I was wondering if you could explain your interpretation of what the difference between bi coding is and gay coding is when it comes to media? If not that’s okay, I love your fanfics and hope you’re having a lovely evening. :)
This is a really good question and definitely one that isn’t talked about or even acknowledged. With that said, I’m going to admit my fault in missing some things that people interpret as bi coding because I’m looking for my own kind of representation as a mlm, in any capacity, and typically put that under the umbrella term Gay which isn’t always great or helpful. But anyway, that’s enough throat clearing. Let’s us go and uhhh dig in:
I’m gonna use Mike as an example, if that’s alright, because I definitely think there is bi coding going on there whether or not that’s what’s going to happen. I think it’s bi coding [rather than gay coding with a side of “but he’s dating a girl now!”] is because of purpose and intent of those interactions. And without being too cut and dry about it, I think that’s what separates coding any kind of sexuality (or even foreshadowing relationship): the intent of interactions. Like, I think Mike’s bi coded because the moments he has with El-- those really powerful moments of silence and touch, kissing very rarely but at moments when you can tell the characters as children would definitely feel super heightened emotions and want to-- that are very real and very well written. But also, in a different way, he has those with Will too! He has moments of silence and touch, but in a way that isn’t a carbon copy of his relationship with a girl. His intent is the same to me; he loves (however you take that) these two people and has the capacity to care about them very deeply and, by his actions, wants to!
I think what gets a lot of people who see Will being coded as gay from the actions of Mike are because Mike’s actions have the same intensity that they have with El, if that makes sense. From a “Will is gay” perspective, Mike is holding his hand, going to his house without anyone else to check up on him, holding his shoulders, staying with him, crying at the thoughts of losing him (many times) etc and that is very pointed for Will’s world because that is unseen anywhere else and goes interestingly with the background commentary about Will (”fairy”, Lonnie’s comments, etc) so we read that as gay-- and sometimes accidentally fold Mike into that category too. But those “gay coded” interactions with Will are held so high and bring so much debate and excitement is because we have seen Mike do them before-- with a girl! The intent and intensity is the same for both his female and male relationships so one does not negate the other. So beyond Mike and in general interp, for me, if I see a character that has very similar interactions/intentions/reactions/emotional arcs with characters of different genders I see that as bi coding rather than gay coding.
So. Not to talk in circles too much because this is such an interesting question and I’m trying to be as intelligent as possible even though I’m mostly screaming that you have such a good eye to even ask this-- Intent is important but so is comparison, I guess? We are able to see Mike having multiple avenues for romantic love because there is more than one person in his life that causes those feelings. Since we don’t have those words coming from him, we have to read between the lines. But also I don’t want that to seem like he has to show interest in both to be considered bi-- because that’s problematic and wrong-- it’s just in this instance, because the language and openness isn’t there in 1983-85, for Mike that’s how we are going to see it and understand it.
I feel like that was such a non-answer, but I tried to compress my thoughts and not kill your dashes. But this was really great to think about-- I’m gonna keep thinking! Thank you!!!! ily