Features / Bisexual
Photographer captures hidden bi identities
A photographer’s journey with his own sexuality inspired a major photography project that explores hidden bisexual identities.
Mike French set out to capture the relationships of opposite-sex couples, where at least one part of the couple is bisexual, on camera.
The freelance photographer says the aim of the Affinity project is to normalise identities and encourage conversations outside of the queer community on bisexual visibility.
is needed now More than ever
Mike, who lives in Portishead and works across Bristol and beyond, has been in a relationship with his wife since childhood and his bisexuality was rarely discussed.
It was during Covid that the photographer had time to think about his identity and where he fit in the world.
“There’s a disconnect where no one really talks about bisexuality, especially in men. It got me thinking, I could start these conversations. Be the change you want to see, and all that,” explains Mike.
Mike French’s journey with his own sexuality inspired the photography project that explores and captures hidden bisexual identities
The project has given Mike the ability to contribute to conversations surrounding bisexuality using his photography skills.
“It’s multi-faceted really, it’s a form of activism,” he tells Bristol24/7.
“On top of that it’s a great conversation starter for myself.”
Mike says he has recently met with Sian Jones, co-chair of the London Bi Network.
The photography project is running in parallel with Mike’s own journey of exploring his identity. He reflected how one of the conversations with a participant felt cathartic for him, as experiences of feeling an invisible identity were shared.
Creating conversations around a taboo subject
Speaking about the importance of the subject, Mike says: “I want to normalise identities. My aim is to encourage conversations outside the queer community.
“It matters from an identity point of view. If I can make half a dozen other people talk about it in the comfort of their own homes, it creates a shift in attitude.”
Mike’s aim is to normalise identities and encourage conversations outside of the queer community on bisexual visibility
Creating these conversations is important to Mike from personal experience. When he and his wife first spoke about his bisexuality, it was a taboo subject. Not to be spoken about outside the home.
The topic of Mike’s sexuality was kept between him and his wife in order to protect from invasive and biphobic questions. While it’s no longer like that, Mike knows it remains this way for other couples with the same experience.
A lot of the time, people will just assume people in same or opposite-sex relationships will be either homosexual or heterosexual.
“I don’t tend to fit into the box surrounding queer stereotypes. People never assume that I might be queer. It’s absolutely a necessary conversation to be had,” said Mike.
“It should never feel like you’re having to come out to someone for a reason. Or to change perceptions or pre-requisite questions. This project is about helping to establish bisexual identity.”
For a lot of couples Mike has photographed, the experience has been validating. With Mark saying all of the feedback received so far on the project has been positive.
Challenging stereotypes around bi identity
Mike says: “What I’ve found is that with a lot of the couple’s experiences vary greatly by gender. The women feel hyper-sexualised by their bisexuality. Whilst the men feel unable to express their identity without fear of biphobia.”
Mike is continuing to look for couples to photograph in Bristol and the surrounding area.
“All of the photos I’ve taken so far show the couples very visibly. With one of the couples I’m photographing, one of the members doesn’t want to be visible,” he tells Bristol24/7.
He hopes having the option to not be visible will encourage more couples to take part in the project, saying: “It can be quite a big thing to come out so publicly. People not wanting to be visible contributes to the point that bisexuality is still not widely visible. It can be seen as a taboo subject, so that has been reflected in the project too.”
Affinity aims to challenges stereotypes and break taboos around bi identity
Mike says there was no definitive end to the project, adding: “The hope is that as queer identities in straight-appearing relationships become less stigmatised, the project will become a celebration of the diverse identities we all share.”
Mike is seeking bisexual individuals in opposite-sex couples to partake in the project. Anyone interested in taking part can contact him via www.mikefrenchcreative.co.uk/contact/.
All photos: Mike French
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