List of media portrayals of bisexuality

The portrayal of bisexuality in the media reflects societal attitudes towards bisexuality. List includes portrayals of bisexual identification as well as non-identified bisexual behavior.

Contents

Film

Title Release Year Bisexual Characters Notes
3 Play 2004 Johnny
2by4 1998 Johnny Maher
9 Songs 2004 Lisa
Alexander 2004 Alexander the Great Bisexuality presented as a social norm.
All Over Me 1997 Ellen
Anatomy of Hell 2004 "The Man" Sexuality is fluid and symbolic
Art School Confidential 2006 Audrey
Auto Focus 2002 John Carpenter
Basic Instinct 1992 Catherine Tramell
Bedrooms and Hallways 1998
bi·sex·u·al·i·ty 2011 Various A feature length documentary about a film-maker's personal journey while making a film about Bisexuality in the UK.
Bi the Way 2008 Various Documentary on bisexuality in the US.
Les Biches 1968
Borstal Boy 2000 Sexuality portrayed as fluid, but can be socially problematic.
Brokeback Mountain 2005 Ennis Del Mar, Jack Twist Sexuality of both characters portrayed as fluid. The film displays a love relationship between same-sex male partners in the American West; who are simultaneously struggling with their opposite gender relationships.
Butley 1974 Ben Butley Butley portrayed as an uncommitted, emotional failure.
Cabaret 1972 Brian Roberts, Maximillaim von Heune
Chasing Amy 1997 Alyssa Jones Sexuality portrayed as fluid, but can be socially problematic.
Crash (1996 film) 1996 James Ballard, Helen Remington, Vaughan
The Color Purple 1985 Celie Johnson, Shug Avery Bisexuality portrayed as a simple fact with no value judgments.
Confusion of Genders 2000 Alain Bauman
C.R.A.Z.Y. 2005 Zachary Beaulieu Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Dark Blue Almost Black 2007 Israel
Death in Venice 1971 Gustav von Aschenbach Aschenbach is portrayed as a homosexual cripple and failure.
De-Lovely 2004 Cole Porter Sexuality portrayed as fluid
The Disappearance of Alice Creed 2009 Daniel
Dodgeball 2004 Kate Veatch While some male characters try to date her, others believe that she is a lesbian. Turns out to be bisexual, and gets together with main male character.
Dog Day Afternoon 1975 Sonny Wortzik Sonny is portrayed realistically as a true bisexual.
The Dying Gaul 2005 Jeffrey Tishop
Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds 2006 Troy The prevalent attitude that one has to choose between gay and straight is portrayed as the cause of confusion for bisexuals. Self-acceptance itself is praised, and denial of queerness is mocked.
Face to Face 1976 Bisexuality is portrayed as a symbol.
Femme Fatale 2002 Laurie Ash
The Fox 1967 Ellen March
French Twist 1995 Loli Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Frida 2002 Frida Kahlo Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Gia 1998 Gia Marie Carangi
The Girl 2000 The Girl
Glue 2006 Lucas, Nacho
Go Fish 1994 Daria Daria has sex with a man and on her way home is challenged by a "jury," who question whether a woman who has sex with a man can call herself a lesbian. She contrasts how a gay man who has sex with a woman is characterized as being "bored, drunk [or] lonely" but if a lesbian has sex with a man "her whole life choice becomes suspect."
Goldfinger 1964 Pussy Galore See notes under her character in literature.
Goldfish Memory 2003 Various Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Grande École 2004 Paul, Mécir Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Grindhouse 2007 Dr. Dakota Block
Henry & June 1990 Anaïs Nin, June Miller Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Horsey 1997 Delilah Miller
High Art 1998 Syd
The History Boys 2006 Stuart Dakis Portrayed as aware and unconfused, in opposition to his homosexual contemporaries.
The Hunger 1983 Miriam Blaylock, Sarah Roberts Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
I Dreamt Under the Water 2008 Antonin
Imagine Me & You 2005 Rachel Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
