Visibility is an extremely valued aspect for many of those in the bisexual community.
It helps counter bi-erasure and biphobia by promoting acceptance and normalisation of bisexual identities, which helps bring about a sense of belonging and inclusion, particularly by increasing the representation of bi people and role models.
So, you can understand why those in the bi community are so thrilled to hear about a celebrity figure openly claiming that identity - something which was exactly the case for 82-year-old Severance star, Christopher Walken, who some fans have only just found out is bisexual.
After discovering the news, fans rushed to social media to share their surprise, with one fan writing: "OMG WHAT!"
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"No one was gonna tell me that Christopher Walken is bi?" quipped a second, while a third chimed in: "Wdym Christopher Walken has been out as bi for like 50 years and I’ve only just found out!"
A fourth penned: "Just found out Christopher Walken is bi. This was the representation I needed."
"How did I NOT know Christopher Walken was bi?! I love him!" gushed another.
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And a final fan echoed: "I just learned Christopher Walken is bi okay diva!"
Yep, the Hollywood A-lister - who has a whole bunch of accolades under his belt after starring in countless box-office smash-hits over the decades - is a longstanding member of the bi+ population.
He spoke directly about his sexuality back in 1973 during an interview with the entertainment mag, After Dark.
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"I suppose I think of the man I’m playing as bisexual, and I suppose that’s how I think of myself, too. I’d hate to think that I was harnessed to heterosexuality," he shared, referring to his character as Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice.
"I mean, my life is heterosexual, but I like to think that my head is bisexual, and I think it’s a good idea for everybody to start getting used to that notion because that way, one becomes aware of a lot more things," the Academy Award-winner added at the time.
Walken tied the knot with 81-year-old former casting director, Georgianne Walken, back in 1969.
The pair decided not to have any children, with Walken famously saying, per the Golden Globes in 2005, when speaking about playing the father of the bride in the comedy Wedding Crashers: "I don't have children. And I'm glad that I don't have children."
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He added: "I have two brothers and they have plenty of children, they come to my house and I am always very glad when they leave. I have a wife, I’ve been married for thirty-five years, and I have some cats, but I can open the door and they go out, so it’s quite nice."
Topics: Celebrity, LGBTQ, Social Media
Rhiannon Ingle