S4E5: Building Bi+ Power in the ‘90s with Barry Saiff

Bi+ people are everywhere, and we know networks are crucial to our survival. This week, we’re diving into the history of BiNet USA, and the ripple effects of Bi+ collectives with our guest, Barry Saiff. From reflections on what makes an organizing team run smoothly, to tips for Bi+ fundraising, we’re determined to figure out what makes or breaks Bi+ collectives over the long term.

Barry Saiff has spent more than three decades shaping bi+ history as an activist, organizer, and community leader. He began his bisexual activism in the early 1990s with the Alliance of MultiCultural Bisexuals in Washington, D.C., and went on to co-produce the 1993 National Conference Celebrating Bisexuality, held alongside the historic March on Washington. With four keynotes, 50 workshops, and over 600 participants, it was the largest bi+ conference of its time. Barry later served as president of BiNet USA, where he helped secure the funding that made it possible to hire the organization’s first executive director, a turning point in national bi+ organizing. He has continued to speak at conferences and webinars across the U.S. and internationally, carrying bi+ visibility into new spaces. Beyond activism, Barry has led a long career in technical communications as a writer, manager, and entrepreneur. He founded Saiff Solutions, a technical writing firm in the Philippines, and currently works as a manager at DocuSign. Barry is also a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser, having raised millions for causes such as The Hunger Project. He is married to his Filipino husband and remains active in progressive organizing, including the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America.

Hosted by bi+ academics, writers, and advocates Bailey Merlin and Jace 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. Get even more Bisexual Killjoy content by subscribing to our Substack, joining our Patreon, and following us on Instagram.

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Resources

• Bi All Accounts: An Anthology of Bi+ Voices, Volume 1. Edited by Bailey Merlin, Bi+ Book Gang. 2025. Order your copy today!
• Saiff, B. (2018, October 20). Outsourcing Technical Writing: A Primer. XML Press.
• Take a trip down memory lane from the BiNet USA website: https://web.archive.org/web/20070818050105/http://www.binetusa.org/faces.html

Where to Find Barry Saiff

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrysaiff/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicbarry
• Saiff Solutions: https://www.saiffsolutions.com

Sound engineer: Richie Smith