In extremis 2000 Thomas, Vincent Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Itty Bitty Titty Committee 2007 Shulie Thought to be straight, revealed as more fluid.
Kinsey 2004 Alfred Kinsey Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Kissing Jessica Stein 2001 Jessica Stein, Helen Cooper Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Les temps qui changent 2004 Sami
The Libertine 2005 John Wilmot
Liquid Sky 1982 Margaret
Love Songs 2007 Ismaël Bénolie, Julie Pommerraye, Alice Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
May 2002 May Dove Canady
Midnight Express 1978 Billy Hayes Controversial, film replaces consensual affair between prisoners with a fictionalized rape.
My Own Private Idaho 1991 Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Manhattan 1979 Jill Went from bisexual to lesbian after being married to Isaac.
Monique 1970 Monique, Jean
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh 2008 Cleveland Arning, Art Bechstein
Nowhere 1997 Dark Smith, Mel
One to Another 2006 Pierre
Orlando 1992 Orlando Orlando changes genders, having romances with both genders.
The Pillow Book (film) 1996 Jerome
Portrait of a Marriage 1990 Vita Sackville-West, Harold Nicolson Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Possession 2002
Puccini for Beginners 2006 Grace, Allegra, Samantha Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
The Raspberry Reich 2004 Various Bisexuality is believed to be a necessary part of the 'revolution'.
Race You to the Bottom 2005 Nathan, Maggie Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 1975 Dr. Frank N. Furter, Rocky Horror, Magenta Raff, Brad Majors, Janet Weiss, Columbia, Eddie Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
The Royal Tenenbaums 2002 Margot Tenebaum Had a female lover in Paris.
Rent 2005 Maureen Johnson Maureen fits many negative stereotypes of bisexuality, as she is bad with commitment and has a talent for driving her lovers insane. It's worth noting, however, that her behavior is never attributed to her sexuality in any way, being portrayed as a personal flaw instead.
Savage Nights 1992
The Sex Monster 1999 Laura Barnes
The Sex Movie 2006
Seven Secrets of Sumuru 1969 Sumitra Sumitra uses her sexuality to force men in servitude.
Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills 1989
School of Flesh 1998 Quentin
Saturday Night at the Baths 1974
Score 1972 All characters Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Shortbus 2006 Sofia, Justin Bond Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Sobreviviré (I Will Survive) 1999 Iñaqui
Something for Everyone 1970
Stage Beauty 2004 Ned Kynaston, George Villiers
Sunday Bloody Sunday 1971 Bob Elkin Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Swimming 2002 Frankie Wheeler, Josee
Relax...It's Just Sex 1997
Teorema 1968 The Visitor, Paolo Symbol, sexuality portrayed as fluid with no value judgments.
Three of Hearts 1993 Ellen
Three of Hearts: A Postmodern Family 2004 Sam, Steven Documentary about a bigamous marriage.
Torch Song Trilogy 1988 Ed Reese
Transamerica 2005 Toby Wilkins, Kevin Sexuality portrayed as fluid;, pansexuality suggested.
Velvet Goldmine 1998 Brian & Mandy Slade Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
The War Widow 1976 Amy Portrayed as bisexual, but seen as a lesbian.
Water Drops on Burning Rocks 2000 Leopold, Franz Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Women in Love 1969
Wild Side 2004 Djamel Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Wild Things 1998 Kelly Lanier von Ryan and Suzie Marie Toller
Ya lyublyu tebya (You I Love) 2004 Timofei Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Y tu mamá también 2001 Tenoch Iturbide, Julio Zapata Sexuality portrayed as fluid but sometimes socially problematic. Teenage male characters do not act on their attraction until end of film, under influence of alcohol and while having sex with the same woman. The next morning they are repulsed and regretful, and apparently never discuss what happened.

