#bisexual entertainers

[claireneto]

"That's been my family's attitude for a generation. Monty [sic] sexuality got framed as a destructive force in his life instead of a mere fact of it. And as far as anybody could tell, that happened on my father's watch, he had worked with Patty Bosworth and urged everyone else to do the same". 

Robert Clift on his uncle, Montgomery Clift's sexuality in Making Montgomery Clift (2018)

Just a reminder that it's Bisexual Visibility Day 💖💜💙 and I hope all my bi mutuals are having a great day!!! I wanted to touch on how media uses biphobia and bi-erasure for monetary gain. I'll briefly mention some BIPOC examples as well, but since I'm very white I won't go into detail since it's not my place to. If you're BIPOC reblog or comment so I can boost your stories about bisexual BIPOC experiences. Now onto this shortish essay, I promise!!!

So, the quote above is taken from the documentary Making Montgomery Clift (2018) by Robert Clift and Hillary Demmon (Robert's Wife). Robert is Monty's nephew through his older brother Brooks. This documentary is a great lens to look at how Hollywood and various other media portray sexuality or gender identity as an illness or the "root" of the problem.

The quote starts at minute 43:00 in the documentary, Robert is explaining how his father Brooks on a phone call with Patty Bosworth, Monty Clift's biographer and family friend, went wrong. Brooks tried to clear his brother's name of how his substance abuse addictions were not caused by his sexuality, but by the infamous car accident or the painful surgeries he went through as a child and young adult.

Brooks was trying to make Patty understand that Monty's bisexuality wasn't the "root" of his problem. As Robert says in the quote Brooks "urged" family members to get the record right since biographers just like Robert LaGuardia, who ignored editorial notes or the advice from the Clift family.

Patty Bosworth would end up doing the same thing with Monty's "tormented" sexuality and that was the "cause" of his problems. Despite Brooks trying to help re-edit some of Patty's word choices, i.e., when Monty was got having sex with a young man. Patty said it was a young "boy", which enraged Brooks, who knew his brother wasn't a p*dophile because of his bisexuality.

Because Patty ignored Brook's advice, Monty's reputation was tarnished after his death (Bosworth made her book years after Monty died). Brooks even noted to his family that despite the car accident that Monty was in, Monty on record believed his best performances were post-car accident despite the ongoing substance abuse. It had nothing to do with his sexuality.

When Monty died it was discovered that he had an underactive thyroid, which meant he could appear sluggish or drugged even though he was sober at the moment. This illness could've made people believe Monty was not mentally there on set that day when he was actually mentally there. Montgomery Clift's story is a reminder to treat people with respect flaws and all when comes to their bisexuality or gender identity. Monty was also comfortable in his sexuality which was such a rare exception for Hollywood at the time (see Lavender Scare) and he paved the way for more queer actors to have prominence in the entertainment industry.

Despite Monty's story, he is not the only one that has had a reputation tarnished or has an important detail in their life misconstrued. The list of previous people, who's lives has been littered with bi-erasure/biphobia include Anna May Wong, Billy Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Cary Grant, and David Bowie.

Since the new century, other people have been erased from the bisexual umbrella or had biphobic remarks made toward them. Some of these people are Lady Gaga, Megan Thee Stallion, Evan Rachel Wood, Alia Shawkat, Frank Ocean, Leslie Cheung, etc. This gross habit made by the media and Hollywood has caused these people to deal with these false narratives about them and have their lives tarnished.

In conclusion, we need to stop people from exploiting one's bisexuality or sexuality/gender expression for monetary gain. Listen to bisexual people about their personal experiences especially if they're a person of color. Bisexuality just like homosexuality is not a disease. Be proud of yourself and how far you've come. Similar to what Magneto said in X-Men 2: United, be yourself and "never let anyone tell you different".

(Note: if there are any errors that you notice feel free to correct me. You can also watch the documentary Making Montgomery Clift on Tubi for free.)

[tightsstuff]

Energy saving time 💦

[bee-gara]

they are so real for this

[crispycreambacon]

Ryan really channeled his poor little meow meow energy at the end there huh

(Fun fact: Ryan took 10 minutes to do while Shane took. over 30. Dear lord.)

[yourdailyqueer]

Guilda (Jean Guida) (deceased)

Gender: Male (she/her in drag)

Sexuality: Bisexual

DOB: 21 June 1924  

RIP: 27 June 2012

Ethnicity: White - French

Occupation: Drag artist, entertainer, singer, actor, artist

[dawningfairytale]

ocean: i accept your whole gay thing, i just don't get it

noel: okay. i'll regret this, but what part don't you get?

ocean: why would you prefer men over women? i'm straight but i could never imagine being with a man... like... that. women are infinitely more attractive. why would you make your life harder for a subpar mate?

noel (internally):

noel (internally):

[sardonic-the-writer]

Watcher being the top post in all of Tumblr durring the first day of pride month, specifically a video of them supporting queer people, is making me feel things

[flameyfay]

Scientists say I emit a special kind of seductive energy.

[shar3dmom3nts]

Queen Miran!

[pabval1973]

[apurpledust]

i'm reading Napoleon: Bisexual Emperor by Frank Richardson and although the book itself is a mess i do like the small amount of Napoleon/Duroc excerpts I found😭

[canonqueercharacters]

The canon queer character of the day is:

Old Ben from Fallout: New Vegas, who is bisexual.

[bellezza69]

snap filter on the twins 💋😈

[yourdailyqueer]

Jane Avril (deceased)

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Bisexual

DOB: 9 June 1868  

RIP: 17 January 1943

Ethnicity: White - French

Occupation: Dancer, singer, entertainer

Note: Zsa Zsa Gabor portrayed Avril in the original Moulin Rouge half a century later, the semi-fictionalized character was reinterpreted by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge!