Well, now..

[textualdeviance]

This is quite fascinating.

From an interview with Stephen Daldry, the director of The Hours and Billy Elliot, explaining his marriage to a woman:

"Lucy and I have known each other for many, many years, and we wanted to have kids. But if anybody asks me if I'm gay, I'd say, 'yes' because politically, it seems important to say you're gay. Whether that means you have to engage in gay sexual activity, God knows."

Now, as someone who has crusaded for bi visibility, I have to admit there's something there that rankles me, but on the other hand, he's honest about who he sleeps with, and that's pretty damned cool. I'm all for pushing the envelopes.

Comments

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

So he's sexually attracted to men but doesn't act on it and he and Lucy married because they thought of each other as a good partner and parent. The way I see it this doesn't necessarily make him bisexual.

That's the bit that rankles you isn't it? You believe he's bi but doesn't want to call it that?

I didn't know that about Stephen by the way and it's indeed very cool he's so open about it.

Re:

[textualdeviance.livejournal.com]

Actually, Stephen has had male partners in the past, and was out as gay before he married Lucy.

And yes, a history of sex with both men and women does, in my book, qualify as bi. But labels or no, as long as someone's honest, and not trying to hide part of themselves, I'm cool with it.

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

And yes, a history of sex with both men and women does, in my book, qualify as bi.

I agree, but does he have a history of sex with women? He was out as gay before marrying Lucy. Being married and having kids together doesn't have to mean you're also sexually attracted to each other. He could mean he's married, has kids and still is gay.

I know of a couple who married because they saw each other as good partners in a non-sexual way and both wanted children and thought of the other as good parents. She got pregnant without having sex (and he's the father).