Why, Hollywood?
So I've been thinking (a dangerous pastime, I know).
Why does bisexuality not exist on TV? Or rather, why does it exist but no one is willing to acknowledge it?
( see me ramble )
Why does bisexuality not exist on TV? Or rather, why does it exist but no one is willing to acknowledge it?
( see me ramble )
On the other hand, I have to disagree with Willow. A lot of gay women have truly wonderful relationships with men before they realize their own sexuality. What I mean is...they're as happy as they've ever been without knowing that something IS missing.
Remember when Erica had that speech about finally seeing the leaves on Grey's Anatomy? That's the best way I can describe it. I think Willow was perfectly happy with men...until Tara came along and the light bulb went off. Erica was the same way. But Callie...Callie didn't see the leaves because she isn't 100% gay. She's bisexual and the show just kinda dropped that because I think THEY think it confuses people.
In essence, I agree with your argument that bisexuality is a real thing (I'm bisexual!) and that television doesn't show it that way.
There are a million examples of supposedly bisexual characters who are bisexual for about a minute before 1) going right back to men (Angela on Bones, 13 on House) or 2) forgetting they're bisexual and only sleeping with women (Alice, The L Word).
It's ridiculous and I hate it but I honestly don't see it changing anytime soon. Bisexuality has become an easy way for writers to throw in some girl-on-girl action without dealing with 'the gay issue'. Then, they just have their characters go back to men without a second thought...OR, as you pointed out, it's a way to get the audience comfortable with the character's sexuality before making her totally gay. Either way, it just shows how narrow-minded the American audience is perceived to be.
(Hee. Sorry for the LONG ran, btw :D)
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I guess I just don't see Willow the same way. When I look at her relationship with Oz, and I look at her relationship with Tara, I don't see a great difference in the emotions involved. Her relationship with Tara doesn't feel any deeper or more meaningful to me. I don't see anything missing in her relationship with Oz, nor does Willow ever say or imply, that I can remember, that she felt something missing, even after she starts seeing women. In fact, doesn't she tell Oz, after she's realized her feelings for Tara are more than friends, that part of her will always be waiting for him?
And god, 13 on House. Grr. We see her with women when she's emotionally spiraling and falling apart, but of course it's a man she really needs! I actually really wanted her to stay with the one female patient she was involved with. They were cute.
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And I can see the Willow situation from both sides. She never does say out-right that her relationship(s) with men were lacking anything nor does she ever say that her relationship(s) with women were more intense. That's just how I read it.
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