When we first talked for I Hate Everyone But You, Gaby discussed the importance of having Gen loudly and constantly say the word ‘bisexual’ and feel empowered, excited, and comfortable being bisexual which seems small to those who aren’t aware of how hesitant some writers weirdly are with using the word. One of the best things about having Gen be a canon bisexual in the way that she is, is the fact that she’s very imperfect and very human as opposed to written like this “idealized being” that could never do wrong (even though Gen would probably argue that she is indeed an idealized being). “I know as a bisexual, I felt a lot of shame because you’re supposed to be like, ‘I’m bi but I’m not slutty,’ ‘I’m bi but I don’t care about group sex,’ ‘I’m bi but I’m monogamous,’ or whatever and I just got really tired of the respectability politics of it. And also, that I am a bad example: I’m a bisexual and I’m all the stereotypes and I exist. I don’t know what to tell you. Like, I’m sorry that is doesn’t match with what to present to straight people, but here we are,” she starts when I ask her about the importance of letting Gen get to be the quintessential Disaster Bi. (In case anyone is wondering, I do establish that I classify Ava as a Disaster Straight.) “I think both the characters are imperfect but I wanted to make a bi girl who was what I would have been like at that age and what I would have wanted to read about and who, you know, isn’t perfect,” she continues. “I dunno, I think I did a lot of partying and drinking and making of these kinda poor decisions that are like a journey to getting where you are. Like, I’m 31, so maybe when Gen’s 31 she’ll get my, like, esteemed nirvana that I have reached–” “Oh God,” Allison sighs. “But until then, it’s a mess,” Gaby keeps going. “And I just wanted young bi girls to know that it’s okay that you’re a mess.” #AllisonRaskin #GabyDunn #gabydunnandallisonraskin #PleaseSendHelpBook #PleaseSendHelp #IHateEveryoneButYou #JustBetweenUsShow #Interview #Throwback #Book #Authors 📸: Robyn Van Swank https://teenplicity.com/gaby-dunn-and-allison-raskin-send-help/ https://www.instagram.com/p/B3-K5q8JSxm/?igshid=1adzuamqnb08p
