The Bisexual Created Just For Representation
It’s also common that LGBTQ+ characters are thrown into shows without development, either to tick the representation boxes or bring up viewer ratings.
Sadly, a victim of this trope is Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell) from The Vampire Diaries franchise. The nineteen-year-old tri-brid (witch-werewolf-vampire mix) is slowly becoming known only as Landon Kirby’s girlfriend and is not living up to her known potential as the protagonist of Legacies. Where are the wolf transformations and the powerful spells she demonstrated in The Originals?
Though confirmed by both Russell and show writers as a bisexual character, her sexuality has never been properly addressed on-screen. The only indication we get is in an easily dismissible line regarding her previous attraction to fellow witch, Josie Saltzman. At the beginning of season two, when fighting a monster, Hope states “I had a crush on Josie for a week when we were fourteen”. Yet their past mutual attraction is never explicitly explored again, aside from a few side comments. The number of hints surrounding the two that are subsequently disregarded as the plot develops can now only be described as blatant queer-baiting. In the season two finale, consent is discusses, which prevents the duo from kissing in Josie’s subconscious. Yet only one episode later, for the benefit of a heterosexual pairing, said consent is easily dismissed to wake Hope from unconsciousness. Why should different rules apply for a bisexual character depending on whether they are with a male or female partner? For now, there is still hope for the exploration of her sexuality, seeing as the show is still in its early seasons compared to its predecessors.
Countering this portrayal is Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor) from The 100. Though the show ended last year, it is still groundbreaking in terms of how freely it incorporated bisexuality; unlike most bisexual characters, Clarke is not sidelined but instead the main protagonist. She’s a bold, powerful leader and unapologetically herself – what more could you want? Throughout the seven seasons, she has several relationships, her most recognisable being between her and Lexa, until the latter dies (frustratingly playing into the typical bury-your-gays trope). Whilst again, she never explicitly declares her sexuality on-screen, it’s not needed, as she inhabits a key message that people’s identities are more than their sexuality. Furthermore, she emphasises the fluidity of sexuality and that a lack of gender preference does not invalidate your sexuality. Bisexuals aren’t gay when they are in a same-sex pairing or straight when they are in the opposite. Anyway, regarding coming out, who has the time when you’re living in a post-apocalyptic world and trying to outrun death?
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