Gigi Raven Wilbur

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Gigi Raven Wilbur is an American bisexual rights activist [1] and writer. They have a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a master's degree in social work. [1]

Contents

Wilbur is recognized as a trailblazing non-binary and intersex icon, and is often cited among the most influential figures in bisexual and gender-diverse activism. [2]

Career and activism

Wilbur was a state organizer in Texas with a bisexuality radio show, and a coordinator for BiNet USA. [3] [4] In 1999, the first Celebrate Bisexuality Day was organized by them, Wendy Curry, and Michael Page. [5] [6] [7]

The date was chosen both because it is Wilbur's birthday and as a tribute to Freddie Mercury, a bisexual icon admired by the founders. [8]

Wilbur has been involved with the Radical Faeries, the transgender and intersex communities, the spirit-sexualist and pagan movements, and the BDSM scene. [9] They are the founder and Sacred Harlot of the Temple of Aphrodite at Dragons Wylde Ranch, a sex-positive spiritual retreat near Bastrop, Texas, operated by the Earth Spirit Alliance. [9]

Wilbur has contributed to academic and activist literature, notably with the essay "Walking in the Shadows: Third Gender and Spirituality" in the anthology Trans/forming Feminisms: Trans/feminist Voices Speak Out (2006), where they explore the spiritual and social dimensions of being intersex. [9]

Wilbur also hosted the long-running radio show "After Hours" in Houston, and later launched the podcast "Adult Bedtime Stories," which reached over 100,000 downloads worldwide. [10]

Personal life

As of 2008, Wilbur lives in Houston, Texas, and is the coordinator of the adult campground and the sex-positive Temple of Aphrodite at Dragons Wylde Ranch. [11]

Wilbur is intersex, and have said they identify as third gender, neither male nor female. [12] Wilbur stated in a 2008 interview, "my birth gender was altered shortly after I was born ... I am hermaphrodite. That is my true gender." [11] They accept any pronouns, but prefer they/them. [13]

Wilbur has spoken openly about growing up with learning disabilities (dyslexia, ADHD) and overcoming social and academic barriers to earn their degrees. [10] They have described their journey as one of embracing all aspects of their identity: dyslexic, ADHD, intersex, and bisexual. [10]

Philosophy and spirituality

Wilbur’s activism is deeply rooted in spiritual practice. As a pagan and sex-positive priestess, they advocate for reclaiming sexuality as sacred and healing. They argue against the binary gender system and promote the recognition of a gender spectrum, drawing from ancient traditions where third-gender individuals held respected roles as shamans, healers, and spiritual guides. [9]

Wilbur has written about the emotional, moral, and spiritual implications of being intersex, and has criticized non-consensual medical interventions on intersex infants. [9]

Legacy and impact

Wilbur is widely recognized as a pioneer for bisexual and intersex visibility, and is frequently cited as a non-binary icon. [2] Their work has contributed to the broader acceptance of gender diversity and the fight against bi-erasure and biphobia. [14]

Awards

In 1999, Wilbur was awarded the American Institute of Bisexuality Globe Award for outstanding service to the bisexual world community. [1]

Selected works

They are the author of The Dominant's Handbook: An Intimate Guide to BDSM Play, and published the essay "Walking in the Shadows: Third Gender and Spirituality" (about being intersex) in Trans/Forming Feminism, Trans-feminist Voices Speak Out, edited by Krista Scott-Dixon. [11] As of 2008, they publish a column in the pagan publication Rogue Moon. [11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "'Celebrate Bisexuality Day' Exists Because Of These Three LGBT Activists". Huffingtonpost.com. September 24, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "10 Trailblazing Non-Binary Icons That Entertain, Inspire And Delight!". November 18, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ "BiNet USA". BiNet USA. June 23, 1990. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  4. ↑ Oboza, Michael C. (2013). "Our Fence newsletter 2013" (PDF). BiNet USA. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  5. ↑ Staff Reports (September 23, 2008). "Bisexuality Day Celebrated".
  6. ↑ Campus, The Daily (September 23, 2015). "Celebrating the 'B' in LGBT: A history of Bisexual Awareness Week". The Daily Campus.
  7. ↑ "Celebrate Bi Visibility Day and the Queer Continuum". QSaltLake Magazine. September 23, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Freddie Mercury y Gigi: Los íconos detrás de la elección del 23 de septiembre para visibilizar la bisexualidad". La Vanguardia. September 23, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Beyond Two Genders". OutSmart Magazine. January 1, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Ladyboy Gigi". The Outwords Archive. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Tim Brookover (January 1, 2008). "Beyond Two Genders". OutSmart Magazine. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ↑ Scott-Dixon, Krista (2006). Trans/forming Feminisms: Trans/feminist Voices Speak Out. Canadian Scholars' Press. pp. 65–71. ISBN   9781894549615.
  13. ↑ "Genderful E50: Sacred Harlotry with Ladyboy Gigi (they/them) 05.02.2022". YouTube . May 6, 2022.
  14. ↑ Hoyos, Kim (September 23, 2023). "Celebrating Bi Visibility Day: Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Diversity". Los Angeles LGBT Center. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
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