#at least jeremiah isn't the only bi character though!

[rynliadon]

just watched the summer I turned pretty. I was pleasantly surprised at first that jeremiah (one of the main guys) is bisexual, and even has an on screen kiss with another boy! but the thing that bothered me is that they didn't really flesh out more of what being bisexual added to his character. his bisexuality was entirely limited to hookups, to the point where it's mentioned multiple times that jeremiah "flirts with everyone." and the thing is, they'll play into that biphobic trope of someone who sleeps around and flirts with everyone, but the closest they can get to him actually saying the word bisexual is him saying that he's "equal opportunity." overall, I was glad that they included a bisexual character, but that part of his character was such an afterthought that you could miss it if you weren't paying attention, and it doesn't affect any other parts of the story. I don't want another of the same coming of age coming out story, but I think if you're going to make a character bisexual, ESPECIALLY if they're the only bisexual character there at all, don't half-ass it.

#the thing is that this issue is so easily fixable #he (or anyone!) just needed to say the word bisexual at any point #maybe there's a bi flag in his room #or the charity his mother sponsors is for LGBTQ youth #just anything that acknowledged his queerness outside of the context of hookups #bc being bisexual is about more than that! #jeremiah fisher #the summer i turned pretty #OH EDIT: I forgot he's not the only bisexual character because cleveland castillo is also bi #I actually thought cleveland's bisexuality was handled fine; they say the word bisexual‚ he doesn't have any biphobic stereotypes‚ etc. #but I do have similar criticisms r.e. bisexuality being an afterthought/mentioned only once or twice and not incorporated into his #- character as a whole #at least jeremiah isn't the only bi character though! #ryn dot text