexual visibility, and collect and distribute educational information regarding [[bisexuality]]. Until 2020, BiNet USA provided a national network for bisexual organizations and individuals across the United States, and encouraged participation and organizing on local and national levels."<ref name="binetusa.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.binetusa.org/Pages/aboutus.html |title=All About BiNet USA including the Fine Print |publisher=BiNet USA |access-date=2013-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120222255/http://www.binetusa.org/Pages/aboutus.html |archive-date=2019-01-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They claimed to be the oldest national bisexuality organization in the United States.<ref name="binetusa.org"/><ref name="glbtq">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Summers |first=Claude J. |title=BiNet USA |encyclopedia=glbtq: An Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture |publisher=glbtq, Inc. |date=2009-10-20 |url=http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/binet_usa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220100127/http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/binet_usa.html |archive-date=2014-02-20 }}</ref> In 2020, all of the content on BiNet USA's website was replaced with a statement that the BiNet USA president, Faith Cheltenham, now identified as Christian conservative and was walking away from progressive politics entirely.<ref name=":0" />

==Programs and campaigns==
Some of the work the organization has been involved in includes the following.

===Campaigns===

* 1993: Played a key role in the successful national campaign to include "Bi" in the March on Washington for Gay, Lesbian and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.
* 1998: Organizes an Ally Campaign, educating and holding ally organizations accountable for their actions.
* After the 1991 bisexual [[anthology]] ''[[Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out]]'' was forced to compete in the [[Lambda Literary Award]]s under the category "Lesbian Anthology",  and ''Directed by Desire: Collected Poems'', a posthumous collection of the bisexual poet [[June Jordan]]'s work, had to compete (and won) in the category "Lesbian Poetry", BiNet USA led the [[bisexual community]] in a multi year campaign eventually resulting in the addition of a Bisexual category, starting with the 2006 Awards.
* 2008: Under the slogan "Vote Against Hate in 2008", partnered with [[Rock the Vote]] to successfully reach out to and register people from its constituent communities and encourage participation in the American electoral process.

===Policy initiatives===
* Bisexual Youth Initiative (1995): a survey was developed and sent out to organizations nationwide serving LGBTQ youth. The survey report was published and sent to agencies, offering assistance in improving services.
* Bisexual Rural Initiative (1996): Initiative to reach out and determine specific needs of bisexuals in rural areas.
* Bisexual Health Initiative (2007): participated in the development of the report ''Bisexual health: An introduction and model practices for HIV/STI prevention programming''<ref name= bihealth507>{{cite web |first1= Marshall |last1= Miller |first2= Amy |last2=André |first3= Julie |last3= Ebin |first4= Leona |last4= Bessonova |title = Bisexual Health: An Introduction and Model Proactices for HIV/STI Prevention Programming |work=[[National Gay and Lesbian Task Force| National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute]], [[Fenway Health|The Fenway Institute at Fenway Community Health]], BiNet USA |url= http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/reports/bi_health_5_07.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043314/http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/reports/bi_health_5_07.pdf |date= 2007 |archive-date= September 27, 2007 }}</ref> in conjunction with the [[National Gay and Lesbian Task Force]] and [[Fenway Health|Fenway Community Health]], including the ''Bisexual Health Timeline''.<ref name= bihealthhtml>{{cite web |url=http://www.binetusa.org/bihealth.html |title=Timeline: The Bisexual Health Movement in the US |work=BiNet USA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022104318/http://www.binetusa.org/bihealth.html |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=June 10, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Conferences (partial list)===
* with the [[Bisexual Resource Center]] and the Washington, DC–based [[Alliance of Multicultural Bisexuals]] co-sponsor the largest US bisexual conference to date with over 600 people in attendance. (1993)
* Hosts the First National Institute on Bisexuality and HIV/AIDS (1998)
* Co-sponsor of the [[Transcending Boundaries Conference]] (2005) (2006)
* With the [[Lambda Literary Foundation]] and [[New York City|New York City's]] [[Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Services Center]] co-sponsor of the ''"Big Bi Book Weekend"'' including ''"Bi Lines: A Celebration of Bisexual Writing in Reading, Music and Culture"'' a fund-raising event to benefit the [[Bi Writers Association]] (2007)
* With the [[Bisexual Foundation]] et al. co-sponsor of the [[International Conference on Bisexuality]] (1994) (1998) (2004) (2006) when held in the United States. A member of the standing committee that is currently planning the 10th ICB to be held on the campus of the [[University of Rhode Island]] in July 2008.