Literature

Fiction

Title Author Release Date Bisexual Characters Notes
Advise and Consent Allen Drury July 11, 1959 Brigham Anderson Anderson, a married senator, has a homosexual affair.
American Gods Neil Gaiman June 19, 2001 Sam
American Psycho Bret Easton Ellis 1991 Paul Denton, Sean Bateman
Ancient Evenings Norman Mailer 1983
Belle de Jour: diary of a London call girl Anonymous (Belle de Jour) 2006 Belle (Anonymous) Published blog [1]
Bi Guys: Firsthand Fiction for Bisexual Men and Their Admirers Ron Suresha 2006
Blonde Joyce Carol Oates 2000 Cass, Eddie Cass and Eddie are manipulative. Marlon Brando also appears, but his bisexuality is not made apparent.
Breakfast on Pluto Patrick McCabe 1998 Pussy
Bye-Bye Jane Ransom 1997 Rosie
The City and the Pillar Gore Vidal 1948 Bisexuality is portrayed as the most "natural" human state.
Claudine Novels Colette, under the name of her husband, Willy 1900, 1901, 1903
Cloud Atlas David Mitchell 2004 Robert Frobisher
The Color Purple Alice Walker 1982 Celie Johnson, Shug Avery
The Corrections Jonathan Franzen September 2001
Cry to Heaven Anne Rice 1982
The Dispossessed Ursula K. Le Guin 1974
Drawing Blood Poppy Z. Brite 1993 Zack Zack is portrayed as promiscuous, but able to commit.
Dusty Answer Rosamond Lehmann 1927 Judith Judith is attracted to both men and women, and interacts with fairly openly gay and lesbian characters during her years at Cambridge.
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues Tom Robbins 1976 Sissy Hankshaw
Fanny Hill John Cleland 1748 Fanny Hill
Fetish Girl John Glassco 1972 Ursula, Adrian initially published under the pseudonym "Sylvia Bayer"[2][3]
The Fifth Sacred Thing Starhawk 1993
The Fox D. H. Lawrence 1923
The Front Runner Patricia Nell Warren 1974 Harlan Brown, Vince Matti Harlan is portrayed as homosexual, but he was formerly married to a woman; Vince identifies as gay, but still sleeps with women.
Goldfinger Ian Fleming 1959 Pussy Galore Portrayed as a lesbian until she falls in love with James Bond.
Giovanni's Room James Baldwin 1956 David Portrayed as vacillating, weak, and neurotic; Giovanni is portrayed as the villain and a killer.
Glamorama Bret Easton Ellis 1998 Victor Ward While outwardly homophobic refers to his past identification as bi and is easily seduced by Bobby Hughes. Sean Bateman from Rules also reappears.
How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship, and Musical Theater Marc Acito 2004
The Hunger Whitley Strieber 1981 Miriam Blaylock, Sarah Roberts Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood Poppy Z. Brite 1993
The Informers Bret Easton Ellis 1994 Bruce, Graham, Martin, Bryan Metro, Danny, Biff, various others. Various characters are casually bisexual, one of many shared features which serves to make these Los Angeleans almost entirely indistinct from one another.
Just As I Am: A Novel E. Lynn Harris 1995
The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula K. Le Guin 1969
The Last of the Wine Mary Renault 1956
Less Than Zero Bret Easton Ellis 1985 Clay
Little Children Tom Perrotta 2004 Sarah
The Lost Language of Cranes David Leavitt 1986
Lost Souls Poppy Z. Brite 1992 Zillah, Nothing Zillah is portrayed as sexually driven; Nothing is portrayed as young, lonely, and loving).
Lunar Park Bret Easton Ellis 2005 Fictional Bret Easton Ellis, Mitchell Allen Semi-autobiographical author depiction. The fictional Bret also relays that most of the boys at Camden College experimented with bisexuality.
The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon
The Metaphysical Touch Sylvia Brownrigg 1999
Milk and Cookies The Mortal Instruments Cassandra Clare
Mrs Dalloway Virginia Woolf 1925 Clarissa Dalloway, Septimus Warren Smith
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh Michael Chabon April 1988
The Neanderthal Parallax Robert J. Sawyer 2002, 2003 All Neanderthals Neanderthals are all bisexual in the parallel universe.
Orlando: A Biography Virginia Woolf 1928
The Passion Jeanette Winterson 1987
The Persian Boy Mary Renault 1972 Alexander
Primal Tears Kelpie Wilson 2005 Sage is a half human, half bonobo
The Romance of Lust anonymous 1873–1876 Charlie Roberts, the narrator; most other characters Steven Marcus comments “all men … are always and infinitely potent; all women fecundate with lust and flow inexhaustibly with sap or juice or both. Everyone is always ready for everything”.[4]
The Rules of Attraction Bret Easton Ellis 1987 Paul, Sean, Victor Lauren Hynde has relationships with three bisexual men: the flamboyant Paul Denton, the unstable Sean Bateman and the vacuous Victor Johnson. Clay from Less Than Zero also appears.
The Sea Change
Son of a Witch Gregory Maguire 2005 Liir
Story of O Pauline Réage 1954 O
Stranger in a Strange Land Robert A. Heinlein 1961 Valentine Michael Smith Smith is raised on Mars, a planet without gender.
Time Enough for Love Robert A. Heinlein June 1973 Bisexuality is portrayed as the norm.
Two for One--a novel about having choices Sean David Wright 2005 Danielle
The Vesuvius Club/The Devil in Amber Mark Gatiss 2004/2006 Lucifer Box
While England Sleeps David Leavitt 1998
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West Gregory Maguire 1995
Women in Love D. H. Lawrence 1920
Woman on the Edge of Time Marge Piercy 1976 Luciente, Jackrabbit, others In the Utopian future of Mattapoisett, people freely pick partners based on interpersonal compatibility above all other factors.
Young in One Another's Arms Jane Rule 1977
Fireflies Lacey Reah 2011 Linda A bi-curious, married woman is seduced by vampire-like creatures called nymphomites. These creatures feed on orgasms and convince her that she will survive best by only feeding on women.

