Another Thought on Willow's Sexuality

[itsnotmymind]

So there's a lot of conversation as to whether Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is gay or straight. I'm on the fence myself - I think both interpretations required a bit of fanwanking. But something just struck me

Comments

[author_by_night]

It's hard to say, because it's unclear whether that's just how Willow defined herself or if the show simply didn't consider making her bisexual, or maybe felt there wasn't room for that conversation. The concept of bisexuality has been around for ages, and yet I think it was still a trope until fairly recently that in the media, often someone was either gay all along or straight all along. If they were bisexual, it was more played as a joke or as them being fickle. Actually, being gay or "mistaken for gay" was also treated like a joke, even in earlier episodes of Buffy. Ugh

[itsnotmymind]

No apology needed for long comment! I don't think I have anything to say back, but your thoughts are good. It is really complicated.

[kikimay]

That's an interesting take though. If we consider "now" (As you point out) the interpretation of Willow's words should be: "I was hetero/bisexual before, but now I'm gay" which means that her sexuality did change.

I read opinions on why she was "always gay" or "always bisexual". Never acknowledging the potential change.

[itsnotmymind]

Yeah, it's a weird one. I'm really not sure what the writers were thinking.

[rogueslayer452]

I know it's deemed a controversial issue, especially in the fandom because there's still so much debate about this, however here are my thoughts

[itsnotmymind]

Yeah - in New Moon Rising there's no indication that she isn't attracted to men. By Triangle she is "gay now". We never find out when/what changed.

[rogueslayer452]

I have my own interpretation of when it happened, but it it sad nonetheless that we never actually got a scene where we saw this transition of her discovering her sexuality. While it wouldn't have stopped the countless debates had about her sexuality, I do think it would've at least lessened how heated and "controversial" the topic is whenever it's brought up.

[itsnotmymind]

What is your interpretation?

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Good point. :)

[itsnotmymind]

Thank you :)