==History and structure==
{{Tone|date=October 2023|section}}
Tracing its roots back to the 1987 [[Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights]], the group further coalesced in 1990 when [[BiPol]] convened the first National Bisexual Conference in [[San Francisco]]. At that time a conference track was dedicated to creating a national organization. This first conference was attended by over 450 people from 20 states and 5 countries, and the mayor of San Francisco sent a proclamation "commending the bisexual rights community for its leadership in the cause of social justice", and declaring June 23, 1990, [[Celebrate Bisexuality Day|Bisexual Pride Day]].<ref name="binetusa">{{cite web |url=http://www.binetusa.org/bihealth.html |title=BiNet USA |publisher=BiNet USA |access-date=2019-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207185405/http://www.binetusa.org/bihealth.html |archive-date=2019-02-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The following summer, the North American Bisexual Network was formalized in [[Seattle]]. Later its name would change to BiNet USA which coincided with the group becoming a [[nonprofit organization]].

In its first decade, BiNet USA worked on a variety of campaigns, national policy initiatives and hosted/co-hosted a number conferences. Moving into its second decade, BiNet USA, like many other U.S. [[Foundation (charity)|charitable organizations]], was hit hard when funding dried up in the wake of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11 attacks]] on the US mainland in September 2001.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} It was forced to lay off its paid staff and roll back its plans for new office space.

Faced with these new economic and logistical realities, BiNet USA begins to focus more of its efforts on [[Internet activism]] using the Internet as an organizing tool for community growth. It uses an [[Toll-free telephone number|"800" phone number]], website, [[MySpace|MySpace page]], [[Facebook|Facebook Group]], and [[Electronic mailing list|ListServ]], established using [[Yahoo Groups]], to facilitate communication between various and disparate bisexual, pansexual and fluid communities and activists nationwide.

In 2005, after a period of progress marked by growing acceptance in both the larger LGBT and straight communities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyabn.org/Pages/WhoWeR/OurHistory.html |title=New York Area Bisexual Network: A Brief History of NYC's Bisexual Community |publisher=Nyabn.org |date=2001-07-12 |access-date=2013-08-16}}</ref> the bisexual community suddenly came under a new attack <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bialogue.org/Pages/Actions/DoUXist05/LikeUnicorns.htm |title=Bialogue Taking Action: Countering attempts to invalidate bisexuality |publisher=Bialogue.org |date=2005-10-09 |access-date=2013-08-16}}</ref> promulgated by the publication of a study entitled "Sexual Arousal Patterns of Bisexual Men" by the controversial researcher [[J. Michael Bailey]]. This study allegedly "proved" that bisexual men did not exist. With little critical examination, various media celebrities and outlets jumped on the bandwagon<ref>[http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2573] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060419004109/http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2573|date=April 19, 2006}}</ref> and claimed to have "solved" the "problem of bisexuality" by declaring it to be non-existent, at least in men.

Working with other established LGBT institutions such as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force [[GLAAD]], the [[Bisexual Resource Center]] as well as newer ones such as [[Bialogue]], BiNet USA moved to co-ordinate a national response to this threat to the well-being of the bisexual community. It has now revitalized and updated its 'Rapid-Response Spokesperson Team' and now monitors and responds quickly to media portrayals of the bisexual community.

