7 Bi Romances That Swept Us Off Our Feet

When I was growing up, there were virtually no bi characters on television, and there were certainly no bi leads on the television. Occasionally an edgy or arty movie would have a freewheeling manic bi woman. Sometimes there'd be a tragically confused gay man who promptly died, but there were no great sweeping romances with bi characters.

I was recently pondering how much has changed in the last 20-some years since Ellen came out in the famous "Puppy Episode" in 1997. The world is not perfect, but now we actually get to see queer characters experience those over-the-top romances that used to be reserved for hetero characters. I'm so glad that a whole generation gets to grow up with some real bi romances. 

Here are some of my favorites. 

Quentin Coldwater and Eliot Waugh

I really loved how this romance unfolded. At the beginning of the series, I really loathed Quentin (honestly, he never became my favorite) and thought that Eliot’s flirtation would be completely one-sided. Instead, their friendship evolved into something profound. Then they had a threesome with Margo. I once again rolled my eyes. Poor little Quentin got seduced by the predatory queer.

Then the show really did surprise me. Their friendship continued to grow, and it became apparent that they really did love each other. Then they fell in love. Like really fell in love, and Quentin was vulnerable and asked Eliot to give it a go.

Of course, a lot of time travel, possession, travel between worlds, and other magical problems get in their way, but at the end of the day, the two have an incredibly romantic moment that makes up for all the years of will they/won’t they that the show put us through.

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy

Since Suicide Squad came out in 2016, many of us have been wondering if we’d ever get to see Harley with her real better half. The Joker is great and all (if you like abusive, manipulative clowns), but we all know that Harley belongs with Poison Ivy.

Those of us who are no longer young grew up on the animated Batman, the show that introduced us to Harley Quinn. After being his faithful sidekick, The Joker blames Harley for a failed bank robbery and kicks her out of the gang. She decides to go it on her own and prove herself. That’s when she meets Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy takes Harley Quinn under her wing and keeps telling her that she doesn’t need The Joker. At one point, they start living together in what looks a lot like a relationship.

Later iterations of the character confirm that Harley and Ivy are in a relationship. Margot Robbie (who plays Harley in the recent movies and produced Birds of Prey (2020)) said that she wanted to explore the relationship further in the upcoming movies.

Yeah. If you read the comics you know that Poison Ivy and Harley have an intimate relationship. In some comics they convey it as a friendship; in other comics you can see that they’re actually sexually involved as a couple. I’ve been trying to — I would love to have Poison Ivy thrown into the universe, because the Harley and Poison Ivy relationship is one of my favorite aspects of the comics, so I’m looking to explore that on screen.

2/10/2022 — If you need more excellent bi Harley Quinn, definitely check out the new animated series Harley Quinn (2019-present).

Lucifer Morningstar and Chloe Decker

Lucifer is a shamelessly hedonistic, openly bi nightclub owner. He's also the devil. He teams up with Detective Chloe Decker to help solve crimes, and there's a whole reason why, but I'm not going to get into it. He is immediately attracted to her, but it is unclear if it's anything more than that. Lucifer is shown as having many many one-night stands with men, women, and groups. 

As the series progresses, he develops real human friendships and a much deeper affection for Chloe. She begins to trust him more, she is understandably skeptical of a man who claims to be the devil, and the romantic tension grows. And then it turns out that their romance was, in fact, written in the stars. 

Eve Polastri and Villanelle

Most great television romances would be less great in real life. These two definitely epitomize dysfunction, but they are so fun to watch. Villanelle is a genius but an impulsive assassin, and Eve is an analyst who is helping to catch her in Killing Eve.

Eve is married, and it often seems like the only part of her relationship with her husband that is in really good shape is the sex. Although she is not a field agent, she begins to feel a rapport with Villanelle as she investigates the trail of bodies left behind. 

Villanelle is drawn to Eve and begins to taunt her. She sends her a suitcase of designer clothes, expensive perfume, and leaves a trail of breadcrumbs for Eve to follow. As the game of cat and mouse heats up, they end up working together to survive, and Eve has to choose between losing herself in her grand passion and reality. 

David Rose and Patrick Brewer

When we met David Rose, he was vain, self-obsessed, spoiled, and whiny. However, in the final season of Schitt’s Creek, he’s still a lot of those things, but a more lovable version.

We’ve watched David bungle his way through an incredibly awkward open relationship/near threesome with Stevie and Jake. We’ve watched David use wine to come out as bi “I like the wine, not the label." And finally, we watched David fall deeply in love.

Patrick is so many things that David is not, but watching the two fall in love made me go "aww" more times than I can count. Like many others, I loved seeing their wedding on the series finale.

Bob Belcher and Linda Belcher

"Bobbbbbby..." I have no idea how to type the unique sound of Linda exclaiming her husband’s name, but if you’ve watched Bob’s Burgers, you know what I’m talking about. Bob is happily married to his wife, but there was one extremely stressful Thanksgiving (aren’t they all?) in which he starts up an accidental flirtation with the butcher.

Bob may not be the best at remembering birthdays, anniversaries, or any holiday other than Thanksgiving, but there is not a doubt in the world that the Belcher family is full of love.

Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones

Okay, this one is getting downright vintage, but I love Captain Jack and Ianto so much that I am including them. Back in 2006, there weren’t a lot of bi characters on television or in the movies. There weren’t even that many out celebrities. Captain Jack Harkness meant a lot to many of us. It was truly remarkable to see an open and out bi male lead (it still is a rarity).

Jack wooed women, Jack wooed aliens, and Jack wooed Ianto.

Before Jack, Ianto also had a girlfriend who he loved so much that he broke all the rules in an attempt to save her life.

Ianto is frequently unsure of where he stands with Jack, but it becomes clear that they both care deeply for one another. In their devastating last scene together, Jack and Ianto confess their love for each other.

I am happy to report that there are many, many more amazing bi romances gracing our screens these days. What are some of your current favorites?