Comic books

Title Bisexual Characters Notes
Anima
The Authority Swift, Jenny Sparks Prominent gay superheroes Apollo and Midnighter also feature.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight Buffy Summers Otherwise heterosexual Buffy Summers sleeps with Satsu*
Captain Marvel Marlo Chandler, Moondragon
Doom Patrol Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Hellblazer John Constantine Sexuality portrayed as trivial aspect of character.
Justice League Icemaiden
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Jekyll/Hyde
Lost Girls
Marvel 1602 Werner
Outsiders Grace Choi Long list of sexual conquests. Claims to have relationships with women, but only 'sleep with' men.
Secret Six Knockout Violent supervillains.
Spider-Man Electro, Black Cat Electro is a violent supervillain
Black Cat is a one-time love interest of Spider-Man.
Starman Mikaal Tomas Mikaal belongs to an alien race where sexuality is indiscriminate.
Strangers in Paradise Francine, Casey
Supergirl Blithe Sexuality portrayed as fluid but socially problematic.
Thunderbolts Andreas von Strucker, Skein Violent supervillains
Outed during separate runs.
X-Factor Jamie Madrox, Rictor Jamie's duplications occasionally exhibit alternative sexual desires.
Rictor enjoys keeping his sexual orientation somewhat vague.
X-Men Mystique, Destiny As originally intended by Chris Claremont, a committed couple.
Violent supervillains.
X-Statix / X-Force Doop Doop is a sentient, nonhumanoid Cold War lab experiment.
Y: The Last Man Agent 355 Displays attraction to both men and women.