Starting in 2008 under the leadership of its then president [[Wendy Curry]], who is herself a [[software engineer]], BiNet USA greatly expanded its use of Internet activism taking advantage of the flowering of a variety of [[social networking]] venues including [[LiveJournal]], MySpace and Facebook.

In September 2009, BiNet USA expanded its board of directors, making [[Gary B. North]] the new president.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://binetusa.blogspot.com/2009/09/binet-usa-expands-board-of-directors.html |title=BiNet USA's Blog: BiNet USA Expands Board of Directors |publisher=Binetusa.blogspot.com |date=2009-09-15 |access-date=2013-08-16 |archive-date=2014-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217172815/http://binetusa.blogspot.com/2009/09/binet-usa-expands-board-of-directors.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In October 2009, BiNet USA endorsed the [[National Equality March]] and helped organize a contingent of several bisexual groups that participated in the march.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://binetusa.blogspot.com/2009/09/national-equality-march.html |title=BiNet USA's Blog: [BiNet USA]: National Equality March Washington DC October 10-11 2009 |publisher=Binetusa.blogspot.com |date=2009-09-15 |access-date=2013-08-16 |archive-date=2011-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006131857/http://binetusa.blogspot.com/2009/09/national-equality-march.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2014, BiNet USA declared the seven days surrounding [[Celebrate Bisexuality Day]] to be Bi Awareness Week, also called [[Bisexual Awareness Week]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pqmonthly.com/bi-brigade-presents-bisexual-awareness-week/23584 |title=Bi Brigade presents: Bisexual Awareness Week! - Proud Queer (PQ Monthly - Daily Online) |publisher=PQ Monthly |access-date=September 17, 2015 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925063247/http://www.pqmonthly.com/bi-brigade-presents-bisexual-awareness-week/23584 |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://lgbtweekly.com/2015/09/16/second-annual-bisexual-awareness-week-to-be-held-sept-20-26-events-across-u-s-and-online/ |title=Second annual Bisexual Awareness Week to held Sept. 20 – 26; events across U.S. and online |publisher=LGBT Weekly |date=February 14, 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921055642/http://lgbtweekly.com/2015/09/16/second-annual-bisexual-awareness-week-to-be-held-sept-20-26-events-across-u-s-and-online/ |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The week begins the Sunday before Celebrate Bisexuality Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://angryafricangirlsunited.tumblr.com/post/118098977193/lgbtqia-holidays-for-the-remained-of-the-year |title=Angry African Girls United - LGBTQIA+ Holidays for the remained of the year |publisher=Angryafricangirlsunited.tumblr.com |date= March 17, 2014 |access-date=September 17, 2015 }}</ref>

===Structure===
BiNet USA was incorporated as a [[nonprofit organization]] in [[Florida]] on February 14, 1994.<ref name= corp>"[http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=Initial&searchNameOrder=BINETUSABISEXUALNETWORKUSA%20N940000007560&aggregateId=domnp-n94000000756-c3028e24-a139-4573-ae1c-9f5cb5a5fcae&searchTerm=BiNet%20USA&listNameOrder=BINETUSABISEXUALNETWORKUSA%20N940000007560 BiNet/USA, The BiSexual Network of the USA Inc.]" ''Florida Division of Corporations''. Retrieved April 29, 2020.</ref> It has [[501(c)(3)]] status.<ref name= irseos/> Its headquarters are in [[Arlington, Virginia]]. Decision-making is by consensus by the board of directors with the advice and consent of the members of the Standing Committees and the various Regional Representatives.

