IT’S not always easy coming to terms with bisexuality. Especially if you’re younger and still emotionally immature, finding your way in life, people can try to pull you in all sorts of directions.
If you are even the slightest bit bi curious, perhaps you’ve had to bite your tongue when others make all sorts of ridiculous assumptions.
The good news is that TV tends to hold a mirror to the more progressive elements of culture, so bisexuality is a subject that will be seen in a positive light via this medium, giving inspiration to so many people. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of the struggles faced by bi individuals these days, along with ways they can be overcome. The potency of bisexuality will then be underlined by a celebration of some of the key TV shows where bi characters have become empowering to viewers.
Real-Life Basis for Depiction of Bi People
More than perhaps any other LGBT demographic, bisexuals are often misunderstood. If you’d like to not only celebrate your true aspirations but also find kindred spirits, checking out a bisexual women dating site would be your best bet. These platforms offer a variety of ways of getting in touch with prospective partners, as well as chat rooms where all sorts of bi-friendly topics can be openly discussed. In real life, coming to terms with your gender-fluid tastes can be confusing.
These bi-oriented dating websites will offer blogs and forums where you can tap into support and guidance from people with a lot of experience. A key point to keep in mind is that you are never alone. There’s a whole world of bi people out there, and they’re all eager to interact with like-minded individuals. To inspire you as you embark on your quest to connect with other bisexuals, why don’t we get around to checking out shows featuring bi characters? These can be empowering for viewers with similar tendencies.
Important Shows with Bisexual Characters
Willow Rosenberg from Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is the latest in a succession of vampire slayers (also known as chosen ones) whose job is to protect mortals from an assortment of vampires and other demons. Her friend Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) is the opposite of Buffy’s outgoing personality. Quiet and studious, she seems never happier than when her nose is buried in a book. As the storyline evolves, Willow’s character becomes more assertive, eventually gaining the courage to reveal she is attracted to females as well as males.
Samantha Jones from Sex and The City
A big hit in the late 90s and early 2000s, Sex and the City explored the romantic relationships of female New Yorkers Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). Samantha, slightly older than her three friends, is a 40-something known for her sexual confidence. This aspect of her character has been praised for normalizing attitudes about sex, not least with her attraction to members of the same sex. The series might be a blend of comedy and drama, but Samantha’s bold outlook on sexuality has been applauded, not to mention Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated.
Tara Thornton from True Blood
This horror fantasy focuses on a town in Louisiana, in America’s Deep South, where a synthetic blood product (Tru Blood) has allowed vampires to emerge from the darkness. Now able to live amongst humankind, vampires are now striving for social equality while facing hostility from anti-vampires. Tara (Rutina Wesley) is a 20-something who has had a troubled upbringing. Her boss, Sam, is keen to enter a relationship with her, but she reveals she is also attracted to women in this mysterious world.
Shawna Hawkins from Tales of the City
Tales of the City follows Mary Anne Singleton when she decides, on the spur of the moment, to move to San Francisco. As she finds her way around this city, she meets Shawna (Elliot Page), the adopted daughter of Mary Ann. Shawna is attracted to guys and girls and describes herself as queer.
Casey Gardner from Atypical
Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist) is an 18-year-old with autism. His younger sister, Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine), is highly protective and also athletic (and bi!)
There are many examples of entertainment geared towards the LGBT community, particularly the ‘B’ segment of those initials. One recommendation would be to keep your ear close to the ground for new shows – exciting titles are being released regularly. Because there are so many channels now, it can be easy to miss something like the Late Night Lycett.
This is a must-see show for bisexual couples. As well as a manic collision of wacky comic content and genuinely thought-provoking political material, Lycett himself frequently refers to his bisexuality in his comic routines.
