Tara Avery

I live in Diamond Bar, CA. I’m a cartoonist. “Gooch”, a bi-weekly webcomic about a bisexual man and his circle of friends is among my creations. I also run my family’s business. I’m from lots of different places, mostly Kansas, but California has become home for me.

Being bisexual means not having to police my attractions and being open to love people of different genders and orientations in different ways.

We don’t bite. Unless you’re into that.

I spent a long time telling myself that I had to commit to being solely attracted or committed to one gender or other. First I had to be a straight “man”, and I had to focus on my feelings toward women to the point of abnegating my desires for men and others. Later, I felt pressure from the gay community to train my attention exclusively on men. At every turn some desirous person drew me away from such narrow focus. I eventually came out as bisexual, which always felt intuitively right to me.

Having to come out to people over and over again, because they forget that being bi is even an option.

I have experienced a range of romances and sexual experiences of a breadth that most people only read about.

Sometimes they don’t believe me right away. They seem to fall into the habit of thinking I’m only attracted to one gender or other. They need regular reminding. Coming out is a lifelong activity not a one time task.