===Leadership===

BiNet USA was overseen by a [[board of directors]]. The members of the board of directors at the time of BiNet USA's re-branding from a progressive bisexual advocacy organization to a conservative nonprofit were as follows.<ref name= board/>
* Faith Cheltenham, [[President (corporation)|President]]
* Juba Kalamka, [[Vice President]]
* Denise Penn, [[Secretary (corporation)|Secretary]]
* Lynnette McFadzen, [[Treasurer]], [[Emeritus]]

=== Claims of copyright of bisexual pride flag ===
[[File:Bisexual Pride Flag.svg|thumb|Bisexual pride flag, which is in the public domain]]
On April 28, 2020, BiNet USA president Faith Cheltenham claimed via the organization's [[Twitter]] account that they own sole copyright to the [[bisexual pride flag]],<ref>{{cite tweet |author= BiNet USA |user=BiNetUSA|number=1255317614139670529|date=April 28, 2020|title=The copyright of the flag is solely BiNet USA’s; it does not belong to any one founder and no founder can approve its use without the President and/or board approval. And yet @Target where can we send a letter? Cause you sell #biprideflags too? Where is our cut?}}</ref> stating that they would be restricting the flag's use without direct authorization.<ref>{{cite tweet |first= Lauren |last= Beach |user=laurenbbeach|number=1255651973438767105|date=April 29, 2020|title=I want to clarify these are the views of #BiNet President @thefayth, who also was the person tweeting this content earlier today from the now-defunct BiNet twitter. I do not share the view that #BiNet owns or should seek to license the #bisexual pride flag.}}</ref> The tweets subsequently received many critical responses, including questioning the validity of a copyright claim, as previous documentation had established the flag as being within the [[public domain]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.out.com/bisexuality/2020/4/29/organization-wants-be-paid-use-bi-pride-flag|title=This Organization Wants to Be Paid for Use of the Bi Pride Flag|date=April 29, 2020 |website=www.out.com|language=en|access-date=April 29, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/04/group-threatening-legal-action-demanding-payment-use-bisexual-pride-flag/|title=A group is threatening legal action & demanding payment for use of the bisexual pride flag|last=Bollinger|first=Alex|date=April 29, 2020 |website=LGBTQ Nation|language=en-US|access-date= April 29, 2020 }}</ref> The flag had been designed in 1998 by Michael Page in the course of volunteer work for BiNet USA.<ref name="michael-page">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204070907/http://www.biflag.com/Activism.asp |url=http://www.biflag.com/Activism.asp |title=History of the Bi Pride Flag |last=Page |first=Michael |website=BiFlag.com |archive-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> Their original Twitter account was deactivated on April 29, 2020, and a new account was made and pointed to by Cheltenham.<ref>{{cite web |last= Mason |first= Jessica |date= April 29, 2020 |url= https://www.themarysue.com/no-you-cant-copyright-the-bi-pride-flag/ |title= No, You Can't Copyright the Bi Pride Flag |work= The Mary Sue }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |first= Faith |last= Cheltenham  |user= thefayth |number= 1255624412730028032 |date= April 29, 2020 |title= Talking to @binetcollective member about ensuring that folks know the true story of the pride flag for bisexuals; and the need to divest from support for pro profit work. To be clear this is an executive action I made as #BiNet President and remain in conversation with our board. }}</ref>

