Mirrors explores representation in many layers. What about the audience members who will relate most to Bird? What does it mean to be a darker skinned lesbian in the South? What if you're plus-size, or masc-presenting?
And what about Belle? She could possibly be seen as a bisexual portrayal of a woman within then 1960’s. And not just any woman, a black woman. It's critical that the portrayals of the LGBTQ communities be of full accuracy and complexity. I wish that wholeness was exclusive of the stories told of us.
Many times, the portrayal of bisexual people are watered-down. People are usually either closeted or open. But what about the shades in-between? It feels dishonest when we tell stories of sexuality from a black and white perspective.
LGBTQ Representation in Media
We know Will and Grace, and probably The Kids Are Alright very well. Even Annalise Keating gave us some black bisexual representation on television on How to Get Away With Murder.
There must be further conversations around ideas of queer baiting within media. There is also a lack of authenticity within portrayals of LGBTQ experiences... as if queer and trans people do not exist. Why is there ever a need to cast anyone other than these experiences? And are not at times, fighting to stay alive. But, I digress. Make no mistake. Representation most certainly matters.
Mirrors, is part of the representation that we require to be painted fully as Black LGBTQ+. We are hungry to be seen as whole beings. Azure D. Osborne-Lee's Mirrors premieres online this Fall. Get ticketshere.