September 23 marks Bi Visibility Day — a day to recognize and celebrate the bisexual community. To encourage awareness of the history of bisexuality, LGBTQ+ news site Openly shared a Twitter thread of famous people throughout history that you might be surprised to discover were bisexual.

🌈 Today we celebrate #BiVisibilityDay!

🚨 Bisexual people continue to face erasure.

❌ Bi discrimination is often based on incorrect stereotypes – like being bi is a phase or a trend.

👩 But these 9 famous faces from history tell a different story. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/uEgFoVqOif

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

So, without further ado, here are nine famous faces you probably didn't know were bisexual.

Ma Rainey

Ma Rainey (1886-1939)

🎤 Nicknamed "The Mother of Blues", Rainey was one of the earliest and most influential singers within the genre.

💘 While she sang about men, she was equally as open in her lyrics about her love for women – most famously in "Prove It on Me Blues". pic.twitter.com/YfhAO51MNj

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Giacomo Casanova

Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798)

💋 While Casanova's name has become synonymous with seducing women, the infamous lover also recorded sleeping with men on several occasions.

📕 His memoirs are now thought to be one of the most authentic sources of 18th-century European social life. pic.twitter.com/IQZ8eEDS2s

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992)

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 Dietrich became the first lead actress to kiss a woman in the 1930 film Morocco, and was known throughout her career for her androgyny.

📽️ She was part of the "sewing circle" of queer Hollywood actresses at the time – which included Greta Garbo. pic.twitter.com/sLk5lXSHmz

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875)

🧜‍♀️ The Danish author is best known as the king of fairy tales, with works including "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling".

✒️ Although he published mainly fiction, he wrote in his diary about his attraction to both men and women. pic.twitter.com/VnDerwVYzj

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

🖌️ Considered one of the most famous female painters of all time, her work has been celebrated for exploring themes such as gender, race, disability and sexuality.

🎨 Kahlo's expressive self-portraits made her distinct look into a feminist symbol. pic.twitter.com/tnqcp649w4

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness (1914-2000)

🌌 Guinness was perhaps best known for being the original Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Star Wars", but his acting won acclaim across cinema, theatre nd TV.

🎞️ While he avoided talking about his bisexuality publicly, it was well known to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/cHoYlYQebu

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker (1906-1975)

🎭 Featuring in one of the first Black Broadway shows, the American entertainer quickly rose to fame around the world.

🕵🏾‍♀️ Baker was also active in the civil rights movement and worked as a French Resistance agent during WW2. pic.twitter.com/ntI0mpbwqk

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Lord Byron

Lord Byron (1788-1824)

✒️ Byron is considered one of the greatest English poets, having penned works like "Don Juan", which is still widely read.

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 His relationships with men and women scandalised the public at the time, and his private life led to as much fame as his writing. pic.twitter.com/GHGnZljBM0

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

🇺🇸 She became the longest-serving First Lady in the U.S. during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office.

📢 Roosevelt changed the role of a First Lady with her active work for human and women's rights while in the White House. pic.twitter.com/vGdVzlwsgF

— Openly 🏳️‍🌈 (@Openly) September 23, 2022

[Image credit: Wikimedia Commons]