Was John Lennon Bisexual? | Page 25 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

her_magesty said
Well, to be fair, just because he didn’t make a pass at Paul doesn’t mean he wasn’t bisexual.  Paul’s assertion at this point in time was very “old-school hetero guy” mentality, IMHO.  If John wasn’t attracted to Paul, that doesn’t mean he was never attracted to any men, period.  I have speculated to myself about the possibility that John may have had a crush on Paul at some point in their time together but may have not acted on it, so Paul wouldn’t know. And while I think Paul was quite pretty as a young guy, attraction is subjective so there’s a possibility that John didn’t like Paul in that way at all, hence never making a move.

But either way, Yoko has famously outed John as bisexual posthumously in recent years based on actual conversations they had while he was still alive, and that’s super at odds with Paul’s statement in this interview.  Statements from Harry Nilsson and a friend of his Tony Manero also corroborate that he liked dudes sometimes.  John himself even mentioned it a few times, most notably in that self-interview he did for Andy Warhol.  My 2 cents are that John could have worn a neon, dayglow t-shirt that said in all caps, “I like dudes sometimes” and everyone would still be like, “No, he was straight as an arrow!”  Heteronormativity is a hell of a drug. 

But you know, it’s OK if John liked dudes sometimes.  As someone who’s not straight myself, I think it’s pretty cool.  I think it makes him even more relatable to me as a bisexual woman.  It’s like, “yeah man, I’ve had unrequited romantic and sexual feelings for other women in my life, too! I know those feels!”  Because there have been times that I really liked other girls and would have made some move if I felt confident enough to do so, or didn’t fear the rejection or alienation I could face if they weren’t into girls, or into me specifically.  So yeah.  Just my 2 cents andd humble opinion and all of that. 

@Expert Textpert, my sensitivity about it is mostly because people in the bi community are shunned not just by straight people, but by certain members of the LGBT community as well.  We are seen as being wishy-washy and indecisive, or just trying to be trendy.  It’s basically like we don’t exist.  I think it’s sad that even today people try to put everyone into one side of a gay and straight dichotomy when sexuality is really a spectrum.  That’s the reason why it kind of rubs me the wrong way.  I’ve had actual trouble in trying to form relationships because of my sexual orientation and the misconceptions and prejudices people have.   

Great post. Parts of it made me laugh in a good way. I understand where you are coming from. 

I’ve dated bi women and have had bi friends, and I am very accepting of gay and bi people. Don’t assume (and I don’t think you are at this point) that my language indicates a bias or prejudice.

I am very aware that sexuality is not black and white. 

I like thinking of John as bi as well. It adds an interesting dimension to his character and explains some of his sensitivity, confusion, and violence.

I am in a straight, monogamous relationship and I identify as straight. I would never be in a relationship with a man, but I understand what makes men attractive and I have an open mind.

Don’t stray from the gay.