*Disclaimer: This article is NOT in any way trying to erase bisexuality as a valid identity. In fact, it is meant to clarify that being bisexual is legitimate and that sexuality, in general, is not a black-or-white issue.

Recently, I was scrolling down my Facebook feed (as I often do because I am a chronic procrastinator, but this isn’t about me) and I came across a lovely photo of two beautiful, black singers staring longingly into each other’s eyes. These two singers happened to be none other than the inimitable Alicia Keys and the lovable Jussie Smollett. The photo was a still from the most-tweeted prime-time television hit series Empire on its Facebook page.

(I know, my notification bar is trash. Sue me.)

Admittedly, I was a fan of Empire until the beginning of this past season. Its soap-operatic plot devices and dramatic style proved too much for me to deal with, much to the chagrin of its groupies—I mean enthusiastic friends and family who adore the show. I would soon find out that this season’s seemingly unbelievable plotlines would actually prove to be realistic. According to my Empire-watching friends (and Google), in a recent episode, Keys starred as jaded pop star Skye Summers who wanted her music to have substance. After being challenged to sing her truth by Jamal (Jussie), the duo produces an activist anthem called “Powerful.” After which, they shared a passionate kiss. OK, sweet moment. The twist? Jamal is gay.

Well, once I looked at the comments on what I thought was a lovely picture, I realized that this union caused pandemonium in the Empire fandom:

*GASP* A GAY MAN KISSED A WOMAN? BLASPHEMY. SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF THROWN OUT OF THE WINDOW. I AM DONE WITH THE SHOW.

Seriously? Of all of the show's unbelievable plot lines, you can't believe a gay man might kiss a woman? Y'all sound like Lucious Lyons with your blatant homophobia and biphobia. Before anyone chimes in, I'm not calling Jamal bisexual. He is clearly a proud and open gay man. What I am saying is the reaction to this jolt of same-sex attraction in Jamal is blatantly erasing the idea that bisexuality exists, as well as the idea that a gay-identifying man can indeed like a woman every once in a while. If the idea of a gay man being momentarily attracted to a woman makes you want to stop watching a television series, maybe your bigotry crown is on loose.

I mean really, Ryan Macintyre? Literally no gay man has ever been attracted to a woman ever? Is your real name Bill O'Reilly? Because you sound like a bigot. Upon further research, Ryan Macintyre, I found on your public Facebook page that you are actually an out and proud gay man. So clearly the ignorance goes beyond just straight people *sips tea*. But I digress. Don't think I missed your ignorant comment, Linda Small (who apparently is a motor vehicle). You are wrong. BI DOES EXIST.

Jamal kissing Skye was not meant to be seen as an unbelievable plot twist. In fact, it was meant to reflect the very real truth about sexuality: it is fluid. According to showrunner, Illene Chaiken, in an interview with Variety:

"The writers were already breaking a story in which — shock of shocks — Jamal hooks up with a girl, after all he’s been through. It’s a conversation that happens among gay people about sexual fluidity — about being devoutly gay if you will, but there’s a spectrum. There are some folks who aren’t attracted to people of the opposite sex at all, but there are some gay folks who sometimes do find themselves unexpectedly and momentarily attracted. Especially when you’re involved in a creative endeavor, those sparks can flare up because when you do something creative with someone and it really catches fire, there’s just nothing sexier...We’re very clear that Jamal is gay and Jamal is clear that he’s gay, but it just happened. Isn’t personal agency all about being able to act on something in the moment and owning yourself and not having to explain it or justify it?"

Shocker: Sexuality is fluid!

If you disagree, I encourage you to research Alfred Kinsey real quick.

TLDR: Any person of any orientation can be attracted to anyone. Period. It is not so out of the realm of possibility that someone who identifies as gay can like the opposite gender, just as it is entirely possible for someone who identifies as straight can like the same gender. Sexuality isn't something that can be pinned down to two simple sides of a binary. There is an infinitude of gray area, y'all!

From my personal experience, I can’t think of one gay man I am friends with who didn’t admit to some sort of attraction to girls. However, these same gay men emphasized they would never call themselves bisexual or actively seek out dating a girl.

I’m not exactly sure what the obsession with sexuality is in our culture. You’ll hardly ever meet a person, queer or otherwise, who doesn’t act totally surprised when a famous person “comes out of the closet.” It shouldn’t be such a big deal. But it is. People are entitled to their privacy, but also their truth. In her essay, “A Tale Of Three Coming Out Stories”, Roxane Gay wrote:

"When public figures don’t provide outward evidence of their sexuality, our desire to classify intensifies. Any number of celebrities are dogged by “gay rumors,” because we cannot quite place them into a given category. We act like placing these people in categories will have some impact on our lives, or that it is our responsibility, when, most of the time, it won’t change anything at all. There is nothing in my life that is impacted by knowing Ricky Martin, for example, is gay. The only thing satisfied by that information is my curiosity."

Jussie Smollett himself reflected this sentiment in his stereotype-shattering backstage interview with Ellen DeGeneres.

"There’s never been a closet that I’ve been in. I don’t have a closet, but I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home. That’s why I choose not to talk about my personal life, but there is without a doubt no closet that I have ever been in, and I just wanted to make that clear."

There you have it, queerphobic-Empire-watchers, Jamal just politely told you to mind your own business.

So what does this all mean, exactly? I’ll tell ya:

SEXUALITY. IS. NOT. BLACK. AND. WHITE.

SEXUALITY. IS. FLUID.

Write that down. Mail it to yourself. Open the envelope. Read it aloud. Know it. Believe it.

That is all.

For further research, Buzzfeed conveniently offers an internet-friendly test to see where you fall on the Kinsey scale. Check it out.

(I'm talking to you, Linda Small.)