Non-fiction

Title Author Release Date Bisexual Characters Notes
Baby Love: Choosing Motherhood After a Lifetime of Ambivalence Rebecca Walker 2007
Bi Men : Coming Out Every Which Way Ron Suresha and Pete Chvany 2006
The Bisexual Option Fritz Klein
Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World Robyn Ochs 2005
The New Joy of Gay Sex Dr. Charles Silverstein 1993
Portrait of a Marriage Nigel Nicolson 1973 Vita Sackville-West, Harold Nicolson Based on the true story of Vita and Harold Nicolson, a bisexual couple.
Vice Versa: Bisexuality and the Eroticism of Everyday Life Marjorie Garber

Television

Title Bisexual Characters Notes
24 Mandy A terrorist.
All My Children Lena Kundera Lena was the first recurring bisexual character in daytime television. Maggie was sexually confused throughout most of her time on the show. Dated and had sex with several men before committing herself to Bianca Montgomery that make her bisexuality.
Babylon 5 Susan Ivanova Her sexuality is not explicit, but heavily implied.
Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series) Number Six, D'Anna Biers (also known as Number Three), Felix Gaeta Number Three, Number Six and Gaius Baltar have a triangle relationship in Season 3. Felix Gaeta's sexuality was addressed in online "webisodes", where is dating Lt. Hoshi (male) and had a past relationship with a female Cylon.
Bob and Rose Bob Identifies as gay, though finds the only female he's attracted to is Rose.
Bones Angela Montenegro Currently married to a man, but had at least one serious relationship with a woman that was rekindled during the course of the show.
Brookside Lindsey Corkhill Has three marriages on the show, but has a long-term affair with friend Shelley Bower.
Caprica Clarice Willow Clarice is a member of a group marriage involving two husbands and several wives.
Casanova Giacomo Casanova Tries to sleep with a man, only to discover she's a woman and sleep with her anyway.
Coupling Jane Claims to have slept with fifteen women, but seems to be pretending for the attention.
Degrassi: The Next Generation Paige Michalchuk Paige has dated many guys, and one lesbian. She started to question her sexuality when she became attracted to her female friend Alex.
Desperate Housewives Katherine Mayfair Katherine at a sexual attraction to men, and later for a woman.
Dirt Leo Spiller, Julia Mallory, Leo possibly in denial of homosexuality; Julia "only when stoned".
Doctor Who Captain Jack Harkness From the 51st century when pansexuality is the norm.
Drawn Together Foxxy Love, Captain Hero Foxxy is openly bisexual with a preference for men; Captain Hero comically displays sexual attraction to most things, but is secretive about his romantic attraction to men
Eastenders Sonia Fowler, Tony Hills Sonia leaves the show in a happy relationship with a man (with whom she has a daughter), but had sexual relations with a woman beforehand. Tony has an ongoing relationship with Simon Raymond but has a number of affairs with women during that time.
Emmerdale Charity Tate, Debbie Dingle Charity marries Chris Tate and later has an affair with his sister, Zoe. Charity's daughter Debbie has had many relationships with men but becomes serious involved with friend Jasmine Thomas
Ellen Ellen Morgan In terms of behavior only. Closeted lesbian for first three seasons.
Farscape Chiana Sexuality portrayed as fluid.
Family Affairs Adam Sheldrake, Karen Ellis, Brendan Boulter Adam Sheldrake is engaged to Gabby Johnson but later has a fling with friend Clive Starr. Karen is engaged to long-time boyfriend Matt who she marries but later leaves him to have a relationship with Kelly Hurst. After Kelly dies, Karen reconciles with Matt. Brendan Boulter dates Becky Scott and Melanie Costello, who he eventually marries but has affairs with Sean Steel and a man named Jason.
Family Guy Lois Griffin, possibly Stewie Griffin Lois at one point reveals she had same-sex relations when she was younger, but eventually lost interest. Stewie's orientation is left ambiguous, with many hints indicating he is either bi or gay.
Firefly Inara Takes a female client in the episode "War Stories" and mentions having done so in the past occasionally.
Footballers' Wives Conrad Gates Discreetly bisexual, Conrad had many female partners but had an affair with struggling gay character, Noah.
Glee Brittany S. Pierce Has been described on the show as "fluid" and "bicurious," and the fall 2011 GLAAD report listed her as bisexual. Brittany has had sex with most of the boys in school and Santana, and has had romantic relationships with both Artie and Santana. She also once claimed to want to touch Coach Bieste's boobs.
The Good Wife Kalinda Sharma
Gossip Girl Chuck Bass, Elliot, Olivia Burke Chuck, while primarily portrayed as a promiscuous womanizer, has admitted to kissing guys before. Elliot states explicitly that he likes boys and girls, and begins a relationship with Eric, who is gay. Olivia Burke kisses Vanessa more than once during their threesome with Dan Humphrey.
