S4E3: Nothing New: Bi+ Erasure in History with Mel Reeve

Welcome back to Bisexual Killjoy! This week, we’re digging into the politics of memory, archives, and erasure with Mel Reeve of the Bi History Project. Mel’s work shines a light on the stories that have been fragmented, forgotten, or deliberately erased, making sure bi+ people are recognized in the past as much as in the present.

Together, we explore why bi+ history so often slips through the cracks, how power shapes what gets remembered, and why accurate representation matters, even when historical figures didn’t use the word “bisexual.” We talk about the labor of piecing together stories from fragments, the challenges of pushing back against erasure in LGBTQ+ archives, and the power of recovering the lives of those who came before us.

Mel Reeve is an archivist and award-winning writer. She is the founder of the Bi History project, host of the Bi History podcast, and an editor at Fear of Making Art Press. Mel works in archives with a focus on improving access to digital collections and LGBTQ+ histories. The Bi History Project shines a spotlight on the rich and complex past of the bisexual+ community. Through training events, workshops, lectures, podcasts, and consulting, it brings LGBTQ+ and bi+ history to life and encourages inclusive heritage practices. The project empowers those within and outside the heritage profession to engage with bisexual+ and LGBTQ+ history.

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 History Podcast: https://bihistory.buzzsprout.com/
• Bi All Accounts: An Anthology of Bi+ Voices, Volume 1. Edited by Bailey Merlin, Bi+ Book Gang. 2025. Order your copy today!
• Madams: Bawds & Brothel-Keepers of London by Fergus Linnane
• “The Many Ways F. Scott Fitzgerald Made an Absolute Fool of Himself.” Kaz Rowe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lhUMjqyOgU
• Bi-ble: An Anthology of Essays on Bisexuality. Edited by Lauren Nickodemus.
• It Ain't Over Til the Bisexual Speaks: An Anthology of Bisexual Voices. Edited by Vaneet Mehta and Lois Shearing. Jessica Kingsley Publishing. 2024.

Where to Find Mel Reeve

• Bi History Website: https://bihistory.com
• Mel Reeve Website: https://melreeve.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bihistory/

Sound engineer: Richie Smith