On April 29, 2020, Dr. Lauren Beach gave a statement on her Twitter in which she stated that, as a board member, she was not consulted about BiNet USA's decision and that she does not agree with it. A day later, she confirmed that the board had an emergency meeting on April 30, 2020, and that a statement is to be released soon.<ref>{{cite tweet |first= Lauren |last= Beach |user= laurenbbeach |date= April 30, 2020 |number= 1255944454940225536 |title= The board has convened an emergency meeting today and will issue a statement after the meeting ASAP. }}</ref> On May 1, Faith Cheltenham released a statement prepared by the BiNet USA's board onto the official blog page,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://binetusa.blogspot.com/2020/05/about-bisexual-pride-flag.html |date= May 1, 2020 |title= About the bisexual pride flag...: A statement prepared by the board of BiNet USA |work= BiNet USA |access-date= May 2, 2020 |archive-date= May 2, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200502175634/https://binetusa.blogspot.com/2020/05/about-bisexual-pride-flag.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> as well as tweeting it from the, now reactivated, official Twitter account.<ref>{{cite tweet |number= 1256390119252037632 |user= BiNetUSA |date= May 1, 2020 |author= BiNet USA |title= About the bisexual pride flag... A statement prepared by the board of BiNet USA. MYTH: The Bisexual Pride flag is open for use by everyone for any purpose, including the confederate flag. }}</ref> Also on May 1, Beach stated she had resigned from the board.<ref>{{cite tweet |first= Lauren |last= Beach |user= laurenbbeach |number= 1256390868812075008 |date= May 1, 2020 |title= Update: A statement about the bisexual pride flag was posted on the #BiNet USA blog by Faith Cheltenham (link below). I am unsure if any additional statement will be forthcoming. I have resigned from the BiNet board. }}</ref> Two days later, Cheltenham posted a statement that she had asked Juba Kalamka to be president of BiNet and that he would do so as of January 21, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |first= Faith |last= Cheltenham |title= Statement by thefayth About the Bisexual Community |url= http://www.thefayth.net/2020/05/statement-by-thefayth-about-bi-community.html |date= May 3, 2020 |quote= 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. |access-date= May 4, 2020 |archive-date= May 4, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200504035319/http://www.thefayth.net/2020/05/statement-by-thefayth-about-bi-community.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> The same day, BiNet USA posted a statement that began "As of May 2020, BiNet USA CEASES AND DESISTS OF ALL USE OF THE BISEXUAL PRIDE FLAG".<ref>{{cite web |title= Statement on Use of Bisexual Pride Flag |first= Faith |last= Cheltenham |date= May 3, 2020 |work= BiNet USA |url= https://binetusa.blogspot.com/2020/05/statement-on-use-of-bisexual-pride-flag.html |quote= As of May 2020, BiNet USA CEASES AND DESISTS OF ALL USE OF THE BISEXUAL PRIDE FLAG |access-date= May 4, 2020 |archive-date= May 4, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200504035758/https://binetusa.blogspot.com/2020/05/statement-on-use-of-bisexual-pride-flag.html |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebar.com/news/latest_news/291980|title = BiNet USA president to depart after claiming ownership over bi Pride flag}}</ref>

On May 25, 2020, BiNet USA's Twitter reversed its position, stating "We strongly reject and refute any assertion that BiNet USA claimed, or ever claimed the bisexual pride flag."<ref>{{cite tweet |author=BiNet USA |user= binetusa |number= 1265146325428875264| date= May 25, 2020 |title= We said what we said, again. BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF BINET USA Last communication about this flag controversy: We strongly reject and refute any assertion that BiNet USA claimed, or ever claimed the bisexual pride flag. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/BiNetUSA/status/1265146325428875264 |title="We said what we said, again." |date=May 25, 2020 |website=Twitter |author=BiNet USA |access-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200526183329/https://twitter.com/BiNetUSA/status/1265146325428875264 |archive-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref>

In November 2020, Cheltenham announced that she would retain control of the organization and identified as a conservative. She stated that she "and all bi content" would no longer be on mainstream social media.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |website=BiNet USA |first=Faith |last=Cheltenham |date=November 12, 2020 |url=https://binetusa2020.blogspot.com/2020/11/binet-usa.html |title=Press Release |access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=BiNet USA |user=binetusa |number=1327058252362780673 |date=November 12, 2020 |title=...Official statement from Faith Cheltenham, ex.}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|LGBTQ}}
* [[Bisexual American history]]
* [[Bisexual community]]
* [[Biphobia]]
* [[Bisexual erasure]]
* [[Creating Change Conference]]
* [[Bisexual Resource Center]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070825194257/http://www.binetusa.org/ BiNet USA official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080517120959/http://curriedspam.livejournal.com/ Curried Spam (LiveJournal)] articles by former BiNet USA president Wendy Curry

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Binet Usa}}
[[Category:1991 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Bisexual culture in the United States]]
[[Category:Bisexual organizations]]
[[Category:LGBTQ political advocacy groups in the United States]]
[[Category:Charities based in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:LGBTQ history in the United States]]