Netflix's 'Big Mouth' Under Fire for Clumsy Depiction of Bisexuality and Pansexuality
Ali Wong's character is being blasted for an incorrect definition of pansexuality

In Season 3, Ali Wong plays a new student named Ali who is pansexual. When asked to explain what that means, she says, "Pansexual means I'm into boys, girls and everyone in between."
"I thought that was bisexual," Nick Kroll's character Nick says.
"No, bisexuality is so binary," Ali replies. "Being pansexual means my sexual preference isn't limited by gender identity… It's like, some of you borings like tacos, and some of you like burritos. And if you're bisexual, you like tacos and burritos. But I'm saying I like tacos and burritos, and I could be into a taco that was born a burrito, or a burrito that is transitioning into a taco, comprende? And honey, anything else on the fucking menu."
Guys, @aliwong is now on @bigmouth. It makes SO much sense. pic.twitter.com/5S76ezwIuD
— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) October 5, 2019
The clip has been met with extreme criticism from the LGBTQ+ community online, with many calling it transphobic, biphobic and panphobic.
As GLAAD explains [via Advocate], "A common misconception about bi folks is that they seek to reinforce a rigid gender binary, but the reality is that many bi people have 'the potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree,' as advocate Robyn Ochs describes. The pan identity presents an additional opportunity to express attraction to multiple genders."
Read some responses to the misstep below.
Not only is this biphobic, transphobic, and panphobic with extremely incorrect definitions, but they've made this weird image where pansexuality is seen as morally higher than bisexuality. Not only that, but everyone in the room treated the term pansexual like a dirty word. https://t.co/CqlMrkA0EM
— 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨 ✦ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐲𝐤𝐞 (@spicygemss) October 6, 2019
also really lame to see big mouth, a show i really love because of the amazing way it portrays the awkwardness of puberty so well, include something like this.
— joshBOOa rush (@JoshuaRush) October 7, 2019
i still think the show is good, i'm just kinda disappointed because clearly not a single bi person was asked about it
This is wrong and irresponsible. I get that it's a comedy, but this is presented as truth within the show. Very disappointing.
— Mara "Get Rid of the Nazis" Wilson (@MaraWilson) October 7, 2019
And to those who think Bi's aren't attracted to or don't date transgender or NB people... I could introduce you to some people who know otherwise. https://t.co/iV0Eaq7CCI
I really love Big Mouth and just saw The Scene from the new season and wow what an easily-avoidable offensive massive fuck-up!
— N is for Nicole, Who Fell Off a Cliffe (@Nicole_Cliffe) October 7, 2019
pretty grossed out that big mouth show came out and said pansexuality means you're willing to date trans people! the idea that attraction to a trans person means something about your sexuality is literally deadly but whatever. you can be straight, gay or bi and date trans people.
— Lorena Cupcake 🇲🇽 they / them (@lorenacupcake) October 7, 2019