I had a thought today about bisexual representation. We know it’s a problem (asexuals have it worse).
Representation means the character has to be explicitly bisexual.
Here’s the problem.
Young writers are taught that a cardinal rule is “show not tell.” We’re told we as the writer should not say “this character is bisexual.” We’re even told it’s ‘bad’ to have the character say “I’m bisexual.”
The problem then, especially for monosexual writers, comes in how to show the character is bisexual.
There’s the easy route of having them date both sexes over the course of the show or book. In Gotham, Barbara’s bisexuality is revealed when we find out Renee Montoya is her ex. That’s one way to do it. Unfortunately, when a lot of writers do it this way, they drift towards the bislutty stereotype. And that’s reasonable for some characters (Jack Harkness comes to mind - he’s a very cool character who is as bislutty as they come). It doesn’t lend itself to representing the entire spectrum of bisexual characters.
If you’re writing in first person, it’s easier. The MC of Making Fate, Jane, is bisexual, but the word has yet to be used in the series. Instead, she narrates about her attraction to both sexes, her rejection because of it by the asshole chairman of the gay and lesbian club (He insists she has to pick a side), her difficulties coming to terms with it. But those kinds of inner narratives only work if the bisexual character is the protagonist and you are writing prose in first person or close third. It doesn’t help scriptwriters, it doesn’t help for more distant points of view. It doesn’t help if the bisexual character is not the main character.
Of course, there are other ways to do it. Have a guy casually mention having slept with a character who’s currently dating a girl. Show a character’s hesitation about dating a bisexual person (a lot of people get nervous about the extra competition). Have somebody wear a piece of clothing with the bisexual flag, a T-shirt with a suitable slogan - if it’s something that char would do.
But I think as writers we need to be a little bit less afraid of actually using the word. I count myself in this.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with telling something if it needs to be told. And there is nothing wrong with having your bisexual character be out and proud…if they would be. It does depend on the character.
But if we’re going to have more explicit bisexual representation, we need to be less afraid to tell it. By being less afraid to tell it, we don’t drift into problematic ways of showing it such as pulling out the bislutty stereotype (unless it fits! People like that do exist, after all), or thinking we’re showing it clearly when our readers are actually glossing right over it.
So, tell your reader your bisexual characters are bi. AND show it. Show the confusion many of us experienced as teenagers. Show your bisexual characters appreciating eye candy. Write bisexual characters who are so out they’ll walk down the street with a T-shirt declaring their “status” and ones so in the closet they hope everyone thinks they’re straight (or even gay). But, above all, don’t let the “rules” of writing get between you and explicit representation.
Young writers are taught “show not tell.” The problem comes in how to show the character is bisexual.: