Today we’d like to introduce you to Miles Joyner.
Hi Miles, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I first knew I was bisexual in high school. I was hungry for community – support, connection, role models, anything. To satiate that hunger, I joined every LGBTQ+ group I could find, but it was never enough. Biphobia outside of the LGBTQ+ community I was expecting, but finding out it happened within the community too? At a young age, desperate for someone like me, I followed the classic movie line, “If you build it, they will come.” There was no way I was the only person out there like me, no possibility that I was the only one going through what I was experiencing. I made the “Miles The Bisexual” Facebook page during my first year of college (2018/2019), and it started growing surprisingly quickly. After roughly a year of sharing memes and educating myself on queer theory, LGBTQ+ history, and similar discourse and rhetoric, I began writing articles. It wasn’t until I had published work to my name that I began to gain true credibility in online LGBTQ+ spaces and slowly began building my name in my community. From articles to internships with GLAAD and The Obama Foundation to presenting at conferences locally and nationally, I’ve made somewhat of a home for myself as a Bi+ Community educator and activist.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The most apparent struggles have been biphobia, homophobia, and bigotry in general. Working alongside and as a part of marginalized communities, you expect to run into pushback. The work can be challenging and often exhausting. Finding funding not only to keep your projects going is tough.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Bi+ Community Educator. I specialize in educating others on the bisexual community and bisexual history, elaborating on the specific struggles, needs, and statistics relating to the community, and presenting best-practice strategies to provide support for those within the community. I’m primarily known for providing generalized “101” style information (history, general statistics, definitions, etc.) and presentations developed explicitly for university students, social workers, educators, therapists, and professionals that work with marginalized demographics. My favorite kinds of presentations and workshops help educate bisexual individuals on their history and brainstorm ways to work towards a better future together. I’m proud to do what I do and to have the accomplishments I’ve been gifted. When I can provide these services and make bisexual people feel comfortable in their skin or represented in the classroom, I know I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have a hard time picking a favorite memory. That said, one that I remember frequently is riding home from karate class with my father in elementary school. I would be hot and sweaty in my gi, hungry and ready for home when my dad picked me up. Once we got into our neighborhood, my dad would let me roll the windows down and stick my arms and head out of the window so that the wind would gently hit my face and cool me down. He always had one hand on me and always drove slowly. I don’t remember when I finally got too big to fit out of the window or when he stopped holding on to me when I did it, but those small moments stuck around with me.
Pricing:
- Consultations – Free
- Bi+ Best Practices P/HR – $100
- Bi+ 101 P/HR – $85
- Other/Small Group Sessions – $negotiable
Contact Info:
- Website: Booking Information
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milesenbi/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmilesjoyner/
Image Credits
Image taken by Denarii Grace on behalf of Miles Joyner