Grey's Anatomy Calliope Torres Married to George O'Malley for a brief time. Has a sexual relationship with a male doctor before embarking on two consecutive relationships with women.
Hollyoaks Craig Dean, Kris Fisher, Ravi Roy Craig is depicted as straight until he starts an affair with best friend John Paul McQueen, who is gay. Kris is a self-identified bisexual cross-dresser and has had affairs with both genders, through primarily females. Ravi begins a relationship with Nancy but then sleeps with Kris, both of whom were having an affair themselves, causing the three of them to form a short-lived 'love triangle'.
House "Thirteen"
The L Word Alice Pieszecki, Jenny Schecter, Phyllis Kroll Sexuality portrayed as fluid, but can be socially problematic. Often shown as a phase.
L.A. Law C.J. Lamb First kiss between women on a prime time television series and first regular bisexual character on a prime time TV.
Law & Order Episodes "Castoff" and "Obsession" both feature psychotic bisexuals
Law & Order: Criminal Intent Nicole Wallace Arch-nemesis of Detective Robert Goren. Appears in episodes "Anti-Thesis", "A Person of Interest", "Great Barrier", and "Grow". Referred to in episodes "Pas de Deux", "Slither", and "Renewal".
The Midnight Caller episode "After it Happened"/1988 – spreading AIDS from the Gay community to straight women.
Nip/Tuck Quentin Costa, probably Julia McNamara and Kimber Henry, possibly Christian Troy and Matt McNamara
The O.C. Alex Kelly, Marissa Cooper Had a casual romance during a part of the series second season
One Tree Hill Anna Taggaro First recurring bisexual character of color on television.
Oz Chris Keller, Tobias Beecher Keller homicidal sociopath; Beecher previously married but falls in love and engages in sexual relationship with Keller.
Queer as Folk (US) Hunter, Lindsay Sexuality portrayed as fluid, but can be socially problematic.
The Real World: Sydney Shauvon Torres Bisexual woman in reality TV show.
This Life Ferdy
Roseanne Nancy Bartlett, Beverly Harris
Rose by Any Other Name... Rose
Secret Diary of a Call Girl Belle/Hannah
Sex and the City Samantha Jones
The Staircase Murders Michael Peterson
A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila Tila Tequila Bisexual themed reality dating show.
Scrubs The Todd, Elliot Reid, Bob Kelso In "My Lucky Charm" he begins to hit on men, stating 'The Todd appreciates hot, regardless of gender'. Through the series, Elliot shows strong signs of being bisexual. Kelso often speaks of times in his past and hints he may have been with another man.
Six Feet Under Russel, Keith Charles, Billy Chenowith Russel is confused; Keith is primarily gay; Billy is primarily straight.
Skins Tony Stonem, Cassie Ainsworth, Mini McGuinness Tony's sexual behavior is primarily towards women, but he has a one-night stand with Maxxie; it is later revealed through his subconscious that Tony is polysexual. Cassie begins sexual relations with both men and women to spite her boyfriend. In series 5, Franky Fitzgerald states that she 'likes people' but doesn't identify as bi, indicating she is gender-blind. Mini's later attraction towards Franky implies she is bisexual.
South of Nowhere Ashley Davies Displayed a romantic/sexual attraction to ex-boyfriend Aiden Dennison on more than one occasion, but often identifies as a lesbian.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Jadzia Dax, Kira Nerys in alternate universe, Ezri Dax and Elim Garak. Dax's relationships with females portrayed as related to previous existence as a male, alternate-universe Kira portrayed as a hedonistic tyrant. Garak was originally intended as omnisexual by the actor, and many fans still consider him as such, although he never engages in an 'official' relationship throughout the seasons.
Sugar Rush Sugar, Saint
Survivors Anya
The Tudors George Boleyn, Thomas Tallis
Torchwood Captain Jack, Toshiko, Ianto, Captain John. All main characters sexualities intended to remain fluid. Other characters Gwen and Owen's sexualities remain ambiguous. Jack and John embody pansexuality to varying degrees, whereas Ianto and Tosh more realistically depict 21st century bisexuals. Ianto explicitly acknowledges that he identifies as bisexual in the Torchwood novel Twilight Streets.[5] Also, the actor who played Ianto, Gareth David-Lloyd, stated, "He doesn’t quite strike me as a labelist anyway, but if he were a labelist, he’d probably be bisexual." [6]
Wild West Mary Trewednack, Angela Phillips They are a lesbian couple and then decide that the romance has left the relationship and start to date men.
Will & Grace Karen Walker
Xena Xena, Gabrielle Possibly lovers; implied from middle of the series to its end. Hints that Xena may have been sexually intimate with two women before Gabrielle are also present.
How I Met Your Mother Lily Aldrin She has had many dreams about her friend Robin.

