Why 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' is the latest to join the rank of Queerbaiting, while insulting the Bisexual Community.

 Okay, I don't know if anyone else is saying this about the show. But I sure as hell am. 

What is Queerbaiting, you might be asking. That's easy enough to answer -

Queerbaiting is when a show or movie uses the tease of a Queer character and/or Queer relationship to draw in LGBTQIA+ viewers with no intention of actually delivering. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty's Jeremiah Fisher is the latest victim of this ridiculous and unethical marketing nonsense. 

In the books, Jere is straight. However, the tv show made a different choice. Jenny Han - whom is also the author of the book series - decided to make Jere Bisexual. 

This was great news for the Queer Community. Having representation in a show that was projected to be a huge hit was a great step for us. Having that character be Bisexual, a group of our Community that has been facing way too much judgement and hate, made it even better. However, we were quickly let down. 

In season 1 episode 2, Jeremiah points out to Steven all the people he has kissed - which includes guys and girls. In Episode 3, there was a scene of Jere kissing a guy at a party where they were both drunk. 

Then absolutely no mention of his sexuality until Season 2 Episode 5 when Jere tells Conrad, offhandedly, that he went to prom with 'Blake.' Though at this point, we have no idea who Blake is, if they are male or female, or if Jere and Blake went as dates or just friends. 

Then, again, absolutely no mention, until Season 3 Episode 7, when the girls are telling Anika who's who of Jeremiah's friends. Belly casually says "Blake is Jere's ex.' One mystery solved. Thanks for clearing that up, Belly. And in episode 9, Redbird makes a throwaway comment to Jere that there are plenty of hot men and women for Jere to make out with. 

Not only is that it for Jere's 'Bisexuality', the only one of these events that we actually get to see is the drunken kiss at the party. We don't see Jere with any of the people he tells Steven about. We don't get to see Jere and Blake at the prom or their relationship at all. Everything is just casually mentioned and skated over. As if we are not supposed to realize that they were even said. 

Most of the show is this triangle between Jere, his brother Conrad, and their childhood friend Belly.  

So tell me, what the hell was the point of making Jere Bisexual, if it wasn't going to be a storyline?!  Nevermind! I can answer that. 

NONE!

 There was no good reason to make this change at all. The absolute only reason that fits here, is to get the Queer community to watch the show - ensuring its success. Because everyone knows that if the Queers are in your corner, we will die for you. It is a slap in the face to the LGBTQIA+ Community, as a whole. And to the Bisexual Community, in particular. 

I'd like to say that, with the announcement of the movie, all hope is not lost. But I have absolutely no faith in Jenny. After all she's no Todd Slavkin or Darren Swimmer. 

Honestly, I don't think most straight people have given it much thought. Jere's Bisexuality (or lack of) is not even a blip on their radar. What they are watching is this love triangle - choosing sides of who they want to win. And I get it. I would be too, if one of those characters wasn't a Shadow Queer.  

I am not pissed that Jere ended up with a girl. When you're Bisexual, you have a 50-50 shot of that happening. 

What I am pissed about is that we did not see any real indication of this Bisexuality. There was just Jere competing with his brother over their childhood friend. The only indications of Jere's interest in both sexes are the ones I already mentioned. And they could be seen as Jere 'experimenting' rather than being bisexual. 

FYI, Jenny - 'experimenting' does NOT equal Bisexual!!!! If experimentation was the point then Jenny should have been honest and upfront and just called it that. The word 'Bisexual' should have never come into play. 

As a very loud and outspoken Queer person, I am extremely protective of my community. We get too much hate from the real world. I do not tolerate it there and I do not tolerate it in media! 

 I scrutinize every Queer character and storyline that I see. I look for accuracy, authenticity, and for the love and care that the story and characters should be given. By the writers and show runners and producers and directors, as well as by the actors chosen to play those roles. Any hint of disservice to the community is a trigger for me.

I mean, Teen Wolf has been over since 2017 and Jeff Davis is still in the Top 5 of my least liked producers. Welcome to that list, Jenny Hahn!! 

My community is NOT here to be used for your top dollar or to make a name for yourself! We are human beings that deserve respect and acknowledgement and care. Our lives are not meant to be a marketing ploy or a joke or a tragedy. If you cannot give us the same respect and dignity you give straight couples, LEAVE US OUT OF IT!!!!  

I need more writers, show runners, movie people, and actors to take a lesson from Shadowhunters and MALEC and Harry Shum Jr and Matthew Daddario and Todd and Darren. For the love of Dionysus, please!