Writing Bisexual Characters for Beginners and Best Practices

What are the most common tropes to avoid when writing bisexual characters?

Avoid the "deadly seductress" or "predatory villain" tropes, which falsely link bisexuality to moral corruption or lack of boundaries. Also, steer clear of the "tragic bi" trope where the character dies to resolve plot tension. Many people assume that bisexual characters must have a history of trauma to justify their orientation, but in reality, bisexuality is a neutral, inherent trait that requires no external catalyst. Writers often feel pressured to provide a "reason" for the identity, but a character’s orientation can simply exist as a factual component of their life.

How can authors effectively distinguish between bisexuality and other sexual orientations in their narratives?

Distinguishing bisexuality involves showing a character’s capacity for attraction to multiple genders without requiring them to "prove" it through a specific ratio of past partners. A character doesn't need a 50/50 split of experience to be valid. For instance, a character who has only dated people of one gender can still identify as bisexual, as the identity is defined by potential and internal experience rather than a tally of past relationships.

One nuance is the distinction between labels like pansexual or omnisexual, which some characters may prefer over bisexual. While these terms often overlap, they can signal different personal philosophies regarding gender. A character might use "bisexual" as a broad, political umbrella or "pansexual" to emphasize that gender does not factor into their attraction. Authors should allow characters to choose terms that feel personally accurate, rather than forcing them to adhere to rigid academic definitions.

In what ways does the 'bi-erasure' phenomenon manifest in contemporary literature?

Bi-erasure appears when a character’s identity is ignored, mislabeled, or treated as a temporary state by the narrative voice or other characters.

1. Labeling a character as "straight" the moment they enter an opposite-sex relationship.
2. Characterizing a character as "gay" simply because they are currently dating someone of the same gender.
3. Using dialogue where secondary characters demand the protagonist "pick a side" to resolve their confusion.
4. Omitting the word "bisexual" from the text entirely, even when the character’s attractions are clearly depicted.
5. Framing the character's past relationships with different genders as "experiments" rather than genuine, meaningful connections.

What are some examples of nuanced, well-regarded bisexual representation in modern fiction?

Modern literature offers several examples of characters whose bisexuality is integrated into their broader, complex lives.

• Rosa Diaz from the television series Brooklyn Nine-Nine provides a grounded look at the difficulty of coming out to family while maintaining a tough, professional exterior.
• Magnus Bane in the Shadowhunters series demonstrates how a character’s long lifespan and history can naturally incorporate multiple long-term relationships with various genders.
• Circe in Madeline Miller’s novel offers a mythological perspective where attraction is fluid and independent of modern societal labels or expectations.
• Nick Nelson from the Heartstopper graphic novels highlights the quiet, internal process of self-discovery and the relief of finding a label that fits.

How does the intersection of bisexuality with other identity markers, such as race or disability, impact character development?

Yes, intersectionality shapes how individuals experience stigma, as bisexual women of color report higher rates of intimate partner violence compared to straight peers. Research suggests that these compounded identities create unique pressures, forcing characters to balance multiple facets of their existence while navigating systemic biases that often overlook their specific needs.

What terminology should writers be familiar with to accurately depict the bisexual experience?

Writers should familiarize themselves with terms that describe the spectrum of attraction and the specific challenges faced by the community.

• Biphobia refers to the specific prejudice or aversion directed toward bisexual people, often manifesting as disbelief or hostility from both straight and gay communities.
• Monosexism describes the systemic belief that people should only be attracted to one gender, which serves as the root cause of much erasure.
• Fluidity captures the reality that a person's intensity or focus of attraction may shift over time, which is a common experience for many bisexual individuals.
• Passing denotes the experience of being perceived as straight or gay based on a current partner, which often leads to the invalidation of one's true identity.

How can a writer ensure a bisexual character's identity feels organic to the plot rather than performative?

No, identity should be woven into the character's daily life, not treated as a plot device. Since approximately 50% of bisexual people are not "out" to everyone in their lives, it is realistic to show characters managing their visibility based on the safety of their specific environment.

What resources or sensitivity reading practices are recommended for authors writing outside their own lived experience?

Sensitivity readers provide an external check on tropes and inaccuracies, but they should not be used as a replacement for personal research. When hiring a reader, look for someone with specific experience in the nuance of the bisexual experience, as they can identify subtle instances of erasure that an author might miss. For example, a reader might point out that a character’s dialogue inadvertently invalidates their own identity by framing their past as a "phase," which is a common mistake for writers unfamiliar with the community's history.

One important exception is the idea that a single sensitivity reader represents the entire bisexual community. Because the experience is diverse, one person’s feedback reflects their specific perspective rather than a universal truth. Authors should consider this input alongside their own research, using it to refine the character’s voice rather than as a definitive manual for how all bisexual people must think or act.