Music

Title Artist Notes
"Bicoastal" Peter Allen
"John, I'm Only Dancing" David Bowie
"Sexuality" Billy Bragg
"My Wife Left Me For My Girlfriend" The Bellamy Brothers
"The Middle" Edie Carey
"Bisexual Girl" Coyote Shivers
"Bye Bisexual Boy" Das Pop
"If It Isn't Her" Ani DiFranco
"In or Out" Ani DiFranco
"Shameless" Ani DiFranco
"Light of Some Kind" Ani DiFranco
"I Like Dick and Jane" Laya Fisher
"My Boyfriend's Back" Monica Grant
"Coming Clean" Green Day About Billie Joe's own sexuality.[7]
"This Door Swings Both Ways" Herman's Hermits
"Bisexual Military" Hypnotic Clambake
"Human's Lib" Howard Jones
"Hey Mister, She Was My Baby Last Night Candye Kane
"Poker Face Lady Gaga Lady Gaga has said the song is about fantasizing of a woman while sleeping with a man.
"Sneakin' In The Back Door" The Late Bloomers
"Bi" Living Colour
"Softcore" of Montreal
"Which Way Do You Go?" Paxton
"I Kissed A Girl" Katy Perry
"Nancy Boy" Placebo
"Sissy Blues" Ma Rainey
"My Bride" Robin Renee
"I Do Both Jay and Jane" La Rissa
"The Last Word" Tom Robinson
"More Lives Than One" Tom Robinson
"I Kissed A Girl" Jill Sobule
"Double Your Chances" STA-PREST
"ACDC" Sweet
"I Like It Both Ways" Supernaut
"I Spent My Last $10 on Birth Contol and Beer" Two Nice Girls
"Take Me on the Floor" The Veronicas
"Black Girls" Violent Femmes
"Pink Triangle" Weezer "everyone's a little queer"
"Sissy Man Blues" Josh White
"Kiss That Boy" Leah Zicari
"i u she" Peaches
"Secretly" Skunk Anansie
"Zwitter' Rammstein
3-Way (The Golden Rule) The Lonely Island, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga "it's not gay, when it's in a three-way,"

