Disagreement with Ambiguously Bisexual Trope on TV Tropes
What TV Tropes character description do you disagree with? Irsquo;m happy to engage in this discussion, particularly when it comes to the Ambiguously Bisexual trope. This characterization has been a point of contention for me, and Irsquo;d like to share why.
Why the Characterization Matters
Oddly enough, this feels like the first request Irsquo;ve received that has a personal attribution. Irsquo;m a big TV Tropes user, with 8 pages currently in my Reading List and more to come. However, I donrsquo;t contribute much as an editor, primarily because I tend to overanalyze creative media. Therefore, the phrasing feels directed at someone who uses but doesnrsquo;t edit the site enough to change character descriptions.
As an aside, Irsquo;ve previously mentioned how few characters in media are fairly listed as asexual, and I cited TV Tropes as a reference. This would be a good starting point, but my focus here is on something that needs addressing sooner.
Character Tags and Trope Categories
Character Tags in TV Tropes are supposed to consist of hard facts derived from visual, verbal, and written confirmation from the article or the creators. Any discussion or speculation should be sorted into other categories such as Wild Mass Guessing and Your Mileage Might Vary.
The Ambiguously Bisexual Trope
Recently, Irsquo;ve noticed a continual insistence on using fanon interpretations for certain characters, such as:
Father Jack Hackett from Father Ted Morty Smith from Rick and Morty Amy Fowler from The Big Bang Theory Spongebob Squarepants from Spongebob Squarepants Starfire from Teen TitansThese character tags all cite the use of the Ambiguously Bisexual trope, which can be misleading and detractive.
Understanding the Problem
I am not complaining about the existence of bisexual individuals or their representation in media. Irsquo;m also not promoting the erasure of bisexuality or any other sexuality. Irsquo;m an aromantic asexual, and I experience erasure daily. My concerns here are based on the manner in which this character description exists to fuel fan fiction and erotica.
Impact on Bisexual Representation
The characterization of bisexuality as a 50/50 split is problematic. If a person deviates from this balanced view, they are often labeled with a preference towards one sex. In media, when a relationship blossoms between two members of the same sex but heteroromantic subtext remains, the relationship is often shifted to bisexual for easier tagging purposes. This kind of labeling is degrading and harmful in real life, let alone in fictional characters.
Addressing Trope Criticisms
There are various sex tropes discussed on TV Tropes, and no aspect is untouched. However, the Ambiguously Bisexual trope is one that treats bisexuality as a fluid and complex identity rather than a simple, binary state. This character description should be placed in a discussion forum rather than on a trope page, as it is more interpretive than hard fact.
Conclusion
In sum, my disagreement with the Ambiguously Bisexual trope is rooted in its tendency to erase genuine bisexual relationships and characters while serving fan fiction and erotica. It is an interpretive trope that should be categorized accordingly.
Do you have any suggestions for improving my phrasing or any edits you would recommend? Your feedback is valuable in ensuring that my argument is clear and inclusive.
TLDR
The Ambiguously Bisexual trope on TV Tropes is a misrepresented form of character description that threatens to erase genuine bisexuality while serving fanfiction and erotica. It should be addressed and categorized appropriately to better understand and respect the complexity of bisexual identity.