We’re thrilled to have Vance Bastian contributing a post for our discussion today:
Bisexual characters bring a very dynamic element to a story. Writers who challenge themselves to go beyond the stereotype of wanton promiscuity, abuse, or mental disorders find their stories wrapping around this individual who is a living catalyst.
At their hearts, a bisexual character can be attracted to either gender. That does not mean the character wants to have sex with anything that moves. In fact, how open-hearted and rich is a bisexual character who wants a family, but sees the beauty in everyone? How complex is the character who has chosen a period of celibacy because it’s the only logical/harmonious/balanced choice in a cosmos of genders?
Some formative literary works include:
- Mrs. Dalloway (Virginia Woolfe)
- Women in Love (D.H. Lawrence)
- Claudine (Colette)
- The Twyborn Affair (Patrick White)
- Less Than Zero (Bret Easton Ellis )
- The Rules of Attraction (Bret Easton Ellis)
- Some on-screen representations include:
- Rocky Horror Picture Show (cast)
- Chasing Amy (Alyssa Jones)
- Brokeback Mountain (Jack Twist)
- Xena: Warrior Princess (Athena)
- Star Trek DS9: Jadzia Dax
- Torchwood (Captain Jack Harkness)
- Penny Dreadful (Ethan Chandler, Dorien Grey)
- Orange is the New Black (Piper Chapman)
Today’s questions to start the discussion:
- Can you think of bisexual characters that aren’t stereotypes?
- Have you read any of these early works?
- Which of these help or harm how bisexual characters are viewed?
- Choose one you haven’t read/watched and do a quick Google search. What appeals to you about the story?
- Which of these books or movies do you find most interesting?
Please keep the discussion focused on bisexual characters only.
About Vance:
I’m a guy who likes guys.
I write fiction. I’m also a founding host of the 3 M/Musketeers podcast.
I love dogs. I’m allergic to cats, but find them endlessly fascinating. I love my gym time. As in, I actually love challenging myself to get stronger. Conversely, my inner introvert is terrified of locker rooms. FML. If I could be any supernatural archetype I’d be a… werewolf shaman, a wizard, or a mischievous sidhe. Can’t pick just one. Sorry.
I love D&D, Superhero RPGs, and video games based on those two genres. I also like guys. If you ever find a gay superheroes in D&D video game – hook me the mother-truckin’ hell up.
I swear in my fiction. I may eventually drop an f-bomb on this site. Until then, I’ll try to keep it a little clean. I’ll probably fail to keep it clean.