Theatre

Title Character Notes
Alfred Kinsey: A Love Story[8] Alfred Kinsey
Butley Butley
Diagnosis: Jew Pain[1] Michael Feldman Stand up comedy show about Feldman's life.
Gemini Francis Treated sympathetically, seen in positive light.
Hair[9] Claude, Berger, Woof, various
The History Boys Dakin Self-aware, complacent, unconfused
Rent Maureen Unable to commit.
Rocky Horror Show Various portrayals
The Shadow Box Brian Bisexuality simple fact.
Sodom, or the Quintessence of Debauchery (1684) King Bolloxinion; most other characters An obscene Restoration closet drama thought to be by John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester. Bolloxinion, King of Sodom, commands universal same-sex sodomy.[10]
Spring Awakening Ernst Seduced by male classmate.
Torch Song Trilogy Ed
The Vagina Monologues "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy"

Video games

Title Character Notes
Mass Effect Commander Shepard (Female), Liara T'Soni, Sha'ira If the player creates a female character, they can pursue a romantic relationship with either a human male, Kaiden Alenko, or asari female, Liara T'Soni. Liara, however, claims that asari are mono-gendered, but all are referred to with feminine pronouns and appear physically female. Shepard of either gender can also have a sexual encounter with the Asari Consort, Sha'ira.
Dragon Age Origins The Player Character, Leliana, Zevran The player (if female) can engage their character in a romantic relationship with either (or on occasion, all) Alistair (male), Leliana (female) or Zevran (male). A male character can pair with Morrigan (female), Leliana or Zevran.
Dragon Age 2 The Player Character
Bully Jimmy Hopkins, Several Male Students. Kissing various characters, male or female, regains health; homosexual content is optional.
Darkstalkers Lilith Aensland and Morrigan Aensland Both succubi
Fable Potentially any If the player does not marry and have sex with female characters, the personality status screen will label the character as gay. Otherwise, the player will be labeled as bisexual.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Vamp A villain; according to dialogue within the game, "Vamp" is considered slang for bisexual.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Colonel Volgin A villain, is in a relationship with Tatyana and his top officer, Major Raidenovich.
Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh Curtis Craig First game to establish playable character as bisexual.
Morrowind Crassius Curio Non player character, attempts to seduce players of either sex.
The Sims All All characters can potentially fall in love with either gender, however Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and DS versions appear to have removed any same-sex 'romance' interactions.
Fallout 2 Miria and Davin A player character can marry either of them, regardless of sex.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Therese and Jeanette Voerman; various The player can choose the sex of his character and seduce characters regardless of the sex chosen. The character Jeanette/Therese Voerman (the characters have a split personality and are therefore actually the same character) is apparently explicitly bisexual.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bell de Jour's Blog
  2. ^ Ostry, Bernard; Yalden, Janice (2004). Visions of Canada: the Alan B. Plaunt memorial lectures, 1958-1992. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 310–311. ISBN 0773526625. 
  3. ^ Sutherland, Fraser (1983). "Sylvia Bayer and the Search for Rubber". Canadian Poetry 13: 86–91. http://www.uwo.ca/english/canadianpoetry/cpjrn/vol13/sutherland.htm. 
  4. ^ Marcus, Steven. The Other Victorians: A Study of Sexuality and Pornography in Mid-Nineteenth-Century England. New York: Basic Books, (1966)
  5. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ianto_Jones
  6. ^ http://www.afterelton.com/people/2008/2/garethdavidlloyd
  7. ^ "Coming Clean", The Advocate interview with Billie Joe Armstrong (January 24, 1995)
  8. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (September 11, 2007). "A New Play From a Producer Who's an Old Hand". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/11/theater/11kins.html?scp=5&sq=bisexuality&st=nyt. 
  9. ^ The Advocate Interview with James Rado
  10. ^ Johnson, J.W. (1987). "Did Lord Rochester write Sodom?". Publications of the Bibliographical Society 81: 119–153.